Receptionist Salary in 2024:
A Comprehensive Guide
Looking to explore Receptionists’ salaries in the United States?
We created this guide to help you learn about the average Receptionist salary, non-monetary perks, benefits and more.
How Much Does a Receptionist Make?
The average Receptionist salary in the United States is $3,049.17 a month or $36,590 per year, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS).
The average wage for a Receptionist is $17.59 per hour.
What could I earn?
Find out how your salary compares to the average Receptionist salary.Average Receptionist Base Salary:
What can I earn as Receptionist? Your salary is $0.00 on the US national average.Although some Receptionists can earn as little as $12.95 (10th percentile), some can earn as much as $22.77 per hour (90th percentile).
[Source: Bureau of Labor Statistics]
This bar graph is interactive. Hover your mouse over different parts of the graph to see detailed data.
Being in the 90th percentile means that you are earning more than 90% of all Receptionists in the United States.
Top-earning Receptionists thus make $47,361, and they are merely 10% of all Receptionists.
Being in the 10th percentile, however, means that you earn less than 90% of the group. That means that the annual salary of a Receptionist in the 10th percentile is $26,936.
Receptionist Salary by Year
In 2023, the average base salary for Receptionists was $36,590 or $17.59 hourly, while in 2022 Receptionists were averaging $34,600 yearly or $16.64 hourly.
This upward trend is displayed in the chart below.
How Much Does a Receptionist Make Hourly?
The average hourly wage for a Receptionist in the United States is $17.59.
How Much Does a Receptionist Make Weekly?
The average weekly Receptionist salary in the United States is $703.6.
What Impacts Receptionist Salaries?
There are multiple factors that can affect a Receptionist’s salary.
From different states to experience and industry in which the Receptionist works, explore some of the main factors affecting Receptionist salaries below.
Experience
Experienced Receptionists are often more likely to receive higher salaries than their counterparts with no prior experience.
Industry
Receptionists work in nearly all industries, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics. Receptionists who work in Postal Service earn higher salaries than Receptionists working in financial institutions, for example.
Explore the top-paying industries for Receptionists below:
| Industry | Annual mean wage |
|---|---|
| Postal Service (Federal Government) | $ 67,210 |
| Scenic and Sightseeing Transportation, Water | $ 59,870 |
| Web Search Portals, Libraries, Archives, and Other Information Services | $ 51,360 |
| Securities, Commodity Contracts, and Other Financial Investments and Related Activities | $ 48,430 |
| Electric Power Generation, Transmission and Distribution | $ 47,270 |
Type of establishment
Receptionists can work in a legal office, a hotel or a healthcare institution. Depending on the employer, they can earn different salaries based on industry trends, company budget and specific tasks they will perform in the role.
Skills and expertise
Receptionists who have additional skills (proficiency in multiple languages, administrative software) can earn higher wages than their counterparts with little to no additional expertise.
Market demand
In areas in which there are many Receptionist job openings but not enough qualified individuals, Receptionist salaries may be higher.
Best-Paying States for Receptionists
By looking at the map of the United States, you can see that Receptionists working across states earn different salaries due to different factors such as cost of living and market demand.
Explore the below map to see different Receptionist compensations across the U.S.
[The latest data collected from the Bureau of Labor Statistics and the labor/employment departments of the respective states]
This map is interactive. Hover your mouse over different parts of the map to see detailed data.
The District of Columbia offers the highest Receptionist salary at $43,700 per year. However, when it comes to the top-paying states for Receptionists, these include California ($42,920), Washington ($41,950) and New York ($41,760).
On the other hand, the states that offer the lowest wages to Receptionists include West Virginia ($30,030), Louisiana ($30,260) and Mississippi ($30,260).
| State | Avg. Salary |
|---|---|
| Alabama | $31,464 |
| Alaska | $40,980 |
| Arizona | $37,160 |
| Arkansas | $32,570 |
| California | $42,920 |
| Colorado | $39,000 |
| Connecticut | $40,320 |
| Delaware | $34,210 |
| Florida | $34,820 |
| Georgia | $35,210 |
| Hawaii | $39,110 |
| Idaho | $33,290 |
| Illinois | $36,990 |
| Indiana | $33,850 |
| Iowa | $33,790 |
| Kansas | $33,040 |
| Kentucky | $31,310 |
| Louisiana | $30,260 |
| Maine | $38,470 |
| Maryland | $38,360 |
| Massachusetts | $41,570 |
| Michigan | $35,610 |
| Minnesota | $37,600 |
| Mississippi | $30,260 |
| Missouri | $34,060 |
| Montana | $33,660 |
| Nebraska | $34,836 |
| Nevada | $35,990 |
| New Hampshire | $37,310 |
| New Jersey | $39,670 |
| New Mexico | $33,130 |
| New York | $41,760 |
| North Carolina | $34,000 |
| North Dakota | $37,080 |
| Ohio | $33,720 |
| Oklahoma | $32,240 |
| Oregon | $38,990 |
| Pennsylvania | $34,410 |
| Rhode Island | $39,850 |
| South Carolina | $32,800 |
| South Dakota | $34,300 |
| Tennessee | $32,710 |
| Texas | $33,330 |
| Utah | $34,910 |
| Vermont | $36,140 |
| Virginia | $35,200 |
| Washington | $41,950 |
| West Virginia | $30,030 |
| Wisconsin | $37,390 |
| Wyoming | $36,260 |
| District of Columbia | $43,700 |
Receptionist Salaries in Major Cities
The average Receptionist salary can vary not only from state to state, but also from city to city.
Out of the four major U.S. cities, New York City offers the highest salary to Receptionist at $42,150 per year, while Miami offers the lowest compensation at $35,890 annually.
Explore the average salaries across the major U.S. cities below:
New York City
Average annual wage
$42,150
Number of Employees
87,340
Los Angeles
Average annual wage
$40,850
Number of Employees
26,560
Chicago
Average annual wage
$37,780
Number of Employees
33,740
Miami
Average annual wage
$35,890
Number of Employees
23,320
Benefits & Perks That Receptionists Often Receive
According to Statista, employees are still most likely to switch jobs to receive a higher salary. However, that doesn’t mean that they don’t care about non-monetary perks and benefits that come with a role.
In fact, while 32% of U.S. employees would be willing to change jobs for a better salary, 26% would do so to receive access to better benefits.
Underscoring the significance of these non-monetary perks, the top benefits for U.S. employees include:
- Employer-covered healthcare
- Life insurance
- Pension and retirement plans
- Mental health assistance
- Employee discounts
In the case of Receptionists, some of the most common non-monetary perks and benefits they receive are:
Health and wellness benefits
Receptionists can often benefits such as medical, dental and vision insurance. Additionally, depending on the employer, Receptionists may receive wellness perks such as gym discounts or access to a company’s fitness facility.
Paid time off (PTO)
Considering that less than 50% of hospitality workers have access to paid vacation, generous PTO policies can help Receptionists take time off without worrying about deductions in their compensation.
Retirement savings plans
Offering a retirement plan like 401 (k) plans is a common way through which employers can attract qualified Receptionists and offer them financial security.
Transportation benefits
Subsidies for public transportation or parking expenses help reduce the stress to a Receptionist’s budget through a reduction of commuting costs.
Employee discounts
Providing discounts on company products or services, as well as discounts at partner businesses, can help Receptionists save money on purchases and enjoy additional perks. For example, Receptionists working in spas or resorts often get discounted access to the facility’s amenities.
How Much Do Similar Careers to Receptionists Get Paid?
Receptionists in the U.S. earn more than what Hosts/Hostesses earn. They also earn 3% more than Servers, but about 9% less than Concierges.
| Job Title | Avg Salary |
|---|---|
| Host/Hostess | $30,750 |
| Server | $35,457 |
| Concierge | $40,230 |
Receptionist Salary Data Methodology
OysterLink values transparency in salary information. We gather data from the government’s official job source — the Bureau of Labor Statistics — and combine it with estimates from reputable online job boards to provide the most up-to-date insights. Learn more about our methodology.
Receptionist Salary FAQ
According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, the highest-paid Receptionists work in the Postal Service ($67,210 per year) industry, followed by those working in the Scenic and Sightseeing Transportation, Water ($59,870) sectors.
Yes, Receptionists can advance their careers. By gaining experience, additional skills and certifications and networking, Receptionists can move up the ladder and advance their careers to become Office Managers, Hotel Managers and more.
When talking about salary, the first step would be to research the average Receptionist salary in your state and city. While the average salary for a Receptionist is $36,590 per year in the U.S., the top-earning Receptionists can earn a salary of more than $60,000.
When asking for a raise as a Receptionist, it’s essential to prepare thoroughly. Highlight your contributions, showcase your skills and accomplishments and provide evidence of your value to the organization.
It depends. While receptionists generally don’t earn extremely high salaries, those working in specialized industries or large companies may make more. For most receptionists, pay tends to be more modest.
According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, the lowest salary for a Receptionist is $12.95 per hour or $26,940 a year. Only about 10% of Receptionists earn this amount or less.
This lower pay is commonly associated with receptionist positions in smaller businesses or less demanding roles where advanced skills or extensive experience are not required.
Additionally, receptionists in regions with a lower cost of living or those just starting in their careers might also see these lower wages.
Yes, most Receptionists are paid on an hourly basis. Hourly pay is common in this role because the job often involves a set schedule and specific tasks that align with standard working hours.
This structure also allows flexibility for part-time or temporary Receptionists who may not work a traditional 40-hour workweek.
Expert Reviewer Milos Eric thoroughly evaluated this salary guide to ensure the accuracy and comprehensiveness of the analyses provided. The salary guide provides insights such as location-specific figures, industry trends and factors that influence compensation.
As the Co-Founder and General Manager of OysterLink, Milos brings his extensive experience as an entrepreneur and business executive. Through the years, he has led and hired more than 500 employees for global companies like DesignRush and Digital Silk.
Not to mention, he is recognized as a Top Voice for Leadership, Recruitment and Recruitment Management on LinkedIn.