Receptionists

(NOC 1414)

in All Business, Finance, and Administration

Receptionists greet people arriving at offices, hospitals and other institutions, direct visitors to appropriate person or service, answer and forward telephone calls, take messages, schedule appointments and do other clerical duties. They work at hospitals, medical and dental offices and throughout the public and private sectors. Telephone operators are included in this group.

Job Outlook

Average

Read more

  • Estimate Moderate growth employment change, 2021-2023
  • Estimate 345 openings due to growth and retirements, 2021-2023
  • Estimate Moderate rate of unemployment in 2022

Compared to: All Business, Finance, and Administration

  • Estimate 3555 employment change, 2021-2023
  • Estimate 9370 openings due to growth and retirements, 2021-2023
  • Estimate rate of unemployment not available for these occupation.

Jobseekers may find that the market for receptionists in their area is fairly balanced, with job openings arising frequently but multiple applicants vying for them. There has been a growing number of virtual reception services, which may provide jobseekers with more opportunities or the option to work from home. The skill level and responsibilities associated with this role can differ from one employer to another. Many opportunities remain strictly a reception role, and require only basic computer and communication skills, while others may include customer service, sales, or social media-related responsibilities, which require a more specific and diverse skillset.

Hourly Pay

$14.50

Minimum

$18.46

Median

$24.00

Maximum

Annual Pay

$4,496

Minimum

$21,099

Median

$40,836

Maximum

Compared to: All Business, Finance, and Administration

Hourly Pay

$15.00

Minimum

$23.00

Median

$38.50

Maximum

Annual Pay

$6,754

Minimum

$36,515

Median

$70,271

Maximum

About the job

Nature of work

Receptionists greet people arriving at offices, hospitals and other institutions, direct visitors to appropriate person or service, answer and forward telephone calls, take messages, schedule appointments and do other clerical duties. They work at hospitals, medical and dental offices and throughout the public and private sectors. Telephone operators are included in this group.

Job duties

Receptionists:

  • Greet people coming into offices and other organizations and direct them to the appropriate areas, contacts or services.
  • Provide general information in person and by phone.
  • Record bookings, handle credit card checks, receive payment, issue receipts, arrange reservations and deal with emergency situations.
  • May carry out clerical duties and maintain front desk security and security access lists.

Hospital admitting clerks:

  • Interview patients to get information required to provide hospital and medical services.

Medical and dental receptionists:

  • Greet patients, schedule appointments, receive and record payment for services, and direct patients to appropriate areas.

Switchboard operators:

  • Use a telephone system or switchboard to answer, screen and forward telephone calls, take messages and provide information as required, and may do clerical duties.

Answering service operators:

  • Answer telephones and record and relay messages.

Telephone operators:

  • Use telephone systems to complete customers' telephone calls like long distance, pay telephone, mobile radio/telephone and person to person calls, arrange teleconferences, provide relay phone service to persons with disabilities, and may calculate and record billing information.

Sample job titles

  • dental receptionist
  • emergency admitting clerk
  • front desk clerk (except hotel)
  • hospital admitting clerk
  • information desk clerk
  • medical office assistant
  • office receptionist
  • reception clerk
  • receptionist
  • switchboard operator

Skills

  • Good communication and interpersonal skills are critical. Familiarity with computer software and other office equipment is needed and a willingness to learn and adapt to continually changing technology is also important. Your work must be accurate, and you should enjoy repetitive tasks. You should also be cooperative and able to work as part of a team.

Job requirements

  • High school is usually required.
  • On-the-job training may be provided.

Other considerations

  • Some receptionists need to be bilingual or multilingual to perform their duties. Movement to supervisor positions is possible with experience.

By the numbers

Quick look

3,650

employed in 2016

64.4%

employed full-time

0.3%

self employed

93.3%
Icons/female Created with Sketch.
6.7%
Icons/male Created with Sketch.
43.8

median age

Compared to: All Business, Finance, and Administration

63,775

employed in 2016

78.4%

employed full-time

6.6%

self employed

73.4%
Icons/female Created with Sketch.
26.6%
Icons/male Created with Sketch.
47.9

median age

Where will I likely work?

51.9%

Halifax

$21,204 median annual income
14.0%

North Shore

$22,836 median annual income
12.1%

Annapolis Valley

$19,093 median annual income
11.4%

Cape Breton

$25,004 median annual income
10.7%

Southern

$21,376 median annual income

Compared to: All NS Occupations

47.0%

Halifax

15.6%

North Shore

12.9%

Annapolis Valley

12.7%

Cape Breton

11.8%

Southern

Top Industries of Employment

42.8%

Health care and social assistance

10.4%

Other services (except public administration)

9.2%

Retail trade

9.2%

Professional, scientific and technical services

4.1%

Administrative and support, waste management and remediation services

What is the age of Employment?

20.0%

45-54

20.0%

55-64

18.0%

15-24

18.0%

25-34

15.0%

35-44

8.0%

65+

Compared to: All Business, Finance, and Administration

26.3%

45-54

22.6%

55-64

19.4%

35-44

16.7%

25-34

7.5%

65+

Top levels of education

38.9%

College Diploma

$25,768 median annual income
32.7%

High school

$19,963 median annual income
10.7%

Bachelor

$18,125 median annual income
6.6%

Less than high school

$8,996 median annual income
6.6%

Trade Certification

$21,119 median annual income

Compared to: All Business, Finance, and Administration

33.8%

College Diploma

$36,304 median annual income
23.8%

High school

$32,903 median annual income
22.8%

Bachelor

$41,755 median annual income
5.8%

Trade Certification

$34,807 median annual income
4.9%

Less than high school

$23,174 median annual income

Education & training

High School Diploma or Equivalent

High School Program

Adults without a high school diploma can contact the Nova Scotia School for Adult Learning (NSSAL) for tuition-free programming across the province. NSSAL oversees adult education programs in Nova Scotia. NSSAL partners with the Nova Scotia Community College, Adult High Schools, Université Sainte-Anne, and community-based learning organizations to deliver programs. NSSAL offers clear, accessible pathways from adult basic education to a high school credential or GED.

Institutions providing this program

Universite Sainte-Anne

Pointe-de-l'Église, NS

Nova Scotia Community College

Various, NS

Adult High Schools

Various, NS

Community Learning Organizations

Various, NS

Employment requirements & contacts

No regulating bodies were found under this occupation profile

Contacts

Association of Administrative Professionals
Halifax, NS

Additional resources

There are no additional resources for this occupation.