CFChooseField
Office and Administration

Receptionists and Information Clerks

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.

Visual summary of pay, outlook, skills, interests, and preparation for Receptionists and Information Clerks
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Median pay

$37,230
Median annual pay for Receptionists and Information Clerks.
U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics · 2024
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10-year growth

0%
Projected employment growth from 2024 to 2034.
U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics · 2024–2034 projections
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Annual openings

128,500
Projected annual openings, including growth and replacement demand.
U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics · 2024–2034 projections
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Employment

1,007,200
Estimated U.S. employment for Receptionists and Information Clerks in 2024.
U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics · 2024
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Jobs added or lost

+300
Projected numeric employment change from 2024 to 2034.
U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics · 2024–2034 projections
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Entry preparation

High school diploma or equivalent
Typical additional preparation: Short-term on-the-job training.
U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics · 2024 profile
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O*NET occupation profile

What the work involves

Strongest O*NET signals first.

Essential skills

  1. 1Speaking
  2. 2Active Listening
  3. 3Critical Thinking
  4. 4Reading Comprehension
  5. 5Writing
  6. 6Monitoring

Knowledge areas

  1. 1Customer and Personal Service
  2. 2Administrative
  3. 3English Language
  4. 4Computers and Electronics
  5. 5Mathematics
  6. 6Public Safety and Security

Abilities

  1. 1Oral Expression
  2. 2Oral Comprehension
  3. 3Speech Recognition
  4. 4Speech Clarity
  5. 5Written Comprehension
  6. 6Written Expression

Career interests

  1. 1Conventional
  2. 2Enterprising
  3. 3Social
  4. 4Realistic
  5. 5Investigative
  6. 6Artistic

Work styles

  1. 1Cooperation
  2. 2Dependability
  3. 3Social Orientation
  4. 4Attention to Detail
  5. 5Empathy
  6. 6Self-Control

Work activities

  1. 1Working with Computers
  2. 2Getting Information
  3. 3Performing for or Working Directly with the Public
  4. 4Communicating with Supervisors, Peers, or Subordinates
  5. 5Making Decisions and Solving Problems
  6. 6Assisting and Caring for Others

Work context

  1. 1Telephone Conversations
  2. 2Contact With Others
  3. 3Frequency of Decision Making
  4. 4E-Mail
  5. 5Face-to-Face Discussions with Individuals and Within Teams
  6. 6Indoors, Environmentally Controlled

Representative tasks

  • Operate telephone switchboard to answer, screen, or forward calls, providing information, taking messages, or scheduling appointments.
  • Greet persons entering establishment, determine nature and purpose of visit, and direct or escort them to specific destinations.
  • Receive payment and record receipts for services.
  • Schedule appointments and maintain and update appointment calendars.
  • Transmit information or documents to customers, using computer, mail, or facsimile machine.
  • Hear and resolve complaints from customers or the public.
  • File and maintain records.
  • Provide information about establishment, such as location of departments or offices, employees within the organization, or services provided.

Software and tools

Microsoft Word · in demandMicrosoft Outlook · in demandMicrosoft Office software · in demandMicrosoft Excel · in demandMicrosoft Windows · hot technologyMicrosoft PowerPoint · hot technologyGoogle Docs · hot technologyIntuit QuickBooks · hot technology3M Post-it AppIBM NotesIntrado SchoolMessengerKodak Dental Systems Kodak SOFTDENT Practice management software PMS

Sources

BLS provides national pay, employment, and projections. O*NET provides skills, interests, preparation, tasks, work context, and tools.

ChooseField compares fields using public labor-market and professional sources.