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Profession JRI–12 / Admin

Will AI replace receptionists?

The receptionist outlook is one of stagnation rather than collapse: the 910,180 positions are expected to hold essentially flat, a 0.0% change by 2034. Automated phone menus, online booking, and AI assistants now absorb much of the call-routing, scheduling, and front-desk record-keeping the role centers on.

The risk spectrum — where Receptionist sits
Receptionist vs the 83 other jobs
Risk rank12 / 84
Automation timeline0-2 years
Median salary$38,010
Projected growth+0.0% (2024–34)
01 / Your plan

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Updated Sep 21, 2026

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02 / Job market

Official outlook: holding steady.

Within the 84 professions
Salary$38,010
$31k$171k
Growth+0.0% (2024–34)
-25.9%33.5%

The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics projects a +0.0% change in employment for this occupation between 2024 and 2034, from a current base of 910,180 people employed earning a median of $38,010 a year.

Source: BLS Employment Projections 2024–34 & OEWS May 2025.

AI adoption in postings →

03 / Real salaries

Receptionist salaries by city

Median pay from real records (H-1B filings and tech job postings), across the cities with most observations.

New York$59,280Fresno$45,760

Range shows p25–p75; the dot is the median. Sources carry a documented bias — see the full salary page.

See real salaries →

04 / How to enter

How to become a receptionist.

Typical preparation

Job Zone Two: Some Preparation Needed

Education

These occupations usually require a high school diploma.

Experience

Some previous work-related skill, knowledge, or experience is usually needed.

Job training

Employees in these occupations need anywhere from a few months to one year of working with experienced employees. A recognized apprenticeship program may be associated with these occupations.

Getting in is one thing — the day-to-day runs on a specific set of tools and skills:

Foundations
Core skills
Tools

Full skill path with courses →

07 / FAQ

What people ask.

01Will AI replace receptionists?
With an automation share near 59% and a 0-2 year horizon, routine front-desk tasks are increasingly handled by software. However, the 910,180 current roles are projected to shift only 0.0% by 2034, because in-person greeting and exception handling remain hard to automate.
02How soon could automation affect Receptionists?
A 0-2 year automation window puts phone answering and appointment scheduling at immediate risk. The occupation's total employment of 910,180 and a +0.0% change through 2034 suggest duties shift rather than disappear.
03What skills keep Receptionists relevant?
Office and scheduling coordination carries high demand, according to the evidence; guest hospitality and light bookkeeping show medium demand. Speaking, active listening and service orientation are the interpersonal strengths named for entering this work.
04How do you become a Receptionist?
A high school diploma is the usual educational requirement for this occupation. Would-be receptionists can build on speaking, active listening and service orientation, and gain experience with office tools such as Microsoft Excel or QuickBooks.
05What roles can Receptionists pivot to?
Two natural moves are to Customer Service Representatives, whose assessed risk is 75, or Administrative Assistants, listed at 82. Both share administrative and scheduling duties, and the transition builds on the same interpersonal and coordination skills.
06Is being a Receptionist a good career to start in 2026?
An annual midpoint wage of 38010 and a +0.0% projected change for 2024–34 make this a steady field. A high school diploma is the typical entry requirement, though an automation share near 59% means continued skill development is wise.
07What daily tasks does a Receptionist handle?
Answering and screening calls on a telephone switchboard is a core task, along with greeting visitors and directing them to specific destinations. Receiving payments for services and resolving complaints from the public round out the position's daily responsibilities.