Office & Administrative Support
Receptionists and Information Clerks
Also called: Clerk Specialist, Front Desk Receptionist, Greeter, Information Assistant (Info Assistant)
US median pay
$38,010
per year, 2025
Job growth 2025–35
-1.7%
declining
Openings a year (US)
105,100
947,500 employed
Typical entry education
High school diploma or equivalent
Preparation 2/5 · Some preparation
What this job is
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.
What they do day to day
- 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.
- Perform administrative support tasks, such as proofreading, transcribing handwritten information, or operating calculators or computers to work with pay records, invoices, balance sheets, or other documents.
- Collect, sort, distribute, or prepare mail, messages, or courier deliveries.
Skills and knowledge that matter most
Skills
- Service Orientation3.6/5
- Social Perceptiveness3.1/5
- Coordination3.0/5
- Time Management2.9/5
- Complex Problem Solving2.8/5
- Persuasion2.6/5
- Instructing2.6/5
- Judgment and Decision Making2.4/5
Knowledge
- Customer and Personal Service4.2/5
- Administrative3.9/5
- English Language3.7/5
- Computers and Electronics3.4/5
- Mathematics2.7/5
- Public Safety and Security2.7/5
Importance rated by people working in the job (1 = not important, 5 = extremely important).
Education and preparation
Preparation level 2 of 5 — Some preparation. Usually a high school diploma; some previous work experience or training helps.
Typical entry education (BLS): High school diploma or equivalent.
Highest education of people in this job:
- High school diploma49%
- Some college26%
- Post-secondary certificate21%
Who this job suits
Mostly Conventional
Organising data, details and procedures
Enterprising
Leading, persuading and starting things
Social
Helping, teaching and caring for people
Based on the Holland (RIASEC) interest profile for this occupation.