Choose from a wide range of CV templates and customize the design with a single click.
Use ATS-optimised CV and resume templates that pass applicant tracking systems. Our CV builder helps recruiters read, scan, and shortlist your CV faster.
Use professional field-tested resume templates that follow the exact CV rules employers look for.
Create CV
Use professional field-tested resume templates that follow the exact CV rules employers look for.
Create CVReceptionist salary is often misunderstood because job titles stay the same while responsibilities and pay vary dramatically across industries, company size, and geography. If you’re searching for “receptionist salary,” you’re not just looking for numbers. You’re trying to understand what you should be earning, how employers evaluate your value, and how to increase your compensation strategically.
This guide breaks down receptionist salaries from the perspective of a recruiter, hiring manager, and ATS evaluator, so you understand exactly how pay is determined, what signals increase your value, and how to position yourself above average candidates.
Receptionist salaries vary widely depending on experience, industry, and specialization.
Entry-level receptionist: $30,000 to $38,000
Mid-level receptionist: $38,000 to $48,000
Senior receptionist or front office coordinator: $48,000 to $60,000
Executive receptionist or corporate front desk lead: $60,000 to $75,000+
Hourly rates typically range from $15 to $30 per hour, depending on role complexity.
Recruiters do not evaluate receptionist roles as “entry-level” by default anymore. In many companies, especially in finance, healthcare, and tech, the receptionist is the first operational gatekeeper.
That means salary is tied less to the title and more to:
Two people with the same title can earn $30,000 and $70,000 respectively. Here’s why.
Healthcare receptionists: $35,000 to $50,000
Legal receptionists: $45,000 to $65,000
Corporate or finance receptionists: $50,000 to $75,000
Hospitality front desk: $30,000 to $45,000
Recruiter insight: Legal and finance firms pay more because mistakes are costly and client interaction is high stakes.
Receptionists earning higher salaries typically handle:
Calendar coordination for executives
Recruiters don’t just match your experience to a pay band. They assess signals that justify higher compensation.
Professional communication level
Exposure to high-level stakeholders
Systems proficiency
Multitasking complexity
Measurable impact
Task-based descriptions
Level of responsibility
Exposure to executives or clients
Operational impact
Systems and tools managed
Client intake and relationship management
Office operations
Vendor coordination
CRM or scheduling systems
Weak Example:
Answered phones and greeted visitors
Good Example:
Managed front office operations supporting 3 executives, coordinated 40+ weekly meetings, and handled client intake for high-value accounts
Small business receptionist: lower pay, broader tasks
Mid-sized company: moderate pay, structured role
Enterprise company: higher pay, specialized responsibilities
Hiring manager reality: Larger companies pay more because the role is tied to brand perception and operational efficiency.
Major metro areas pay significantly more:
New York City: $45,000 to $75,000
San Francisco: $50,000 to $80,000
Chicago: $40,000 to $65,000
Remote or rural areas: $30,000 to $45,000
No metrics
Basic responsibilities only
No tools or systems listed
Operational ownership
Executive exposure
Process improvements
Quantifiable contributions
Most candidates underestimate how ATS impacts salary.
ATS doesn’t decide your pay, but it determines whether you get into higher-paying pipelines.
Front Office Coordinator
Administrative Operations
Executive Support
Client Relations
Office Management Systems
Calendar Management
CRM Systems
Recruiter insight: Candidates using higher-level operational keywords are automatically perceived as more valuable.
Salary: $30,000 to $38,000
Focus areas:
Customer service
Communication skills
Basic scheduling
Common mistake: Staying in task-based roles too long without expanding responsibilities.
Salary: $38,000 to $48,000
Expected capabilities:
Managing multiple stakeholders
Using scheduling software
Handling client interactions
Turning point: This is where candidates either plateau or move toward higher-paying roles.
Salary: $48,000 to $60,000+
Key expectations:
Operational ownership
Executive-level support
Process optimization
Instead of:
Answered calls
Shift to:
Managed 80+ daily inbound calls with a 95% resolution rate
Improved front desk efficiency by reducing wait times by 20%
Receptionists who earn more often handle:
Vendor management
Office budgeting
Event coordination
CRM systems
Scheduling software
Office management platforms
Titles that increase salary:
Front Office Coordinator
Office Administrator
Administrative Specialist
Strategic move:
Many candidates describe their work too simply.
Employers value measurable impact.
Small companies often limit salary growth.
Your title might stay the same, but your positioning should evolve.
Candidate Name: Sarah Mitchell
Target Role: Senior Receptionist / Front Office Coordinator
Location: New York, NY
PROFESSIONAL SUMMARY
Highly organized front office professional with 6+ years of experience managing high-volume reception environments in corporate and legal settings. Proven ability to support executive teams, streamline operations, and enhance client experience. Recognized for improving office efficiency and maintaining high service standards in fast-paced environments.
CORE SKILLS
Front Office Operations
Executive Calendar Management
Client Relations
Office Administration
CRM Systems
Vendor Coordination
Multitasking and Prioritization
PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE
Senior Receptionist | Corporate Law Firm | New York, NY | 2021–Present
Managed front desk operations for a firm with 100+ employees and high-profile clients
Coordinated executive calendars for 4 partners, handling 50+ weekly meetings
Improved client intake process, reducing wait times by 25%
Implemented a digital visitor tracking system, increasing operational efficiency
Served as primary point of contact for VIP clients
Receptionist | Healthcare Facility | New York, NY | 2018–2021
Handled 100+ daily patient interactions in a high-volume environment
Scheduled appointments using electronic health record systems
Maintained 98% patient satisfaction score through efficient service
Supported administrative team with documentation and coordination tasks
EDUCATION
Bachelor’s Degree in Business Administration
Hiring managers are not looking for someone who “answers phones.” They are hiring someone who:
Represents the company brand
Manages operational flow
Supports internal teams
Handles high-value interactions
Decision-making reality:
If a receptionist directly impacts client experience or executive efficiency, salary increases significantly.
Switch industries instead of waiting for internal promotion.
Working with leadership increases perceived value.
Transition toward roles like:
Executive Assistant
Office Manager
Operations Coordinator
Understanding adjacent roles helps position for higher pay.
Receptionist: $30,000 to $60,000
Administrative Assistant: $45,000 to $70,000
Executive Assistant: $65,000 to $100,000+
Office Manager: $70,000 to $110,000
Strategic insight: Receptionist is often the entry point into higher-paying administrative careers.
Automation is changing the role, but not eliminating it.
What’s changing:
Basic tasks are automated
High-touch roles are becoming more valuable
Future high-paying receptionist roles will focus on:
Client experience
Office coordination
Executive support
The difference comes down to responsibility level and environment. High-paying roles involve executive interaction, operational coordination, and client-facing responsibilities in high-stakes industries like finance or law. Lower-paying roles are typically limited to basic front desk tasks with minimal decision-making.
From a recruiter perspective, transitioning is almost always the better long-term strategy. Administrative assistant roles expand your scope, increase your exposure to leadership, and open pathways to executive assistant or operations roles with significantly higher earning potential.
Certifications alone rarely increase salary. However, skills tied to tools and systems such as CRM platforms, scheduling systems, and office management software can directly impact your earning potential because they signal operational value to employers.
In competitive markets, it can happen within 2 to 4 years if the candidate strategically moves industries, expands responsibilities, and repositions their resume toward operations and executive support rather than basic front desk tasks.
The biggest mistake is anchoring their value to their current role instead of their impact. Candidates who negotiate based on responsibilities, metrics, and business value consistently achieve higher offers than those who rely on title or years of experience alone.
Upload CV
Import from Linkedin
