Occupation · SOC 43-4171
Receptionists and Information Clerks
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.
Median wage
$37,230
$28,280–$48,870
Projected growth
+0.0%
Slower than average
Annual openings
30
per year
Employed (US)
964,530
Job Zone 2
Typical preparation
Some preparation
Stackable credential programs
6 mapped
Core skills
SpeakingActive ListeningService OrientationReading ComprehensionCritical ThinkingSocial PerceptivenessWritingCoordination
Knowledge areas
Customer and Personal ServiceAdministrativeEnglish LanguageComputers and Electronics
Technology & tools
Word processing softwareData base user interface and query softwareCalendar and scheduling softwareBilling and invoicing softwareCustomer relationship management CRM software
Representative tasks
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.Perform duties, such as taking care of plants or straightening magazines to maintain lobby or reception area.Analyze data to determine answers to questions from customers or members of the public.Calculate and quote rates for tours, stocks, insurance policies, or other products or services.Keep a current record of staff members' whereabouts and availability.Schedule space or equipment for special programs and prepare lists of participants.Process and prepare memos, correspondence, travel vouchers, or other documents.Enroll individuals to participate in programs and notify them of their acceptance.Take orders for merchandise or materials and send them to the proper departments to be filled.
Competency framework
Skill expectations by proficiency level.
emerging
Telephone switchboard and basic call routing — answer and transfer incoming calls under direct supervision in a front-desk office environment.Visitor greeting procedures — welcome persons entering the establishment and ask the nature of their visit following a scripted protocol.Appointment calendar software — enter and confirm scheduled appointments with guidance from a supervisor using calendar and scheduling tools.Office information resources — locate and relay basic details about department locations and staff directories when prompted by visitors or callers.Incoming documents and mail — receive and sort correspondence, faxes, and deliveries under direction in a general office setting.Payment receipts — collect and record cash or card payments for services using a billing system with supervisor oversight.Filing and records systems — place documents into established physical and electronic filing systems following labeling conventions provided.Email and word processing software — compose and send basic informational messages to customers using standard office suite templates.Customer complaints — listen to routine customer concerns and escalate unresolved issues to a supervisor in a service-oriented reception area.Active listening during interactions — demonstrate attentive listening skills while gathering visitor or caller information in a busy front-office setting.
developing
Multi-line telephone switchboard — screen, forward, and manage concurrent incoming calls with minimal oversight in a moderate-volume reception environment.Visitor intake and routing — determine the purpose of each visit independently and escort or direct guests to appropriate destinations across an office facility.Appointment scheduling workflow — maintain and update appointment calendars for multiple staff members using scheduling software with routine accuracy.Customer and organizational information — provide accurate details about services, personnel, and office locations to visitors and callers without referral.Document transmission — send and confirm delivery of records and correspondence to customers via email, fax, or mail in a timely manner.Payment processing and receipts — process payments, issue receipts, and reconcile transaction records using billing and invoicing software independently.Records maintenance — update and retrieve client or visitor records from a database system accurately during daily reception operations.Routine complaint resolution — listen to and resolve common customer or public complaints on the spot, applying established service guidelines.Written communications — draft clear, professional responses to customer inquiries using email and word processing software with little editing required.Scheduling coordination — coordinate meeting times across multiple calendars, avoiding conflicts and confirming arrangements with relevant parties.
proficient
Complex call management — prioritize and resolve high-volume or sensitive incoming calls autonomously, applying judgment about urgency and appropriate routing.Non-routine visitor situations — assess and manage unexpected or sensitive visitor circumstances, escalating security concerns when necessary in a professional environment.Advanced scheduling systems — manage intricate, multi-party scheduling demands across CRM or medical scheduling software, resolving conflicts without supervision.Comprehensive information delivery — serve as a reliable knowledge source for full organizational structure, services, and policies for all incoming inquiries.Customer relationship management — use CRM software to log interactions, track follow-ups, and maintain accurate client records across the full reception workflow.Complaint de-escalation — independently resolve complex or emotionally charged customer complaints using active listening, empathy, and service-recovery techniques.Records integrity and compliance — audit and correct filing and database records to ensure accuracy and consistency with organizational retention requirements.Cross-functional communication — coordinate information flow between reception, administrative staff, and other departments to support seamless daily operations.Financial records accuracy — reconcile payment records, identify discrepancies, and generate basic billing reports using accounting or invoicing software.Adaptive written communication — tailor written correspondence in tone and format to diverse audiences, including sensitive or formal contexts, with minimal review.
advanced
Reception operations strategy — design and implement front-office workflows, protocols, and standards that improve efficiency and visitor experience organization-wide.Staff onboarding and mentorship — train and coach new reception and administrative staff on call handling, scheduling tools, and customer service best practices.Technology adoption leadership — evaluate, recommend, and lead rollout of new scheduling, CRM, or communication software across the administrative support function.Service quality oversight — monitor reception performance metrics, identify gaps in service delivery, and implement corrective measures to uphold organizational standards.Policy and procedure development — author and maintain front-desk operating procedures, including complaint-handling protocols and visitor management guidelines.Cross-departmental coordination — serve as the primary liaison between reception operations and other business units to align information and scheduling priorities.Escalated complaint governance — resolve the most complex or high-stakes customer and public complaints, setting precedent for how the organization handles sensitive cases.Vendor and tool management — manage relationships with software providers and office service vendors, ensuring tools meet operational and compliance requirements.Budget input for administrative resources — contribute to administrative staffing and technology budget discussions, justifying resource needs with operational data.Organizational knowledge stewardship — maintain and update the authoritative repository of organizational information, ensuring all reception staff have accurate, current resources.
Also known as
137 alternate job titles map to this occupation.
Submarine Administrative Assistant (Navy 002765)Religious Program Specialist (Navy RP)Aerospace Medical Service Journeyman, Aeromedical Education Technician (Air Force 4N051G)Policyholder-Information ClerkYeoman (Coast Guard YN)Office AssistantAerospace Medical Service Apprentice, Independent Duty Medical Technician (Air Force 4N031C)Aerospace Medical Service Helper, Neurodiagnostic Medical Technician (Air Force 4N011B)Telephone Information Clerk (Telephone Info Clerk)Aerospace Medical Service Helper, National Registry Paramedic (Air Force 4N011H)Office Manager (Navy 001815)Administrative Supervisor (Navy 001810)Call Center Representative (Call Center Rep)Medical Office ReceptionistInformation Receptionist (Info Receptionist)Administration Craftsman (Air Force 3F571)Aerospace Medical Service Craftsman, National Registry Paramedic (Air Force 4N071H)Services (Air Force 3F1X1)ER Clerk (Emergency Room Clerk)Health Services Management Helper (Air Force 4A011)Aerospace Medical Service Journeyman, Neurodiagnostic Medical Technician (Air Force 4N051B)Aerospace Medical Service Helper, Independent Duty Medical Technician (Air Force 4N011C)Aerospace Medical Service Apprentice, Aeromedical Education Technician (Air Force 4N031G)Aerospace Medical Service Craftsman, Aeromedical Education Technician (Air Force 4N071G)Telephone Quotation ClerkHealth Services Management Journeyman (Air Force 4A051)Submarine Administrative Manager (Navy 002766)Call Center AgentYeoman (Navy YN)Administration (Air Force 3F5X1)Aerospace Medical Service Journeyman, Independent Duty Medical Technician (Air Force 4N051C)Tourist Information Assistant (Tourist Info Assistant)Hospital Corpsman (Navy HM)Services Craftsman (Air Force 3F171)Referral-and-Information AideAerospace Medical Service Superintendent (Air Force 4N091)Land Leasing Information Clerk (Land Leasing Info Clerk)Services Superintendent (Air Force 3F191)Administration Journeyman (Air Force 3F551)Services (Air Force 3M0X1)