Receptionist salary in San Jose, CA
Median pay, San Jose / Silicon Valley metro
$47,130/year
about $22.66 an hour full-time
Middle half earns $44,110 – $57,820
Half of receptionists in the San Jose / Silicon Valley metro area earn more than $47,130 a year and half earn less. That's 24% higher than the national median of $38,010, and ranks #2 of the 30 big metro areas we track for this job.
Pay range
| Percentile | Yearly | Hourly* |
|---|---|---|
| 10th (entry level) | $40,060 | $19.26 |
| 25th | $44,110 | $21.21 |
| Median (50th) | $47,130 | $22.66 |
| 75th | $57,820 | $27.80 |
| 90th (top earners) | $68,640 | $33.00 |
*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 San Jose / Silicon Valley metro area, here's how an offer compares:
- Below market under $44,110 ($21.21/hr). Fine for a first job in the field, otherwise worth negotiating.
- Typical $44,110 to $57,820 ($21.21 to $27.80/hr). The middle half of what people in this job earn.
- Strong offer over $57,820 ($27.80/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, San Jose / Silicon Valley metro. Occupation: Receptionists and Information Clerks (SOC 43-4171). Figures cover wage and salary workers and don't include bonuses, benefits or overtime.