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Healthcare
Mayo Clinic, Cleveland Clinic, HCA Healthcare
Receptionists and Information Clerks
Receptionists and information clerks are the first point of contact in offices, medical buildings, hotels, and other workplaces. They greet visitors, answer phones, route messages, keep records moving, and handle small payments or complaints when needed. The job is distinct because it mixes public-facing customer service with constant task switching, and the tradeoff is simple: the work is easy to enter, but the pay is modest and the responsibilities can feel repetitive and interrupt-driven.
Also known as Front Desk ReceptionistReceptionistFront Desk ClerkOffice ReceptionistInformation Desk Clerk
Median Salary
$37,230
Mean $38,480
U.S. Workforce
~965K
128.5K openings per year
10-Year Growth
+0%
1007.2K to 1007.6K
Entry Education
High school diploma or equivalent
+ None experience
What This Role Looks Like in Practice
Receptionists and Information Clerks sits in the Business category. In practical terms, this role combines day-to-day execution, cross-team coordination, and consistent decision-making under real business constraints.
U.S. employment is currently about ~965K workers, with a median annual pay of $37,230 and roughly 128.5K openings each year. Based on BLS projections, total employment is expected to grow from 1007.2 K in 2024 to 1007.6K in 2034.
Most hiring paths start with High school diploma or equivalent, and employers typically expect none of related experience. Many careers in this track begin around Office Clerk / Front Desk Assistant and can progress toward Office Administrator / Administrative Supervisor. High-value skills usually include Multi-line Phone Systems & Call Routing, Microsoft Outlook, Calendar & Appointment Scheduling, and Visitor Management & Front Desk Software, paired with soft skills such as Speaking, Active Listening, and Service Orientation.
Core Responsibilities
- Welcome visitors, find out why they came in, and send them to the right person or department.
- Answer incoming calls, direct them to the right extension, take messages, and set up appointments.
- Sort mail and deliveries, then hand them off to the right people.
- Keep files and records organized so paperwork can be found quickly when someone needs it.
Keep exploring: more Business careers or browse all job titles.
A Day in the Life
01 Welcome visitors, find out why they came in, and send them to the right person or department.
02 Answer incoming calls, direct them to the right extension, take messages, and set up appointments.
03 Sort mail and deliveries, then hand them off to the right people.
04 Keep files and records organized so paperwork can be found quickly when someone needs it.
05 Help calm upset customers or members of the public and answer basic questions about the organization.
06 Handle small payments and keep the reception area neat and presentable.
Industries That Hire
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Legal Services
Dentons, Baker McKenzie, Morgan, Lewis & Bockius
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Hospitality
Marriott International, Hilton, Hyatt
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Education
Harvard University, University of Michigan, NYU
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Government
City of New York, State of California, U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs
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Corporate Offices
IBM, JPMorgan Chase, Deloitte
Pros and Cons
Advantages
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It is relatively easy to enter: the usual starting point is a high school diploma, with short-term on-the-job training and no work experience required.
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There are many openings because the occupation is large, with about 128.5 thousand annual openings projected.
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The work is varied day to day, moving between phones, visitors, mail, records, and small problem-solving tasks.
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It builds practical office skills that transfer to administrative assistant, office coordinator, and customer service roles.
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The job exists in many industries, so it can be a way to get into healthcare, law, education, or corporate offices without a specialized degree.
Challenges
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Pay is modest for the responsibility level, with a median annual wage of $37,230 and a mean of $38,480.
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Growth is basically flat, with projected employment change of 0.0%, so the field is not expanding in a way that creates a lot of new upward momentum.
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Many tasks are repetitive and interrupt-driven, which can make the day feel fragmented and stressful when phones and walk-ins pile up.
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The role has a built-in career ceiling unless you move into supervision or a broader administrative job, because many employers treat it as an entry or support position.
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Some parts of the work are exposed to automation and self-service systems, such as phone routing, check-ins, and basic information requests.
Career Progression
Office Clerk / Front Desk Assistant
0-2 years
$30K-$34K
New workers learn the basics of greeting guests, answering phones, sorting mail, and keeping records organized.
Receptionists and Information Clerks
1-4 years
$35K-$41K
This is the main front-desk role, where someone handles visitors, phones, messages, complaints, and routine office support with little supervision.
Lead Receptionist / Front Office Coordinator THIS ROLE
4-7 years
$42K-$49K
Experienced workers coordinate coverage, train newer staff, manage scheduling issues, and handle more difficult visitor or customer problems.
Office Administrator / Administrative Supervisor
7+ years
$50K-$65K
At this level, the job expands into supervising front-office workflows, managing records systems, and supporting broader office operations.
Education Paths
High school diploma or equivalent
The most common entry point, held by 49.48% of workers in this role.
Some college coursework
A common alternative, held by 25.66% of workers, especially for people who want office experience before finishing a degree.
Post-secondary certificate in office administration or customer service
A practical route for this job, held by 20.86% of workers, and it can help candidates learn scheduling, records, and front-desk systems quickly.
Associate's degree
Less common but still used by 3.68% of workers, often as a stepping stone toward broader administrative jobs.
Key Skills
Technical
Multi-line Phone Systems & Call Routing 82%
Microsoft Outlook, Calendar & Appointment Scheduling 80%
Visitor Management & Front Desk Software 76%
Microsoft Office 365, Word & Excel 72%
Records Management & Document Scanning 64%
Cash Handling & Point-of-Sale Systems 60%
Soft Skills
SpeakingActive ListeningService OrientationSocial PerceptivenessCritical ThinkingCoordination Job Outlook and Trends
+0%
Projected growth (2024-2034)
128.5K
Annual job openings
Employment is projected to rise from 1007.2K to 1007.6 K over the next decade, representing 0% growth. Around 128.5 K openings per year include both newly created roles and replacement hiring from turnover.
Remote availability is currently Rare. Demand remains strongest where employers need practical domain knowledge plus modern workflow and data skills.