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.
Sending & sharing5
Answer calls on a switchboard
+Answer incoming calls on the switchboard, note caller name, company and urgent topic, place non-urgent…
Answer calls on a switchboard
+Answer incoming calls on the switchboard, note caller name, company and urgent topic, place non-urgent callers on hold with estimated wait time, and transfer urgent technical or facilities issues to Mark in maintenance immediately.
The tools that do the workAutomated information systemESCOjob descriptionsO*NETWikipedia
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Set appointments
+Set appointments for clients by checking available slots for Dr. Patel this week, offer the nearest 30 or 60…
Set appointments
+Set appointments for clients by checking available slots for Dr. Patel this week, offer the nearest 30 or 60 minute openings, confirm client phone and email, and add the booking to the calendar with a reminder 24 hours before.
The tools that do the workAppointment schedulingjob descriptionsO*NETWikipedia
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Answer customer inquiries
+Handle customer inquiries by identifying their account or order number, answer product and billing questions…
Answer customer inquiries
+Handle customer inquiries by identifying their account or order number, answer product and billing questions using the knowledge notes, escalate unresolved issues to Priya in Customer Support with a summary and desired outcome.
The tools that do the workAutomated information systemESCOjob descriptionsWikipedia
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Perform cashier work
+Perform cashier duties at the front desk: ring up purchases, accept card or cash, give correct change, print…
Perform cashier work
+Perform cashier duties at the front desk: ring up purchases, accept card or cash, give correct change, print a receipt and record the transaction under today's sales batch for end-of-day reconciliation.
The tools that do the workAlpha Software Alpha FiveO*NETWikipedia
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Sort and hand out mail
+Sort incoming mail by department and urgency, place addressed parcels on the courier table for Elaine in…
Sort and hand out mail
+Sort incoming mail by department and urgency, place addressed parcels on the courier table for Elaine in Logistics, deliver all time-sensitive invoices to Finance by noon, and leave interoffice memos on recipients' desks.
The tools that do the work3M Post-itjob descriptionsWikipedia
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The daily work18
Resolve customer complaints
+Take ownership of the complaint from Mrs. Alvarez about the delayed service, call her within the hour,…
Resolve customer complaints
+Take ownership of the complaint from Mrs. Alvarez about the delayed service, call her within the hour, apologise, confirm the incident details, offer the £25 service credit we are authorised to give, log the call and outcome in the customer file, and escalate to Facilities if she asks for manager review.
The tools that do the workAutomated information systemjob descriptionsO*NET
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File documents
+Gather the invoice, signed delivery note and the client form for Johnson Catering, place the paper originals…
File documents
+Gather the invoice, signed delivery note and the client form for Johnson Catering, place the paper originals in the A4 client folder labelled Johnson Catering, update the index sheet with today’s date and my initials, then scan the folder page and save it to the shared client archive.
The tools that do the workMicrosoft WordAutomated information systemjob descriptionsWikipedia
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File and maintain records.
+Sort the incoming personnel files, file completed onboarding packs into the HR permanent binders in…
File and maintain records.
+Sort the incoming personnel files, file completed onboarding packs into the HR permanent binders in alphabetical order, move pending packs to the action tray, update the master index to reflect each file’s shelf location, and record the action in the reception ledger.
The tools that do the workMicrosoft OfficeO*NET
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Collect, sort, distribute, or prepare mail, messages, or courier deliveries.
+Collect the morning post, sort items to departments, note urgent courier parcels, text the recipients and…
Collect, sort, distribute, or prepare mail, messages, or courier deliveries.
+Collect the morning post, sort items to departments, note urgent courier parcels, text the recipients and leave parcels at reception with a signed handover, record delivery times and courier details in the dispatch log, and notify Facilities of any returned mail.
The tools that do the workAppointment schedulingO*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 caller asking where Accounts sits, tell them Accounts is on the second floor, dial extension 322…
Provide information about establishment, such as location of departments or offices, employees within the organization, or services provided.
+Answer the caller asking where Accounts sits, tell them Accounts is on the second floor, dial extension 322 for them, offer to patch the call through or send a map by email, and add a quick note to the visitor guide about the caller’s question so new staff can use it.
The tools that do the workMicrosoft OutlookO*NET
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Manage key control
+Update the key log with who has each set, note keys returned since Monday, flag any missing keys to…
Manage key control
+Update the key log with who has each set, note keys returned since Monday, flag any missing keys to Facilities and Sam in security, and print two signed checkout slips for contractors arriving at 9:00 a.m.
The tools that do the workMicrosoft ExcelWikipedia
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Provide mail and message services
+Sort incoming mail by department, scan and save courier receipts for invoices to Accounts Payable, leave a…
Provide mail and message services
+Sort incoming mail by department, scan and save courier receipts for invoices to Accounts Payable, leave a stamped delivered stack for Marketing, and call Nina with the urgent package that needs pickup before 4:30 p.m.
The tools that do the workMicrosoft OutlookMicrosoft WordWikipedia
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Handle service problem reports
+Log the service report with date, caller name and location, assign to Maintenance request queue, text the…
Handle service problem reports
+Log the service report with date, caller name and location, assign to Maintenance request queue, text the requester the ticket number, and escalate to Tom by phone if no update within four hours.
The tools that do the workAutomated information systemESCO
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Perform duties, such as taking care of plants or straightening magazines to maintain lobby or reception area.
+Tidy the reception lobby: water the ficus and succulents, straighten current magazines and brochures, wipe…
Perform duties, such as taking care of plants or straightening magazines to maintain lobby or reception area.
+Tidy the reception lobby: water the ficus and succulents, straighten current magazines and brochures, wipe the coffee table and guest sign-in area, then note any supplies low on stock and tell facilities by 4pm today.
The tools that do the workMicrosoft OutlookO*NET
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Calculate and quote rates for tours, stocks, insurance policies, or other products or services.
+Work up a clear quote for the city walking tour: calculate per-person price for groups of 1–5, 6–15 and 16+…
Calculate and quote rates for tours, stocks, insurance policies, or other products or services.
+Work up a clear quote for the city walking tour: calculate per-person price for groups of 1–5, 6–15 and 16+ including tax and guide fee, confirm availability for next Saturday, and give the caller the final quoted totals.
The tools that do the workMicrosoft ExcelMicrosoft OutlookO*NET
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Keep a current record of staff members' whereabouts and availability.
+Update the staff whereabouts board and online roster with current locations and expected return times, flag…
Keep a current record of staff members' whereabouts and availability.
+Update the staff whereabouts board and online roster with current locations and expected return times, flag anyone out over lunch or in meetings, and send the updated availability list to the front‑office team by noon.
The tools that do the workAppointment schedulingMicrosoft OutlookO*NET
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Enroll individuals to participate in programs and notify them of their acceptance.
+Register attendees for the spring workshop, record their contact details and session choices, send each…
Enroll individuals to participate in programs and notify them of their acceptance.
+Register attendees for the spring workshop, record their contact details and session choices, send each accepted applicant a confirmation with arrival instructions, and mark the class list full once 25 seats are taken.
The tools that do the workGoogle DocsMicrosoft OutlookO*NET
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Forward calls to appropriate personnel
+Answer incoming lines and, if the person requested is unavailable, transfer the caller to the correct…
Forward calls to appropriate personnel
+Answer incoming lines and, if the person requested is unavailable, transfer the caller to the correct extension or the on‑call staff member, leave a clear message with caller name, purpose and callback number, then log the call outcome.
The tools that do the workAutomated information systemjob descriptions
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Provide customer support
+Handle the support enquiry: listen to the customer issue, look up their account and recent payments, offer…
Provide customer support
+Handle the support enquiry: listen to the customer issue, look up their account and recent payments, offer the correct next steps or escalate to the service manager, then confirm the resolution and follow up within 24 hours.
The tools that do the workMicrosoft OutlookMicrosoft Exceljob descriptions
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Manage inventory and place orders
+Review supply levels at the front desk and storeroom, reorder toner, name badges, and pens to maintain a…
Manage inventory and place orders
+Review supply levels at the front desk and storeroom, reorder toner, name badges, and pens to maintain a two-week buffer, send the order to procurement and request delivery by Thursday, confirming prices and lead times first.
The tools that do the workMicrosoft ExcelMicrosoft Outlookjob descriptions
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Notify supervisors of visitor arrivals
+When a visitor signs in, text or email the relevant supervisor with visitor name, company, meeting room, and…
Notify supervisors of visitor arrivals
+When a visitor signs in, text or email the relevant supervisor with visitor name, company, meeting room, and ETA, note any access requirements, and escalate immediately if the supervisor does not respond within ten minutes.
The tools that do the workAppointment schedulingMicrosoft Outlookjob descriptions
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Assist with room reservations and assignments
+Confirm room availability for the requested date and time, assign a suitable meeting room, update the shared…
Assist with room reservations and assignments
+Confirm room availability for the requested date and time, assign a suitable meeting room, update the shared schedule with room, organizer, and setup needs, and send the organizer a confirmation and access instructions.
The tools that do the workAppointment schedulingMicrosoft OutlookWikipedia
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Conduct credit checks
+Run a credit check using the guest or vendor details on file, flag any payment or credit-limit risks, attach…
Conduct credit checks
+Run a credit check using the guest or vendor details on file, flag any payment or credit-limit risks, attach the results to the vendor record, and notify finance and the requesting manager before approving services.
The tools that do the workIntuit QuickBooksMicrosoft ExcelWikipedia
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Says who?
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Activities this job lives in
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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