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Receptionist or Information Clerk

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What Do Receptionist or Information Clerk Do?

Career Description 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 Do Receptionists and Information Clerks Do On a Daily Basis?

  • Perform duties, such as taking care of plants or straightening magazines to maintain lobby or reception area.
  • Conduct tours or deliver talks describing features of public facilities, such as a historic site or national park.
  • 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.
  • Analyze data to determine answers to questions from customers or members of the public.
  • Enroll individuals to participate in programs and notify them of their acceptance.

What Every Receptionist or Information Clerk Should Know

Below is a list of the skills most Receptionists and Information Clerks say are important on the job.

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.

  • Front Desk Clerk
  • Unit Assistant
  • Information Assistant
  • In-File Operator
  • Space Scheduler

Job Outlook for Receptionists and Information Clerks

In the United States, there were 1,053,700 jobs for Receptionist or Information Clerk in 2016. 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. The BLS estimates 151,100 yearly job openings in this field.

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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.

Average Receptionists and Information Clerks Salary

The average yearly salary of a Receptionist or Information Clerk ranges 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.

How much do Receptionists and Information Clerks make in each U.S. state?

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 & Technology 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

Becoming a Receptionist or Information Clerk

What education or degrees do I need to become a Receptionist or Information Clerk?

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What work experience do I need to become a Receptionist or Information Clerk?

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Where Receptionists and Information Clerks Are Employed

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The table below shows some of the most common industries where those employed in this career field work.

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Similar Careers

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

Those who work as a Receptionist or Information Clerk sometimes switch careers to one of these choices:

References:

Image Credit: Jace Armstrong via public domain

More about our data sources and methodologies.

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