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Receptionist I Salary in the United States

How much does a Receptionist I make in the United States?

As of August 01, 2026, the average salary for a Receptionist I in the United States is $41,631 per year, which breaks down to an hourly rate of $20.

However, a Receptionist I's salary can vary significantly. Here’s a look at the typical salary range:

  • Top Earners (90th percentile): $48,950
  • Majority Range (25th-75th percentile): $38,076 to $45,462
  • Entry-Level (10th percentile): $34,839
Salary Factors Salary-Boosting Skills Salary by Experience Related Job Salaries Top Paying Cities Explore Related Jobs

Key Factors That Influence Receptionist I Salaries

A Receptionist I's salary isn't a fixed number. It's shaped by several important factors. Below, we'll explore how your years of experience, geographic location, education and company size can directly affect your earning potential.

How Experience Level Affects Receptionist I Salaries?

Experience is a primary driver of a Receptionist I's salary. As you build your skills and take on more complex tasks, your compensation generally increases. Here's how the average salary grows at different career stages:

  • Receptionist I (0-1 years): $41,631
  • Receptionist II (1-3 years): $46,904
  • Receptionist III (3-5 years): $51,573
Job Role Years of Experience Average Salary
Receptionist I0-1 years$41,631
Receptionist II1-3 years$46,904
Receptionist III3-5 years$51,573
View as Graph

How Do Receptionist Is Salaries Vary from State to State?

Your salary can change significantly depending on where you work. States with a higher cost of living and strong industrial sectors often pay more to attract Receptionist Is. For example, consider the average annual salaries in these key locations:
  • District of Columbia: $46,094.
  • California: $45,919.
  • Massachusetts: $45,307.

Top Paying Cities for Receptionist I

Salaries can also vary between different cities. Major metropolitan areas or cities with a high demand for technicians often offer more competitive pay. Here are a few examples of average annual salaries in different U.S. cities:

  • San Jose: $52,509
  • San Francisco: $51,934
  • Oakland: $50,840

What Skills Can Increase a Receptionist I's Salary?

Demanded Skills for the Role:

  • Customer Service (Mentioned in 25.18% Job Postings): Customer service is the provision of service to customers before, during and after a purchase. The perception of success of such interactions is dependent on employees "who can adjust themselves to the personality of the guest". Customer service concerns the priority an organization assigns to customer service relative to components such as product innovation and pricing. In this sense, an organization that values good customer service may spend more money in training employees than the average organization or may proactively interview customers for feedback. From the point of view of an overall sales process engineering effort, customer service plays an important role in an organization's ability to generate income and revenue. From that perspective, customer service should be included as part of an overall approach to systematic improvement. One good customer service experience can change the entire perception a customer holds towards the organization.
  • Data Entry (Mentioned in 2.27% Job Postings): Transcribing information into an electronic medium such as a computer or other electronic device.
  • Patient Care (Mentioned in 1.32% Job Postings): Patient care refers to the prevention, treatment, and management of illness and the preservation of physical and mental well-being through services offered by health professionals.
Skills Demand Percentage
Customer Service 25.18%
Data Entry 2.27%
Patient Care 1.32%
See More Skills

What skills can make your compensation higher?

Mastering certain specialized skills can lead to a significant increase in pay. Here are examples of skills and the potential impact they can have on a Receptionist I's salary.

  • Point of Sale: Can increase your salary by up to 5%.
  • Patient Care: Can increase your salary by up to 4%.
  • Coordination: Can increase your salary by up to 4%.
Skill Salary Salary % Increase
Point of Sale $43,713
5%
Patient Care $43,296
4%
Coordination $43,296
4%
Get Latest Data

Receptionist I Salary by Company Size: Startups vs. Enterprise

Receptionist I salary potential scales significantly with company size. Data shows that Enterprise companies (5,000+ employees) pay the highest average salary at around $46,604. While startup companies pay approximate $39,425.

Receptionist I Salary by Company Size

Company Size Employees Average Salary
Startup 1~50 $39,425
Growth Stage 51~500 $41,697
Established 501~5000 $45,004
Enterprise 5000+ $46,604

Receptionist I Salary by Industry: Top Paying Sectors

For Receptionist I roles, the industry you choose can affect earning potential by as much as 50% (the gap between the highest and lowest paying industries). Data shows that the Biotechnology and Pharmaceuticals sectors offer the strongest compensation, at 25% above the average. In contrast, Receptionist positions in Retail & Wholesale or Hospitality & Leisure typically offer lower base pay, as these industries often view Receptionist I as a support function rather than a direct revenue driver.

The top paying industries for a Receptionist I

Industry Sector Average Annual Salary Average Hourly Rate Pay vs.Avg
Biotechnology$52,039$25.025%
Pharmaceuticals$49,957$24.020%
Software & Networking$49,957$24.020%
Financial Services$47,876$23.015%
Insurance$47,876$23.015%

How Education impacts an Receptionist I's Salary?

Your level of education can impact your salary potential. While many Receptionist I enter the field with a Bachelor's Degree, higher education can lead to more specialized and higher-paying roles.

According to our 100% employer-reported salary data, the median salary for an Receptionist I with a Bachelor's Degree is between $38,808 and $41,278.

Receptionist I Salaries by Degree Level

Typical Education for Receptionist I
Degree Level % of user with this level of education
No Diploma 1.6%
High School 52.4%
Associates 19.1%
Bachelors 25.4%
Masters 1.5%
Doctorate 0.1%
View as Graph

Receptionist I Salary: Hourly Rate, Weekly Pay, and Monthly Pay

Understanding how a Receptionist I's annual salary breaks down can help with budgeting. Below, you can see the average hourly rate, weekly pay, and monthly pay for this role. Use the buttons to switch between different pay periods.

Last Updated on August 01, 2026
$38,076
Average $41,631/year
$45,462
$3,173
Average $3,469/month
$3,789
$732
Average $801/week
$874
$18
Average $20/hour
$22
Annual Salary Monthly Pay Weekly Pay Hourly Wage
75th Percentile $45,462 $3,789 $874 $22
Average $41,631 $3,469 $801 $20
25th Percentile $38,076 $3,173 $732 $18

Receptionist I Salary Growth & Career Path

Receptionist I

Next Role

Advancement

For a Receptionist I, the most direct path to higher earnings is advancing to the Receptionist II role. This promotion typically comes with a significant pay increase, bringing the average annual salary to $46,904 - a projected growth of 13% over your current level.

Most common benefits for Receptionist I

  • Social Security
  • 401 (k)
  • Disability
  • Healthcare
  • Pension
  • Time Off (days)

Common company salaries for Receptionist I

Here are companies hiring for Receptionist I and their salaries, click below for more details.

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FAQ about Receptionist I

1. Where can a Receptionist I earn the most?

A Receptionist I's earning potential can vary widely depending on several factors, including location, industry, experience, education, and the specific employer. According to the latest salary data by Salary.com, a Receptionist I earns the most in San Jose, CA, where the annual salary of a Receptionist I is $52,509.

2. What is the highest pay for Receptionist I?

The highest pay for Receptionist I is $48,950.

3. What is the lowest pay for Receptionist I?

The lowest pay for Receptionist I is $34,839.

4. What are the responsibilities of Receptionist I?

Greets visitors and maintains visitor logs. Completes security procedures such as issuing badges or visitor passes. Performs administrative activities such as booking meeting rooms, arranging transportation, receiving and sending mail and packages. Responds to internal and external inquiries. May provide back up for clerical projects or route phone calls. Requires a high school diploma or equivalent. Typically reports to a supervisor. Works under the close direction of senior personnel in the functional area. Possesses a moderate understanding of general aspects of the job. May require 0-1 year of general work experience.

5. What industry pays the highest salary for Receptionist I?

The Biotechnology industry offers the highest average compensation for Receptionist I roles, with salaries approximately 25% above the market median.

Where Does Our Salary Data Come From?

Salary.com provides salary estimates, histograms, trends, and comparisons using data from employer job postings and third-party sources.

We offer detailed salary information across multiple percentiles for your reference. (Click here to learn Why the Salary Midpoint Formula Is Crucial for Achieving Pay Equity.)

With the most extensive online, real-time compensation data available, Salary.com helps you pinpoint your exact pay target.

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