Receptionist salary in Los Angeles, CA
Median pay, Los Angeles metro
$43,280/year
about $20.81 an hour full-time
Middle half earns $39,410 – $47,340
Half of receptionists in the Los Angeles metro area earn more than $43,280 a year and half earn less. That's 14% higher than the national median of $38,010, and ranks #10 of the 30 big metro areas we track for this job.
Pay range
| Percentile | Yearly | Hourly* |
|---|---|---|
| 10th (entry level) | $37,120 | $17.85 |
| 25th | $39,410 | $18.95 |
| Median (50th) | $43,280 | $20.81 |
| 75th | $47,340 | $22.76 |
| 90th (top earners) | $52,600 | $25.29 |
*Yearly pay divided by 2,080 hours (40 hours × 52 weeks), the full-time basis BLS uses.
Is your offer fair?
For a receptionist job in the Los Angeles metro area, here's how an offer compares:
- Below market under $39,410 ($18.95/hr). Fine for a first job in the field, otherwise worth negotiating.
- Typical $39,410 to $47,340 ($18.95 to $22.76/hr). The middle half of what people in this job earn.
- Strong offer over $47,340 ($22.76/hr). Higher than three quarters of workers here.
Before you accept
- Medical and legal offices often pay receptionists more than general offices.
- Ask whether the role is hourly and how overtime and lunch breaks are handled.
- If the duties include billing, scheduling and office management, it's more than a receptionist job. Ask for pay to match.
Also watch for the common warning signs in the posting itself: 15 job posting red flags.
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, 2025, Los Angeles metro. Occupation: Receptionists and Information Clerks (SOC 43-4171). Figures cover wage and salary workers and don't include bonuses, benefits or overtime.