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.
Featured schools near , edit
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.
Related Job Titles
- 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.
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.
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?
How Long Does it Take to Become a Receptionist or Information Clerk?
Receptionists and Information Clerks Sector
The table below shows the approximate number of Receptionists and Information Clerks employed by various industries.
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.
Featured Schools
Request Info
|
Southern New Hampshire University You have goals. Southern New Hampshire University can help you get there. Whether you need a bachelor's degree to get into a career or want a master's degree to move up in your current career, SNHU has an online program for you. Find your degree from over 200 online programs. Learn More > |
TradeCollege.org provides higher-education, college and university, degree, program, career, salary, and other helpful information to students, faculty, institutions, and other internet audiences. Presented information and data are subject to change. Inclusion on this website does not imply or represent a direct relationship with the company, school, or brand. Information, though believed correct at time of publication, may not be correct, and no warranty is provided. Contact the schools to verify any information before relying on it. Financial aid may be available for those who qualify. TradeCollege.org is a for-profit site, and the displayed options may include sponsored or recommended results, not necessarily based on your preferences.
© TradeCollege.org – All Rights Reserved.