by our College Data Analytics TeamContinue reading to check out one of our many unbiased rankings of receptionist programs later in this article.
One of the most important skills you will need for a career in receptionist is giving full attention to what other people are saying, taking time to understand the points being made, asking questions as appropriate, and not interrupting at inappropriate times. Required skills include talking to others to convey information effectively and actively looking for ways to help people.
A high school diploma or equivalent is typically required for most receptionist degree programs and many students will need a minimum GPA and SAT/ACT score depending on the school. In addition to these basic receptionist program qualifications, to serve in some receptionist careers, special certification may be required outside of your degree.
There are various different levels of receptionist degrees. Receptionist programs offered by schools range from a to a , which is the highest receptionist degree you can get. How long it takes to complete some common receptionist degree levels is shown below.
| Degree | Credit Requirements | Typical Program Length |
|---|---|---|
| Associate Degree | 60-70 credits | 2 years |
| Bachelor’s Degree | 120 credits | 4 years |
| Master’s Degree | 50-70 credits | 1-3 years |
| Doctorate | Program required coursework including thesis or dissertation | At least 4 years |
A bachelor's degree is the most common level of education achieved by those in careers related to receptionist, with approximately 27.0% of workers getting one. People currently working in careers related to receptionist tend obtained the following education levels.
| Level of Education | Percentage of Workers |
|---|---|
| High School Diploma | 51.9% |
| Bachelor’s Degree | 20.1% |
| Associate’s Degree (or other 2-year degree) | 9.8% |
| Some College Courses | 6.8% |
| Less than a High School Diploma | 4.6% |
See the chart below for the most common degree level workers in receptionist have received.
This of course varies depending on which receptionist career you choose.
Want a job when you graduate with your receptionist degree? Receptionist careers are expected to grow 6.0% between 2016 and 2026.
The following options are some of the most in-demand careers related to receptionist.
| Occupation Name | Projected Jobs | Expected Growth |
|---|---|---|
| Customer Service Representatives | 2,920,800 | 4.9% |
| Receptionists and Information Clerks | 1,149,200 | 9.1% |
As you might expect, salaries for receptionist graduates vary depending on the level of education that was acquired.
Salaries for receptionist graduates can vary widely by the occupation you choose as well. The following table shows the top highest paying careers receptionist grads often go into.
| Occupation Name | Median Average Salary |
|---|---|
| Customer Service Representatives | $36,470 |
| Receptionists and Information Clerks | $30,350 |
With over 19 different receptionist degree programs to choose from, finding the best fit for you can be a challenge. Fortunately you have come to the right place. We have analyzed all of these schools to come up with hundreds of unbiased receptionist school rankings to help you with this.
Receptionist is one of 8 different types of Business Support & Assistant Services programs to choose from.
| Related Major | Annual Graduates |
|---|---|
| General Administrative Assistant and Secretarial Science | 6,847 |
| Customer Service Support/Call Center/Teleservice Operation | 4,699 |
| Business & Office Technology | 2,730 |
| General Office Occupations and Clerical Services | 2,122 |
| Executive Assistant/Executive Secretary | 1,772 |