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Receptionist or Information Clerk

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What Does it Take to Be a Receptionist or Information Clerk?

Job Description & Duties 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.

Receptionist or Information Clerk Responsibilities

  • Greet persons entering establishment, determine nature and purpose of visit, and direct or escort them to specific destinations.
  • Operate telephone switchboard to answer, screen, or forward calls, providing information, taking messages, or scheduling appointments.
  • Transmit information or documents to customers, using computer, mail, or facsimile machine.
  • Collect, sort, distribute, or prepare mail, messages, or courier deliveries.
  • Analyze data to determine answers to questions from customers or members of the public.
  • Receive payment and record receipts for services.

What a Receptionist or Information Clerk Should Know

Receptionists and Information Clerks state the following job skills are important in their day-to-day work.

Active Listening: Giving full attention to what other people are saying, taking time to understand the points being made, asking questions as appropriate, and not interrupting at inappropriate times.

Speaking: Talking to others to convey information effectively.

Service Orientation: Actively looking for ways to help people.

Reading Comprehension: Understanding written sentences and paragraphs in work related documents.

Writing: Communicating effectively in writing as appropriate for the needs of the audience.

Critical Thinking: Using logic and reasoning to identify the strengths and weaknesses of alternative solutions, conclusions or approaches to problems.

  • Quoter
  • Pay Station Attendant
  • Policyholder Information Clerk
  • Telephone Quotation Clerk
  • Schedule Announcer

Receptionist or Information Clerk Job Outlook

There were about 1,053,700 jobs for Receptionist or Information Clerk in 2016 (in the United States). New jobs are being produced at a rate of 9.1% which is above the national average. The Bureau of Labor Statistics predicts 95,500 new jobs for Receptionist or Information Clerk by 2026. Due to new job openings and attrition, there will be an average of 151,100 job openings in this field each year.

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The states with the most job growth for Receptionist or Information Clerk are Utah, Arizona, and Colorado. Watch out if you plan on working in Maine, Mississippi, or Rhode Island. These states have the worst job growth for this type of profession.

Receptionist or Information Clerk Salary

The typical yearly salary for Receptionists and Information Clerks is somewhere between $20,600 and $41,660.

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Receptionists and Information Clerks who work in District of Columbia, Alaska, or Connecticut, make the highest salaries.

Below is a list of the median annual salaries for Receptionists and Information Clerks in different U.S. states.

State Annual Mean Salary
Alabama $26,320
Alaska $35,310
Arizona $30,050
Arkansas $27,200
California $33,190
Colorado $32,360
Connecticut $34,860
Delaware $27,160
District of Columbia $38,290
Florida $29,120
Georgia $27,840
Hawaii $32,870
Idaho $28,900
Illinois $30,210
Indiana $28,520
Iowa $29,410
Kansas $27,540
Kentucky $27,390
Louisiana $24,990
Maine $30,380
Maryland $30,720
Massachusetts $32,960
Michigan $29,690
Minnesota $31,150
Mississippi $26,370
Missouri $27,550
Montana $27,450
Nebraska $28,820
Nevada $28,440
New Hampshire $31,080
New Jersey $33,120
New Mexico $27,690
New York $34,430
North Carolina $28,410
North Dakota $29,480
Ohio $27,850
Oklahoma $28,210
Oregon $31,670
Pennsylvania $28,700
Rhode Island $33,670
South Carolina $27,660
South Dakota $27,280
Tennessee $27,990
Texas $27,400
Utah $27,890
Vermont $33,750
Virginia $30,050
Washington $33,990
West Virginia $26,660
Wisconsin $29,610
Wyoming $29,000

What Tools do Receptionists and Information Clerks Use?

Although they’re not necessarily needed for all jobs, the following technologies are used by many Receptionists and Information Clerks:

  • Microsoft Excel
  • Microsoft Word
  • Microsoft Office
  • Microsoft PowerPoint
  • Microsoft Outlook
  • Web browser software
  • Data entry software
  • Email software
  • Microsoft Windows
  • Database software
  • Microsoft Dynamics
  • IBM Notes
  • Microsoft Publisher
  • Google Docs
  • FileMaker Pro
  • Intuit QuickBooks
  • Google Drive
  • Medical procedure coding software
  • Blackbaud The Raiser’s Edge
  • Medical condition coding software

How do I Become a Receptionist or Information Clerk?

Are there Receptionists and Information Clerks education requirements?

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How Long Does it Take to Become a Receptionist or Information Clerk?

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Receptionists and Information Clerks Sector

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The table below shows the approximate number of Receptionists and Information Clerks employed by various industries.

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You May Also Be Interested In…

Those thinking about becoming a Receptionist or Information Clerk might also be interested in the following careers:

Are you already one of the many Receptionist or Information Clerk in the United States? If you’re thinking about changing careers, these fields are worth exploring:

References:

Image Credit: Jace Armstrong via public domain

More about our data sources and methodologies.

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