Receptionist salary in the United States
National median pay
$38,010/year
about $18.27 an hour full-time
Middle half earns $33,960 – $45,130
National pay range
| Percentile | Yearly | Hourly* |
|---|---|---|
| 10th (entry level) | $28,760 | $13.83 |
| 25th | $33,960 | $16.33 |
| Median (50th) | $38,010 | $18.27 |
| 75th | $45,130 | $21.70 |
| 90th (top earners) | $49,950 | $24.01 |
*Yearly pay divided by 2,080 hours (40 hours × 52 weeks), the full-time basis BLS uses.
Pay by city
Highest median pay: San Francisco ($49,450). Lowest of the cities we track: Houston ($35,350).
| Metro area | Median | Middle half |
|---|---|---|
| San Francisco, CA | $49,450 | $43,440 – $60,170 |
| San Jose, CA | $47,130 | $44,110 – $57,820 |
| Seattle, WA | $45,820 | $40,600 – $50,810 |
| Sacramento, CA | $45,140 | $38,340 – $54,280 |
| New York, NY | $44,690 | $37,860 – $49,320 |
| San Diego, CA | $44,390 | $38,330 – $47,460 |
| Boston, MA | $43,930 | $38,240 – $48,100 |
| Denver, CO | $43,680 | $38,310 – $47,810 |
| Portland, OR | $43,630 | $38,200 – $47,430 |
| Los Angeles, CA | $43,280 | $39,410 – $47,340 |
| Washington, DC | $41,240 | $36,410 – $46,560 |
| Phoenix, AZ | $39,340 | $35,880 – $45,590 |
| Detroit, MI | $38,220 | $34,930 – $43,680 |
| Chicago, IL | $38,060 | $34,960 – $45,140 |
| Philadelphia, PA | $38,030 | $34,030 – $45,340 |
| Minneapolis, MN | $38,000 | $32,020 – $46,130 |
| Baltimore, MD | $37,600 | $33,950 – $44,300 |
| Miami, FL | $37,570 | $34,270 – $43,400 |
| Atlanta, GA | $37,530 | $30,660 – $43,980 |
| Dallas, TX | $37,060 | $31,220 – $44,190 |
| Nashville, TN | $36,810 | $31,570 – $43,580 |
| Austin, TX | $36,690 | $30,280 – $44,040 |
| Tampa, FL | $36,640 | $33,280 – $40,630 |
| San Antonio, TX | $36,550 | $30,850 – $41,370 |
| Las Vegas, NV | $36,520 | $32,150 – $43,140 |
| St. Louis, MO | $36,470 | $33,640 – $41,590 |
| Charlotte, NC | $36,300 | $28,990 – $41,600 |
| Pittsburgh, PA | $36,300 | $30,130 – $42,250 |
| Orlando, FL | $36,290 | $31,880 – $38,520 |
| Houston, TX | $35,350 | $29,730 – $40,790 |
Pay depends a lot on location, so compare an on-site job with its local figures. For fully remote jobs, national pay is usually the fairest comparison.
🏆 Best paying cities for receptionists, after cost of living →
Is your offer fair?
$
- Below market under $33,960 ($16.33/hr). Fine for a first job in the field, otherwise worth negotiating.
- Typical $33,960 to $45,130 ($16.33 to $21.70/hr). The middle half of what people in this job earn.
- Strong offer over $45,130 ($21.70/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.
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, 2025. Occupation: Receptionists and Information Clerks (SOC 43-4171). Figures cover wage and salary workers and don't include bonuses, benefits or overtime.