by our College Data Analytics TeamA major in Receptionist covers Receptionist. A Program That Prepares Individuals To Perform Frontline Public Relations Duties For A Business, Organization, Or Answering Service. Includes Instruction In Telephone Answering Techniques, Responding To Information Requests, Keeping Caller And/or Visitor Records, Placing Business Calls, Operating Telephone Switchboards And/or Other Communications Equipment, Relaying Incoming And Interoffice Calls, Schedule Maintenance, And Public Relations Skills. Continue reading for the key facts every receptionist student should know — including career paths, salary data, the skills you will develop, and the best colleges offering receptionist programs.
Across the country, receptionist draws strong interest, with 87 degrees awarded annually.
Our 2026 Best Receptionist Schools ranking analyzes these 11 schools to determine the best overall colleges for receptionist students. Continue reading to check out one of our many unbiased rankings of receptionist programs later in this article.
Programs in Receptionist emphasize a specific mix of skills, knowledge, and abilities — derived from O*NET surveys of workers in the occupations receptionist graduates commonly enter.
Skills built by a receptionist program reflects the day-to-day work of related occupations:
Based on O*NET data, a receptionist major emphasizes the following knowledge areas:
There are several receptionist degree levels. The table below shows the typical length of the most common levels, and how many graduates earn each one.
| Degree | Typical Program Length | Graduates Annually |
|---|---|---|
| Certificate | Varies | 14 |
| Master’s Degree | 1-3 years | 59 |
People currently working in careers related to receptionist tend to have obtained the following education levels.
| Level of Education | Percentage of Workers |
|---|---|
| High school diploma or equivalent | 55.1% |
| Some college courses | 15.9% |
| Postsecondary certificate | 13.3% |
| Bachelor’s degree | 8.8% |
| Associate’s degree (or other 2-year) | 6.8% |
| Less than a high school diploma | 0.1% |
See the chart below to get an idea of what level of education most of those in receptionist careers hold.
Source: ONET Online education / training / experience requirements.*
A degree in receptionist can lead to numerous career paths. Below are some of the most common occupations related to receptionist.
The following options are some of the most in-demand careers related to receptionist.
| Occupation | Projected Jobs | Expected Growth |
|---|---|---|
| Customer Service Representatives | 2,156,323 | 9.4% |
| Receptionists and Information Clerks | 1,848,074 | 11.4% |
| Order Clerks | 1,247,994 | -0.5% |
Federal data tracks median earnings of receptionist graduates 1, 4, and 5 years after completion. Earnings tend to climb as graduates gain experience.
| Years Out | Median Earnings |
|---|---|
| 1 year | $24,716 |
| 4 years | $28,352 |
| 5 years | $31,368 |
Source: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard, field-of-study earnings tracker.
Salaries for receptionist graduates vary widely by occupation. The following table shows the top highest-paying careers receptionist grads often go into.
| Occupation | Median Annual Salary |
|---|---|
| Customer Service Representatives | $62,906 |
| Order Clerks | $58,253 |
| Receptionists and Information Clerks | $42,506 |
With 11 different receptionist programs to choose from, finding the best fit can be a challenge. We have analyzed these schools to produce unbiased receptionist school rankings to help you.
Those considering receptionist, you may also want to explore other closely related fields of study within the same broad area.
More about our data sources and methodologies.
