Receptionist Salary in 2025:
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 salary.

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How much does a earn in per hour?

The hourly rate for a in is currently $0. This does not include tips, bonuses or other performance-based incentives offered by the establishment they're employed in.

How much does a earn in per month?

The average monthly salary for a in is $0.

How much does a earn in per week?

Based on the hourly and monthly salaries above, the average salary per week in is currently $0.

How Can I Earn More Money as a in ?

The easiest way to earn more money as a is to ask for a raise or a promotion. To do that, you’ll need to be prepared to discuss with your employer about why you deserve a raise.

To help you out, we've got a list of interview questions and answers that you can use to come up with your own answers when you’re asking for a raise.

What Skills Are Employers Looking for in a in ?

You can see what employers want in a Pastry Chef in Chicago if you take a look at a sample job description. In it, you’ll find the most common skills, abilities and experience requirements for this role.

Although some Receptionists can earn as little as $12.95 (10th percentile), some can earn as much as $22.77 per hour (90th percentile).

annual salary for receptionists in the US by percentiles

[Source: Bureau of Labor Statistics]

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.

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.

factors influencing receptionist salaries

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:

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

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).

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 Receptionists 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:

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?

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.

01. What type of Receptionist gets paid the most?

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.

02. Can Receptionists progress to better-paying jobs?

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.

03. How much should I ask for when discussing the salary for a Receptionist’s job?

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.

04. How do I ask for a raise as a Receptionist?

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.

05. Can I make a lot of money as a Receptionist?

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.

06. What’s the lowest salary for a Receptionist?

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.

07. Are Receptionists paid hourly?

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.

Receptionist Salary in 2025: A Comprehensive Guide