How much does a receptionist and information clerk make?
The median receptionist and information clerk in the United States earns $38,010 per year, about $18.27 an hour. That is the midpoint of the profession: half of all receptionists and information clerks earn more, and half earn less.
Source: BLS OEWS, May 2025. SOC code 43-4171.
Receptionist and information clerk salary range
Pay for receptionists and information clerks spans a wide band. The lowest paid 10 percent earn under $28,760 a year, while the highest paid 10 percent take home more than $49,950. The average (mean) wage of $39,460 runs a bit higher than the median, which is normal for jobs where a group of top earners pulls the average up.
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile | $28,760 | $13.83 | Lowest paid |
| 25th percentile | $33,960 | $16.33 | |
| Median (50th) | $38,010 | $18.27 | Midpoint |
| 75th percentile | $45,130 | $21.70 | |
| 90th percentile | $49,950 | $24.01 | Highest paid |
Figures are national wage estimates for receptionists and information clerks (SOC 43-4171), U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, OEWS, May 2025.
Receptionist and information clerk salary by state
Where you work changes the paycheck. Receptionists and information clerks earn the most in District of Columbia at $49,060 a year, and the least in Mississippi at $31,160. The table below lists every state with published data, ranked by median annual salary.
| State | Median annual | Employed |
|---|---|---|
| District of Columbia | $49,060 | 2,000 |
| Alaska | $44,720 | 1,530 |
| Washington | $44,710 | 26,500 |
| California | $44,100 | 82,470 |
| Massachusetts | $43,870 | 18,970 |
| New York | $43,080 | 65,010 |
| Rhode Island | $42,620 | 4,270 |
| Maine | $42,440 | 3,440 |
| Colorado | $42,010 | 11,020 |
| New Jersey | $41,650 | 42,060 |
| Hawaii | $41,600 | 3,510 |
| Wisconsin | $41,150 | 25,580 |
| Oregon | $40,900 | 13,590 |
| Connecticut | $40,630 | 14,980 |
| North Dakota | $39,530 | 1,930 |
| Arizona | $38,730 | 23,220 |
| Vermont | $38,370 | 1,160 |
| South Dakota | $38,280 | 5,760 |
| New Hampshire | $38,160 | 5,320 |
| Maryland | $38,100 | 18,390 |
| Nebraska | $37,860 | 6,750 |
| Minnesota | $37,510 | 11,800 |
| Wyoming | $37,480 | 1,540 |
| Michigan | $37,470 | 25,230 |
| Illinois | $37,400 | 40,370 |
| Montana | $37,360 | 1,280 |
| Iowa | $37,330 | 4,660 |
| Virginia | $37,060 | 23,360 |
| Nevada | $37,050 | 10,650 |
| Utah | $36,960 | 12,020 |
| Florida | $36,810 | 63,280 |
| Idaho | $36,810 | 5,340 |
| Pennsylvania | $36,810 | 37,830 |
| Delaware | $36,310 | 2,880 |
| Indiana | $36,160 | 17,360 |
| Georgia | $36,100 | 26,080 |
| Kansas | $36,050 | 7,290 |
| Ohio | $35,920 | 30,850 |
| Missouri | $35,740 | 18,890 |
| South Carolina | $35,510 | 11,280 |
| North Carolina | $35,440 | 20,080 |
| Texas | $35,210 | 78,330 |
| New Mexico | $35,140 | 5,650 |
| Tennessee | $34,910 | 11,460 |
| Arkansas | $34,840 | 10,870 |
| Oklahoma | $34,560 | 9,380 |
| Kentucky | $32,940 | 9,290 |
| Louisiana | $32,750 | 12,820 |
| Alabama | $32,590 | 10,460 |
| West Virginia | $31,920 | 5,470 |
| Mississippi | $31,160 | 6,920 |
State median wages for receptionists and information clerks (SOC 43-4171), U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, OEWS state files, May 2025. States where the BLS does not publish a median are not shown.
Job outlook for receptionists and information clerks
The BLS projects employment of receptionists and information clerks to shrink from 2025 to 2035 (down 1.7%). That is a decline, against 3.5% average growth for all occupations. That works out to roughly 947,500 jobs in 2025 moving toward 931,600 by 2035.
Across the decade, the BLS expects about 105,100 openings a year for receptionists and information clerks. Most come from the need to replace workers who move to other jobs or leave the workforce, on top of any new positions from growth.
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Employment Projections program, 2025-35 (Table 1.2, Occupational projections and worker characteristics).
How to become a receptionist and information clerk
The typical entry-level education for receptionists and information clerks is a high school diploma or equivalent, according to the BLS. New hires typically complete short-term on-the-job training to reach full competency.
A four-year college degree is usually not required to start, which makes this one of the jobs you can enter without a bachelor's degree. See more high paying jobs without a degree .
Education, training, and experience data: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Employment Projections program.
What affects how much a receptionist and information clerk earns
Employer, industry, seniority, and metro area drive pay. Large organizations and high cost cities pay above small offices and entry-level roles.
Location is one of the clearest factors. The gap between the top paying state (District of Columbia, $49,060) and the lowest (Mississippi, $31,160) shows how much geography alone can move the number, before experience or specialization.
About 910,180 people work as receptionists and information clerks in the United States. At $38,010 a year, the job pays below the $50,980 median for all U.S. jobs.
Receptionist and information clerk salary FAQ
How much does a receptionist and information clerk make an hour?
The median hourly wage for a receptionist and information clerk is $18.27. The middle half of receptionists and information clerks earn between $16.33 and $21.70 per hour.
What is the highest receptionist and information clerk salary?
The highest paid 10 percent of receptionists and information clerks earn more than $49,950 per year. Top earners usually have the most experience and work in the best paying regions and industries.
How much does a receptionist and information clerk make a year?
The median annual salary for a receptionist and information clerk is $38,010. The average (mean) wage of $39,460 runs a bit higher than the median, which is normal for jobs where a group of top earners pulls the average up.
Is being a receptionist and information clerk a well paid job?
At $38,010 a year, a receptionist and information clerk earns below the $50,980 median for all U.S. jobs. About 910,180 people work as receptionists and information clerks in the United States.
Which state pays receptionists and information clerks the most?
District of Columbia has the highest median salary for receptionists and information clerks at $49,060 a year. Alaska ($44,720) and Washington ($44,710) follow. State medians come from the BLS OEWS state files, May 2025.
Is being a receptionist and information clerk a good career?
Employment of receptionists and information clerks is projected to shrink 1.7% from 2025 to 2035, a decline, against 3.5% average growth for all occupations. The BLS projects about 105,100 openings each year, from growth and from workers leaving the occupation.
Do you need a degree to become a receptionist and information clerk?
No. The BLS lists the typical entry-level education for receptionists and information clerks as a high school diploma or equivalent, so a four-year degree is usually not required to start.
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