Explore national salary, projected growth, education requirements, and career opportunities across the United States.
A concise view of this occupation’s national scale, compensation, and projected demand.
National median annual wage for this occupation.
Estimated jobs currently supported nationwide.
Projected employment change through 2034.
Estimated openings created each year.
The typical education, prior experience, and on-the-job training associated with entry into this career.
High school diploma or equivalent
None
Short-term on-the-job training
These are the highest-rated capabilities associated with success in this occupation. Scores are derived from occupational skill analysis and are measured on a 100-point scale.
Based on skills, knowledge, and work activities, these occupations are the closest match to your current career.
Explore the states and metropolitan areas offering the strongest combination of salary, employment, demand, and long-term opportunity.
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Understand the salary, outlook, education, and geographic opportunities shaping this career.
Receptionists and information clerks are front-line professionals who help people get information and access services. With national employment of 1,007,000 workers, this is a large occupation that offers opportunities across many settings. The national median annual salary is $37,230, and typical entry requires a high school diploma or equivalent, making it accessible to a wide range of job seekers, including students, career changers, and those re-entering the workforce. Key strengths in this field include customer service, interpersonal abilities, and speaking and listening, supported by skills in computers and information technology, writing and reading, and problem solving. Although projected employment growth is 0.0%, there are still 128,000 annual openings, indicating ongoing hiring needs. For individuals who enjoy interacting with people, managing information, and adapting to different situations, this role can serve as a stable, skills-based career path or a foundation for moving into related office and information clerk roles.
Receptionists and information clerks earn a national median annual salary of $37,230. Pay varies by location, with several states and metro areas offering higher median salaries. Among the top states by opportunity score, Washington reports a median salary of $44,710, California $44,100, Massachusetts $43,870, New York $43,080, and Colorado $42,010. At the metro level, pay can be higher still. The San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont, CA metro shows a median salary of $49,450, and San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA reports $47,130. The New York-Newark-Jersey City, NY-NJ metro has a median of $44,690, while Boston-Cambridge-Newton, MA-NH is at $43,930 and Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV at $41,240. These figures show that earnings can differ meaningfully across regions, giving workers the option to consider geographic differences in pay when planning their careers.
Receptionists and information clerks account for 1,007,000 jobs nationally, indicating a sizable presence in the workforce. Projected employment growth for this occupation is 0.0%, so the total number of positions is expected to remain stable overall rather than expand. Even with flat projected growth, there are an estimated 128,000 annual openings. These openings can reflect a mix of workers changing jobs, advancing to other roles, or leaving the labor force. For job seekers and career changers, this combination of large existing employment and substantial yearly openings suggests that opportunities to enter or move within the field should continue. Individuals interested in related work may also wish to consider similar occupations such as telephone operators, information and record clerks (all other), secretaries and administrative assistants (except legal, medical, and executive), communications equipment operators (all other), and switchboard operators, including answering service.
Location plays a significant role in the career landscape for receptionists and information clerks. Among states, California stands out with 82,470 employed workers, a median salary of $44,100, and a CareerGPS opportunity score of 67.38. New York also has sizable employment at 65,010 and a median salary of $43,080, with an opportunity score of 65.78. Massachusetts, though smaller in total employment at 18,970, offers a median salary of $43,870 and an opportunity score of 65.87. Washington and Colorado round out the top states, with median salaries of $44,710 and $42,010 and opportunity scores of 56.29 and 56.97, respectively. At the metro level, San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA (opportunity score 77.42, median salary $47,130) and New York-Newark-Jersey City, NY-NJ (77.27, $44,690) rank especially high. San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont, CA offers $49,450 in median pay with a 68.75 opportunity score. These differences give workers options to target states and metros that align with their salary and opportunity preferences.
Receptionists and information clerks typically need a high school diploma or equivalent, which makes this role accessible to individuals who do not have a college degree but want a professional position with structured responsibilities. Success in this career relies on a set of core skills rather than advanced academic credentials. Customer service and interpersonal abilities are central, as the role involves frequent interaction with others. Speaking and listening, along with writing and reading, support clear communication. Skills in computers and information technology are also important, reflecting the need to handle digital information and systems. Additional strengths such as adaptability, problem solving and decision making, fine motor abilities, mathematics, and creativity and innovation round out the skill profile. Together, these skills provide a foundation not only for entry into receptionist roles but also for potential movement into other office and information clerk positions over time.
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