What it pays
Government survey numbers — not estimates, not ads.
Half of all Receptionists and Information Clerks in the U.S. earn more than $38,010 a year — the middle 80% land between $28,760 and $49,950. About 910,180 people in the U.S. do this work. Figures are for the U.S. occupation group “Receptionists and Information Clerks”. (U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics survey, published 2025.) In India, Clerical support workers earn about ₹24,252 a month on average — around ₹2.9 lakh a year (government PLFS survey via ILOSTAT, occupation-family figure).
$38,010typical pay / year
910,180people in this work
$49,950+top 10% earn
₹2.9 lakha year in India (family avg)
Think you get this job?Six quick questions on how it really works — with a hint and the reason behind every answer.
Test yourself →The work, task by task
These are the real jobs-to-be-done, not a wish list. Each task shows where we found it, and the prompt underneath is written for that exact task.
Keeping the record5
Answer calls on a switchboard
+Answer incoming switchboard calls, route callers to the appropriate extension or voicemail, log missed calls…
Answer calls on a switchboard
+Answer incoming switchboard calls, route callers to the appropriate extension or voicemail, log missed calls with caller name and reason, escalate urgent issues to the duty manager, and review call logs with IT weekly.
The tools that do the workAutomated information systemESCOjob descriptionsO*NETWikipedia
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Set appointments
+Set appointments for clients by checking available slots, offer the next two openings within requested…
Set appointments
+Set appointments for clients by checking available slots, offer the next two openings within requested timeframe, record contact details, send confirmation and reminder messages, and update the shared calendar so providers see changes.
The tools that do the workAppointment schedulingjob descriptionsO*NETWikipedia
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Answer customer inquiries
+Answer customer inquiries by phone or at the desk, listen for the issue, look up account or service notes,…
Answer customer inquiries
+Answer customer inquiries by phone or at the desk, listen for the issue, look up account or service notes, provide clear next steps or transfer to the appropriate colleague, and record the interaction in the customer log.
The tools that do the workAutomated information systemESCOjob descriptionsWikipedia
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Perform cashier work
+Perform cashier duties: total purchases or service fees, accept payment by card or cash, issue receipts,…
Perform cashier work
+Perform cashier duties: total purchases or service fees, accept payment by card or cash, issue receipts, reconcile the till at shift end, and enter transactions into the daily sales record for accounting.
The tools that do the workIntuit QuickBooksO*NETWikipedia
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Sort and hand out mail
+Sort incoming mail by department and urgency, deliver interoffice envelopes and packages to recipients on the…
Sort and hand out mail
+Sort incoming mail by department and urgency, deliver interoffice envelopes and packages to recipients on the floor within two hours, log tracked items, and place general distribution on the mail table for pickup.
The tools that do the work3M Post-itjob descriptionsWikipedia
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The daily work19
Perform duties, such as taking care of plants or straightening magazines to maintain lobby or reception area.
+Tidy the reception area now: water the ficus and succulents, wipe down the front desk and brochure rack,…
Perform duties, such as taking care of plants or straightening magazines to maintain lobby or reception area.
+Tidy the reception area now: water the ficus and succulents, wipe down the front desk and brochure rack, straighten the current issue magazines, and flag any damaged furniture for maintenance before the morning shift arrives.
The tools that do the workMicrosoft OfficeO*NET
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Calculate and quote rates for tours, stocks, insurance policies, or other products or services.
+Quote a one-day city tour for two adults and one child: calculate the per-person rate, add the 10 percent…
Calculate and quote rates for tours, stocks, insurance policies, or other products or services.
+Quote a one-day city tour for two adults and one child: calculate the per-person rate, add the 10 percent service fee and current tax, note available departure times, and give the caller the lowest total price with the payment deadline and cancellation terms.
The tools that do the workMicrosoft ExcelO*NET
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Keep a current record of staff members' whereabouts and availability.
+Update the staff whereabouts sheet with today's in-office, remote, and out-at-meeting statuses, include…
Keep a current record of staff members' whereabouts and availability.
+Update the staff whereabouts sheet with today's in-office, remote, and out-at-meeting statuses, include expected return times and best contact numbers, then circulate the updated list to the operations team before 9:00 a.m.
The tools that do the workGoogle DocsO*NET
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Enroll individuals to participate in programs and notify them of their acceptance.
+Register Maria Lopez for the summer program, confirm her contact details and emergency contact, mark her as…
Enroll individuals to participate in programs and notify them of their acceptance.
+Register Maria Lopez for the summer program, confirm her contact details and emergency contact, mark her as accepted, and send an acceptance message with start date, required forms, and the orientation time slot.
The tools that do the workAppointment schedulingGoogle DocsO*NET
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Forward calls to appropriate personnel
+Take this incoming call for facilities and forward it to Javier in maintenance, confirm he's available now,…
Forward calls to appropriate personnel
+Take this incoming call for facilities and forward it to Javier in maintenance, confirm he's available now, and if he isn't, send the caller to reception voicemail with a note that Javier will call back within the hour.
The tools that do the workAutomated information systemjob descriptions
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Manage inventory and place orders
+Check current office supplies against the inventory log, reorder low-stock pens, name badges and reception…
Manage inventory and place orders
+Check current office supplies against the inventory log, reorder low-stock pens, name badges and reception paper from approved vendors, place orders so deliveries arrive by next Tuesday, and confirm costs with finance before submitting.
The tools that do the workMicrosoft ExcelMicrosoft Outlookjob descriptions
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Answer telephone calls
+Answer incoming lines, greet callers with the building name, determine who or which department they need,…
Answer telephone calls
+Answer incoming lines, greet callers with the building name, determine who or which department they need, transfer the call or take a clear message with caller name, company, callback number and reason, then log the outcome.
The tools that do the workAutomated information systemWikipedia
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Assist with room reservations and assignments
+Check the room schedule for available spaces, confirm the requester’s name, time and special setup, assign…
Assist with room reservations and assignments
+Check the room schedule for available spaces, confirm the requester’s name, time and special setup, assign the best-fit room, update the master schedule so conflicts are prevented, and email the requester the confirmation and access details.
The tools that do the workAppointment schedulingMicrosoft OutlookWikipedia
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Handle guest registration
+Register arriving guests by recording full name, photo ID type and number, host, arrival time and vehicle…
Handle guest registration
+Register arriving guests by recording full name, photo ID type and number, host, arrival time and vehicle details if any, print a temporary badge, notify the host, and file the registration record for that day.
The tools that do the workAutomated information systemWikipedia
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Conduct credit checks
+Before check-in, verify the guest’s card details and authorization with their company, run the card through…
Conduct credit checks
+Before check-in, verify the guest’s card details and authorization with their company, run the card through the approved verification service, flag any declines for manager review, and log the approval code or reason for refusal.
The tools that do the workIntuit QuickBooksWikipedia
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Resolve customer complaints
+Take the customer complaint call from Mr. Alvarez, document his issue and timeline, call back his manager…
Resolve customer complaints
+Take the customer complaint call from Mr. Alvarez, document his issue and timeline, call back his manager Sarah by 4pm with the proposed resolution, and log the outcome so front office and facilities know to follow up tomorrow.
The tools that do the workAutomated information systemjob descriptionsO*NET
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File documents
+Gather the new tenant lease, two vendor invoices, and the signed NDAs, alphabetise them by last name, add…
File documents
+Gather the new tenant lease, two vendor invoices, and the signed NDAs, alphabetise them by last name, add them to the active file cabinet and update the index so I can fetch any paper in under two minutes.
The tools that do the workMicrosoft Wordjob descriptionsWikipedia
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Keep records
+Update the visitor log and staff access list with today's arrivals and departures, verify spellings and badge…
Keep records
+Update the visitor log and staff access list with today's arrivals and departures, verify spellings and badge numbers, save a copy for tomorrow's morning handover, and flag any missing entries for follow-up.
The tools that do the workAppointment schedulingjob descriptionsWikipedia
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File and maintain records.
+Sort the new client contracts into the permanent files and the temporary review tray, scan the permanent ones…
File and maintain records.
+Sort the new client contracts into the permanent files and the temporary review tray, scan the permanent ones to the shared archive, reconcile the paper count with the digital index, and note any missing signatures.
The tools that do the workGoogle DocsO*NET
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Collect, sort, distribute, or prepare mail, messages, or courier deliveries.
+Collect today's incoming courier packages, sign for deliveries addressed to Marketing and Facilities, notify…
Collect, sort, distribute, or prepare mail, messages, or courier deliveries.
+Collect today's incoming courier packages, sign for deliveries addressed to Marketing and Facilities, notify recipients by phone and place items on their desks, and record any refused or returned parcels in the deliveries log.
The tools that do the workMicrosoft OutlookO*NET
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Provide information about establishment, such as location of departments or offices, employees within the organization, or services provided.
+Answer the line asking where Payroll is located, tell callers Payroll sits in Suite 4B on the second floor,…
Provide information about establishment, such as location of departments or offices, employees within the organization, or services provided.
+Answer the line asking where Payroll is located, tell callers Payroll sits in Suite 4B on the second floor, email the updated department phone list to reception and post a printed map at the desk for the afternoon shift.
The tools that do the workMicrosoft WordO*NET
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Manage key control
+Update the key log with today's check-ins and check-outs, verify physical keys against the ring labeled…
Manage key control
+Update the key log with today's check-ins and check-outs, verify physical keys against the ring labeled Maintenance, note any missing keys with time and staff name, and email the floor manager a stamped scan of the updated log by 5pm today.
The tools that do the workMicrosoft ExcelMicrosoft OutlookWikipedia
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Provide mail and message services
+Sort incoming mail by department, photograph and upload any packages into the front desk receipt list, leave…
Provide mail and message services
+Sort incoming mail by department, photograph and upload any packages into the front desk receipt list, leave paper notices on recipient desks, and send a consolidated delivery summary to department admins by 3pm.
The tools that do the workMicrosoft OutlookMicrosoft WordWikipedia
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Handle service problem reports
+Log the service complaint with time, caller name, location, and urgency, assign it to Facilities with…
Handle service problem reports
+Log the service complaint with time, caller name, location, and urgency, assign it to Facilities with expected response time, follow up by phone if not acknowledged in 30 minutes, and update the incident register when resolved.
The tools that do the workAutomated information systemESCO
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Says who?
These are the pages we read to build this. Open any of them and check us.
The logs, files & records this job keeps
Shared with other careers — the same record means something different in each.
Related careers
Same family of work — each with its own tasks and prompts.
The LLOS Work Atlas is the world's largest evidenced task library — a map of human work, with a ready prompt behind every task. 1,774 careers · every task named by the sources that witnessed it — O*NET, ESCO, real job descriptions, Wikipedia — and the deepest tasks by several at once. And it is honest about limits: where AI cannot help, the map says so.
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Built on public evidence: O*NET®, ESCO, Wikipedia, U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, ILOSTAT. All sources & licenses
Built on public evidence: O*NET®, ESCO, Wikipedia, U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, ILOSTAT. All sources & licenses