Answer inquiries and provide information to the general public, customers, visitors, and other interested parties regarding activities conducted at establishment and location of departments, offices, and employees within the organization.
Receptionists and Information Clerks
SOC: 43-4171 O*NET: 43-4171.00
Median Salary
$38,010
per year
Job Growth
📉 -1.7%
Slower (2024-2034)
Annual Openings
105.1
projected jobs/year
Education Level
High school diploma or equivalent
Job Zone 2
Answer inquiries and provide information to the general public, customers, visitors, and other interested parties regarding activities conducted at establishment and location of departments, offices, and employees within the organization.
What does a Receptionists and Information Clerks do?
How much can you earn?
Entry Level
$28,760
10th percentile
Early Career
$33,960
25th percentile
Median
$38,010
50th percentile
Experienced
$45,130
75th percentile
Top Earners
$49,950
90th percentile
National Salary Distribution
10th
$28,760
25th
$33,960
Middle 50%
MEDIAN
$38,010
Mean: $39,460
75th
$45,130
90th
$49,950
Middle 50% of earners
Median salary
Mean (average)
Key Insights
- •Salary range spans $21,190 from entry level to top earners
- •Middle 50% earn between $33,960 and $45,130
- •Salary spread is 29.4% around the median, showing moderate variation
- •Total national employment: 910,180 professionals
What's the job outlook?
Job Market Intelligence
Low Demand
Market demand
Medium Risk
Automation risk
Current Employment
National Employment:947,500
Top Industries
Ambulatory Health Care Services33.2%
Offices of Physicians14.8%
Other Services (except Public Administration)12%
10-Year Outlook
Growth Rate:-1.7%
Annual Openings:105,100
Employment Projections
2025 (Current)947,500
Current
2035 (Projected)931,600
-1.7%
-16,000
Employment Change
-1.7%
Growth Rate
10
Year Projection
Growth Category: More slowly than average
Geographic Salary & Employment Data
Explore where Receptionists and Information Clerks professionals work across the United States
Showing 15 of 50 locations
California
82,470 jobs$44,1000.77x
Texas
78,330 jobs$35,2100.95x
New York
65,010 jobs$43,0801.15x
Florida
63,280 jobs$36,8101.09x
New Jersey
42,060 jobs$41,6501.68x
Illinois
40,370 jobs$37,4001.13x
Pennsylvania
37,830 jobs$36,8101.07x
Ohio
30,850 jobs$35,9200.95x
Washington
26,500 jobs$44,7101.28x
Georgia
26,080 jobs$36,1000.91x
Wisconsin
25,580 jobs$41,1501.49x
Michigan
25,230 jobs$37,4700.98x
Virginia
23,360 jobs$37,0600.97x
Arizona
23,220 jobs$38,7301.22x
North Carolina
20,080 jobs$35,4400.69x
Understanding the Data
Location Quotient (LQ):
- • LQ > 1.0: More jobs than national average
- • LQ = 1.0: Same as national average
- • LQ < 1.0: Fewer jobs than national average
Data Source:
Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), May 2025
Key Growth Factors
- •Employment decline projected
What skills do you need?
Top 10 Most Important Skills
#1
Speaking
100%
#2
Customer and Personal Service
100%
#3
Oral Expression
100%
#4
Active Listening
92%
#5
Oral Comprehension
92%
#6
Service Orientation
82%
#7
Speech Recognition
82%
#8
Administrative
80%
#9
Critical Thinking
74%
#10
Speech Clarity
74%
Skills Overview
Speaking
advanced5.0
100%
Customer and Personal Service
advanced5.0
100%
Oral Expression
advanced5.0
100%
Active Listening
advanced4.6
92%
Oral Comprehension
advanced4.6
92%
Service Orientation
intermediate4.1
82%
Speech Recognition
intermediate4.1
82%
Administrative
intermediate4.0
80%
Skills are rated on a scale of 0-5, with 5 being the most important. The complexity level indicates how advanced the skill typically needs to be.
Filter:
Sort by:
Speaking
advancedImportance100%
skills
5.0/5.0
Customer and Personal Service
advancedImportance100%
knowledge
5.0/5.0
Oral Expression
advancedImportance100%
abilities
5.0/5.0
Active Listening
advancedImportance92%
skills
4.6/5.0
Oral Comprehension
advancedImportance92%
abilities
4.6/5.0
Service Orientation
intermediateImportance82%
skills
4.1/5.0
Speech Recognition
intermediateImportance82%
abilities
4.1/5.0
Administrative
intermediateImportance80%
knowledge
4.0/5.0
Critical Thinking
intermediateImportance74%
abilities
3.7/5.0
Speech Clarity
intermediateImportance74%
abilities
3.7/5.0
Social Perceptiveness
intermediateImportance66%
skills
3.3/5.0
Written Comprehension
intermediateImportance66%
abilities
3.3/5.0
Highly Transferable Skills
These skills are valuable across multiple career paths, making career transitions easier:
Office Clerks, General89%
5 shared skills
Library Assistants, Clerical88%
5 shared skills
Registered Nurses80%
5 shared skills
Freight Forwarders80%
5 shared skills
Community Health Workers80%
5 shared skills
Counter and Rental Clerks80%
5 shared skills
Skills by Career Stage
Entry Level
Must Have:
- ✓Speaking
- ✓Active Listening
- ✓Service Orientation
- ✓Customer and Personal Service
- ✓Administrative
Learn on the Job:
- →Social Perceptiveness
- →English Language
- →Reading Comprehension
Mid Career
Expected:
- ✓Speaking
- ✓Active Listening
- ✓Service Orientation
- ✓Customer and Personal Service
- ✓Administrative
Senior Level
Mastery Required:
- ★Speaking
- ★Active Listening
- ★Service Orientation
- ★Customer and Personal Service
- ★Administrative
Skill Development Tips
- •Focus on developing the top 5 skills first - they have the highest impact on career success
- •Transferable skills open doors to related careers and provide flexibility
- •Balance technical skills with soft skills for well-rounded professional development
- •Entry-level positions prioritize foundational skills that can be built upon over time
What technology will you use?
Technology & Digital Skills
Essential technology proficiencies for Receptionists and Information Clerks
Technology Intensity
Very High
Digital Literacy Requirements
This career requires expert digital literacy
1
Basic
2
Intermediate
3
Advanced
4
Expert
Key Digital Competencies:
Advanced software proficiencySystem architecture understandingAutomation and scriptingEmerging technology adaptationTechnical problem-solving
🔥
Hot Technologies in Demand
These technologies are currently trending and highly sought after in this field
Intuit QuickBooks
🔥 Hot TechMicrosoft Dynamics
🔥 Hot TechMicrosoft Outlook
🔥 Hot TechMicrosoft Office software
🔥 Hot TechMicrosoft Windows
🔥 Hot TechMicrosoft PowerPoint
🔥 Hot TechMicrosoft Excel
🔥 Hot TechGoogle Docs
🔥 Hot TechMicrosoft Word
🔥 Hot TechTechnology Stack
Technology Stack Overview
Key technologies used in this career
Intuit QuickBooks
Microsoft Dynamics
Microsoft Outlook
Microsoft Office software
Microsoft Windows
Microsoft PowerPoint
Microsoft Excel
Google Docs
Microsoft Word
📚 Technology Learning Resources
Recommended Certifications
- •Vendor-specific software certifications
- •Industry-recognized technology credentials
- •Professional development courses
Online Learning Platforms
- •LinkedIn Learning - Comprehensive technology courses
- •Coursera - University-level programs
- •Udemy - Practical skills training
💡 Technology Skill Development Tips
- •Focus on mastering hot technologies first - they're currently most in-demand
- •Build a portfolio demonstrating your proficiency with key tools and software
- •Stay current through continuous learning - technology evolves rapidly
- •Consider vendor certifications to validate your skills to employers
What's the work environment like?
🏢
Location
MOSTLY INDOOR
💪
Physical Demand
MODERATE
👥
Team Orientation
MOSTLY TEAM
🤝
Customer Interaction
CONSTANT
💡Is This Work Environment Right for You?
Consider these factors when evaluating if you'll thrive in this work environment:
- •Are you comfortable working in mostly indoor environments?
- •Can you meet moderate physical demands?
- •Do you enjoy mostly team team environments?
- •Are you comfortable working with safety protocols and protective equipment?
What are the key tasks?
Tasks & Responsibilities
18
Core Tasks
8
Daily Tasks
20
Work Activities
0
Emerging Tasks
Filter:
Sort by:
Operations & Execution (1)Documentation & Record-Keeping (8)Management & Supervision (1)General Responsibilities (6)Analysis & Evaluation (1)Planning & Development (1)
1
Operate telephone switchboard to answer, screen, or forward calls, providing information, taking messages, or scheduling appointments.
🔴Daily
Importance:
Operations & Execution100% perform100%
2
Receive payment and record receipts for services.
🔴Daily
Importance:
Documentation & Record-Keeping97% perform98%
3
Perform administrative support tasks, such as proofreading, transcribing handwritten information, or operating calculators or computers to work with pay records, invoices, balance sheets, or other documents.
🔴Daily
Importance:
Documentation & Record-Keeping94% perform96%
4
Greet persons entering establishment, determine nature and purpose of visit, and direct or escort them to specific destinations.
🔴Daily
Importance:
Management & Supervision91% perform94%
5
Hear and resolve complaints from customers or the public.
🔴Daily
Importance:
General Responsibilities88% perform92%
6
File and maintain records.
🔴Daily
Importance:
Documentation & Record-Keeping85% perform90%
7
Transmit information or documents to customers, using computer, mail, or facsimile machine.
🔴Daily
Importance:
General Responsibilities82% perform88%
8
Schedule appointments and maintain and update appointment calendars.
🔴Daily
Importance:
Documentation & Record-Keeping79% perform86%
9
Analyze data to determine answers to questions from customers or members of the public.
🟡Weekly
Importance:
Analysis & Evaluation76% perform84%
10
Provide information about establishment, such as location of departments or offices, employees within the organization, or services provided.
🟡Weekly
Importance:
General Responsibilities73% perform82%
💡 Key Takeaways
- •Daily tasks focus primarily on operations & execution activities
- •39% of tasks are performed by most workers in this occupation
- •Career advancement brings increased leadership and strategic responsibilities
What career paths are available?
Career Pathways
0
Advancement Opportunities
0
Lateral Move Options
0%
Avg. Salary Increase
Advancement Opportunities
Typical career progression paths from Receptionists and Information Clerks
💡 Career Planning Tips
- •Most successful advancement happens after 3-5 years of experience
- •Lateral moves can provide valuable cross-functional experience for future leadership roles
- •Focus on developing skills that are transferable across multiple career paths
- •Consider industry trends when planning long-term career moves
Is this career right for you?
Personality & Values Fit
Is This Career Right for You?
Receptionists and Information Clerks professionals typically have a CES Holland code and highly value relationships
CConventional
EEnterprising
SSocial
Important Personality Traits
Work styles that contribute to success as a Receptionists and Information Clerks
Integrity
CriticalIntegrity
Importance Level4.54
Self-Control
Very ImportantSelf-Control
Importance Level4.43
Dependability
Very ImportantDependability
Importance Level4.39
Stress Tolerance
Very ImportantStress Tolerance
Importance Level4.28
Cooperation
Very ImportantCooperation
Importance Level4.20
Concern for Others
Very ImportantConcern for Others
Importance Level4.20
Complete Work Styles Profile
Integrity
4.5
Self-Control
4.4
Dependability
4.4
Stress Tolerance
4.3
Cooperation
4.2
Concern for Others
4.2
Attention to Detail
4.2
Adaptability/Flexibility
4.0
Independence
4.0
Social Orientation
4.0
💡 Tips for Career Fit Success
- •While personality fit is important, skills can be developed with practice and training
- •Consider informational interviews to better understand the day-to-day personality requirements
- •Work environments vary by employer - research specific companies for cultural fit
- •Your interests and values may evolve - reassess periodically throughout your career
What education is required?
Education Level
High school diploma or equivalent
Typical duration: High school diploma or GED
Preparation Level
Job Zone 2
Some Preparation Needed
Experience Needed
Some previous work-related skill, knowledge, or experience may be helpful
📚 Education Requirement
Required Level:High school diploma or equivalent
These occupations usually require a high school diploma and may require some vocational training or job-related course work.
Training:
Training of a few months to a year
💼 Experience Requirement
Some previous work-related skill, knowledge, or experience may be helpful
Common pathways to gain experience:
- • Some previous work-related skill, knowledge, or experience
- • Vocational school programs (6 months to 2 years)
- • Industry certifications helpful
2
Job Zone Two: Some Preparation Needed
These occupations usually require a high school diploma and may require some vocational training or job-related course work.
Some previous work-related skill, knowledge, or experienceVocational school programs (6 months to 2 years)Industry certifications helpful
Ready to Start Your Journey?
Explore educational programs that can help you become a Receptionists and Information Clerks.
Browse Training Programs →Trade Colleges That Train for Receptionists and Information Clerks
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