Receptionists and Information Clerks: Salary, Job Outlook & How to Become One (2026 Parent Guide)

Receptionists and Information Clerks fall under the Office and Administrative Support category in the U.S. occupational classification. Receptionists and Information Clerks earn a median salary of $37,230 per year, ranking in the top 91% of all U.S. occupations. The Bureau of Labor Statistics projects 0.0% job growth through 2034, projected to grow slower than the US average. Entry into this field typically requires a high school diploma plus on-the-job training, certifications, or postsecondary credentials, with specific licensing or certification depending on the state and employer. For parents whose teenager is exploring this path, the most actionable step is mapping the education requirements to specific colleges and majors before junior year — not waiting until application season.

What do receptionists and information clerks earn?

The median annual wage for receptionists and information clerks is $37,230. That puts receptionists and information clerks at #739 on the BLS ranked list of all U.S. occupations by median pay. This salary is around or below the U.S. median for individual workers, so career growth often depends on advancement into supervisory roles, specialization, or additional credentials. Actual pay varies meaningfully by state, employer type, and years of experience — entry-level salaries are typically 30–40% below the median, while top-decile earners often exceed it by 50% or more.

Is receptionists and information clerks a growing career?

The 10-year outlook for receptionists and information clerks is 0.0%, projected to grow slower than the US average. Employment is projected to move from approximately 1.0M positions in 2024 to 1.0M in 2034, a net change of 0K. Flat growth typically reflects a mature, stable field. Most openings will come from retirements rather than new positions, which can favor candidates with strong networks and willingness to relocate.

What do receptionists and information clerks do every day?

According to O*NET task surveys of working receptionists and information clerks, these are the core responsibilities most professionals perform. This is what your teen would actually be doing in this role.

1. 1.Schedule appointments and maintain and update appointment calendars.
2. 2.Perform administrative support tasks, such as proofreading, transcribing handwritten information, or operating calculators or computers to work with pay records, invoices, balance sheets, or other documents.
3. 3.Collect, sort, distribute, or prepare mail, messages, or courier deliveries.
4. 4.Greet persons entering establishment, determine nature and purpose of visit, and direct or escort them to specific destinations.
5. 5.Transmit information or documents to customers, using computer, mail, or facsimile machine.
6. 6.Perform duties, such as taking care of plants or straightening magazines to maintain lobby or reception area.
7. 7.Receive payment and record receipts for services.
8. 8.Hear and resolve complaints from customers or the public.

Top skills for receptionists and information clerks

O*NET ranks these as the most important skills for this occupation, on a 1–5 importance scale derived from worker surveys.

What education does my child need to become receptionists and information clerk?

Many receptionists and information clerks enter the field with a high school diploma plus on-the-job training, though employers increasingly favor candidates with certifications or some postsecondary coursework. For parents helping a teen prepare, the highest-leverage step before junior year is identifying colleges and programs that feed reliably into this occupation — Solyo's college search lets parents filter by major and admissions data side by side.

Related careers your child might also consider

• Executive Secretaries and Executive Administrative Assistants
  $74,260 median
• First-Line Supervisors of Office and Administrative Support Workers
  $66,140 median
• Brokerage Clerks
  $62,940 median
• Postal Service Clerks
  $61,630 median
• Production, Planning, and Expediting Clerks
  $57,770 median
• Postal Service Mail Carriers
  $57,490 median

Common questions parents ask about receptionists and information clerks