The choice to pursue a specific career field is one of the most important decisions that an individual will make in their lifetime. While it is common for people to change professions multiple times throughout their working years, this practice can consume a large amount of time, energy, and money. For this reason, it is a good idea to define one’s career objectives prior to beginning the job search process so that an appropriate industry and position can be pursued. Those who prefer to avoid spending several years in college may want to consider a career as a medical receptionist.

Employment and Salary Statistics

Receptionists are a critical component of the US economy and they are employed in several different sectors. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, there are over one million people working in the profession. Although not all receptionists work in the healthcare industry, approximately 35% are employed in the offices of health practitioners and other medical providers. While the medical receptionist salary is relatively low, the profession provides an excellent entry-level career opportunity for those who do not wish to attend college or who would like to advance their career in the medical office setting.

As is true with all professions, the amount of money that an individual can earn in this career field is affected by a number of different factors including education, training, certification, type of employer, geographic location, and overall work responsibilities. Although many websites on the Internet provide details about the median medical receptionist salary across the country, these numbers are not always accurate and may not reflect the types of earning opportunities that exist in a specific region. For this reason, aspiring receptionists are encouraged to inquire with local employers about the compensation that can be expected in current job openings.

According to government statistics, the medical receptionist salary is highest for those who work in dental offices and lowest for those who are employed by establishments that offer personal care services. The median salary level was $12.49 per hour as of May 2012. The top 10% of earners pulled down slightly more than $18 per hour while the bottom 10% of earners took home less than $9 per hour. Again, these numbers must be taken with a grain of salt considering all of the different factors that can influence the ability of a receptionist to earn a competitive salary.

Indeed.com is another popular source of information that provides insight into the earning potential for a variety of different professions. According to their data, the medical receptionist salary often falls somewhere in the range of $12 to $14 per hour. Individuals who possess some college education, prior experience, and who have the appropriate personality traits to work in an office can expect to receive a higher level of compensation than their less qualified counterparts. Commonly favored employee attributes often include interpersonal communication skills, a courteous demeanor, professionalism, integrity, trustworthiness, and a detail oriented mindset.

The Importance of Geographic Location

Geographic location can have a significant impact on an individual’s salary and should be considered carefully when evaluating the desirability of a career as a receptionist. In general, Coastal states often pay more than Midwestern states given that the cost of living is often higher near the coasts. Coastal states also employ more receptionists in order to better meet the administrative needs associated with providing care to a larger concentration of people. States with the highest employment level include California, New York, Florida, Texas, and New Jersey. The top 5 states in terms of compensation include the District of Columbia, Alaska, Connecticut, Washington, and the great state of Massachusetts.

In addition to considering the compensation in the state where one intends to work, individuals should think about how their proximity to a metropolitan environment might affect their earning potential. It is often the case that employers in medium to large cities offer a more competitive medical receptionist salary than those providing services in small towns and rural areas. Individuals who live in an area that does not pay well may be able to enjoy a dramatic increase in their salary by simply moving closer to a more populated region of the state.

Metropolitan areas in the United States with the highest levels of employment include New York – White Plains – Wayne (NY – NJ), Los Angeles – Long Beach – Glendale (CA), Chicago – Joliet – Naperville (IL), Washington – Arlington – Alexandria (DC – VA – MD – WV), Atlanta – Sandy Springs – Marietta (GA), Philadelphia (PA), Nassau – Suffolk (NY), Minneapolis – St. Paul – Bloomington (MN), Houston – Sugar Land – Baytown (TX), and Edison – New Brunswick (NJ). Nonmetropolitan areas with the highest levels of employment include Kansas, North Carolina, South Central Kentucky, East Central Pennsylvania, and the Lower Peninsula of Michigan.

The metropolitan areas offering the highest medical receptionist salary include San Francisco – San Mateo – Redwood City (CA), Oakland – Fremont – Hayward (CA), Santa Rosa – Petaluma (CA), Vallejo – Fairfield (CA), San Jose – Sunnyvale – Santa Clara (CA), Champaign – Urbana (IL), New Haven (CT), Bridgeport – Stamford – Norwalk (CT), Carson City (NV), and Napa (CA). The highest paying nonmetropolitan areas include Southwest Alaska, North Central Massachusetts, Southeast Alaska, Hawaii, and Eastern Connecticut.

We have included a table of the annual average medical receptionist salary in different states for comparison. To find your state quickly, type it into the search box.