Business & Finance
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 salary (BLS)
$38,010
10th–90th percentile (BLS)
$29k – $50k
Job outlook
No separate BLS projection for this specific role
AI exposure
Plan a path to Receptionists and Information Clerks
Education
Typical entry: No degree required
Plan my path to this →How to qualify
EstimateCost to qualify
$500–$3,150
Time to qualify
1 yr
Renewal
—
- 1
High school diploma or GED
CourseExpected by most employers; if you need the GED, test fees run $0–$150 depending on the state.
$0–$150 · 3 months · varies by state source
- 2
On-the-job training
ExperienceEmployer-provided and typically paid — days to a few months for most no-degree roles.
Cost varies · 3 months source
- 3
Industry certification (optional for many roles)
CertificationRole-dependent — e.g. CPA, Series 7/65, PMP, SHRM. Not always required, but often expected for advancement.
$500–$3,000 · 6 months source
Estimated typical U.S. route for "Receptionists and Information Clerks" — built from BLS education requirements and College Board 2024–25 average published prices (public, in-state tuition + fees + books). Not yet verified against a specific state's licensing rules — confirm with your state licensing board or program.
Typical progression
Junior Receptionists and Information Clerks
Entry / Junior
$28,760
~2 yrs to advance
Receptionists and Information Clerks
Established
$38,010
~3 yrs to advance
Senior Receptionists and Information Clerks
Senior
$43,980
Key skills
A typical day
- •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.
Fields of study
Any field
Top colleges for Business & Finance
Explore all- University of Pennsylvania6% admit · $112,000 grad pay
- Massachusetts Institute of Technology4% admit · $124,000 grad pay
- Harvard University4% admit · $119,000 grad pay
- University of California, Berkeley11% admit · $97,000 grad pay
- New York University12% admit · $84,000 grad pay
Reputation-based selection; stats shown are outcome data per school.