Receptionist jobs across the United States involve welcoming visitors, answering calls, scheduling appointments and supporting office operations. Most applicants need a high school diploma or equivalent, clear communication and basic computer skills. National median pay was $18.27 an hour in May 2025, although location and duties affect offers. US residents can apply through employer careers pages and administrative staffing agencies. Visa sponsorship is not established by a receptionist vacancy and must be verified separately.
Search several titles because employers divide front-office duties differently.
Role
Typical responsibilities
Office receptionist
Welcome visitors, route calls and handle correspondence
Medical receptionist
Schedule appointments and support patient administration
Dental receptionist
Coordinate bookings and practice communications
Legal receptionist
Manage visitors, calls and confidential documents
Front-desk coordinator
Combine reception with wider office support
Hotel front-desk agent
Handle arrivals, departures and guest requests
Hotel front-desk work is related to office reception but is not the same occupation for every wage comparison. Hospitality roles may involve late shifts, weekends, payment handling and extended standing.
For medical jobs, read the duties carefully. Patient registration, insurance verification and clinical support can require different experience. A receptionist title does not authorize clinical work.
These figures describe an occupation across the country, not a guaranteed starting salary or a local pay range.
Actual listings can differ substantially. The examples below include part-time contract reception at $20 to $22 an hour and a permanent legal-office position at $50,000 to $55,000 annually.
Compare base pay, scheduled hours, benefits, parking and commuting costs. At $20 an hour for 25 paid hours, gross weekly income is $500 before deductions. A higher hourly rate may not compensate for very limited hours.
Verified receptionist and front-desk opportunities
Robert Half: part-time receptionist, Durham, North Carolina
Work: Reception coverage for a nonprofit organization.
Experience: Previous reception or administrative support, multi-line phones and organizational skills.
Reference: 03260-0013526622.
The posting states that applicants for US openings must be legally authorized to work. It does not establish visa sponsorship. Ask the recruiter about weekly hours, contract duration and the exact worksite, which was not publicly identified in the reviewed description.
Robert Half: legal-office receptionist, Philadelphia
A Philadelphia receptionist listing advertises $50,000 to $55,000 annually for an onsite, permanent full-time position supporting a boutique legal practice.
The posting asks for at least one year of receptionist, administrative assistant or office-support experience. Duties include greeting clients, routing calls, handling documents and supporting attorney time entry.
The client employer is not named in the reviewed description. Apply through Robert Half using reference 03720-0013497500. Existing work authorization is required; sponsorship was not verified.
Related experience: None listed under preferred qualifications.
Location: Bethesda North Marriott Hotel & Conference Center, Maryland.
This is a hospitality position involving guest requests and operational tasks, with physical requirements described in the posting. Contact recruitment through the official application link. No sponsorship commitment was verified.
Availability note: These pages were reviewed on the research date. A visible listing does not guarantee that recruitment remains open when you apply.
Where to find receptionist jobs near you
Start with a city or ZIP code and search “receptionist,” “front-desk coordinator,” “medical receptionist” and “office assistant.”
Randstad USA for administrative staffing searches.
Official careers pages for nearby hospitals, dental practices, universities and professional offices.
Filter by onsite, hybrid, part-time and permanent status. Traditional reception usually includes physical visitor coverage. A “remote receptionist” role may instead involve answering services, call routing or virtual scheduling.
Check eligible states, fixed hours, equipment and privacy requirements for any remote position.
Employment agencies: contacts and addresses
Robert Half
Office contact line: 855-432-0924.
Corporate headquarters: 2884 Sand Hill Road, Suite 200, Menlo Park, CA 94025.
Search administrative jobs by location, then confirm duties, pay and employment arrangements with the responsible recruiter.
These agencies operate recruitment businesses, but their international presence does not prove that a US receptionist assignment supports international sponsorship.
Qualifications and application documents
Many receptionist roles accept a high school diploma or equivalent, but employers may prefer relevant industry experience.
Useful skills include:
Clear phone communication and accurate message taking.
Microsoft Outlook, Word and basic spreadsheet use.
Calendar management and appointment scheduling.
Professional handling of complaints.
Confidentiality and accurate data entry.
Avoid paying for a generic receptionist certificate unless an employer requires it or the training closes a specific skill gap.
Prepare a short resume, accurate employment dates and references when requested. Show evidence, such as managing a busy appointment calendar, rather than unsupported claims about being an expert.
For interviews, prepare examples of handling an upset visitor, competing priorities and confidential information.
After hiring, employers use Form I-9 to verify identity and employment authorization. Employees choose acceptable documents from the official lists. Employers cannot require a particular document when another acceptable selection is provided. See USCIS employee guidance.
Can receptionist jobs offer visa sponsorship?
US citizens and permanent residents generally do not need employer-sponsored work visas. Other residents must confirm whether their status or Employment Authorization Document permits the proposed work.
None of the vacancies above was verified as offering visa sponsorship.
Route
Receptionist-job relevance
Existing employment authorization
May permit work, subject to restrictions
H-1B
Generally unsuitable for ordinary receptionist duties
H-2B
Possible only for a qualifying temporary employer need
EB-3 Other Workers
Potential route for a qualifying permanent, full-time job
H-1B requires a qualifying specialty occupation. A degree held by the applicant does not make an ordinary receptionist vacancy eligible.
H-2B requirements include a qualifying temporary need and at least 35 hours of work weekly. A seasonal hotel vacancy is not automatically an H-2B opportunity.
The employment-based immigration guide explains EB-3 categories, including Other Workers for qualifying jobs requiring less than two years of training or experience. The usual labor-certification route requires permanent, full-time employment. A permanent vacancy alone does not establish sponsorship.
Steps to seek sponsorship and permanent residence
Confirm your current immigration status and employment restrictions.
Find a specific employer willing to sponsor a qualifying position.
Obtain written duties, pay, worksite and sponsorship terms.
Allow the employer to complete required labor certification and petition filings.
Follow the appropriate personal application process, which may involve USCIS or consular processing.
Check the Visa Bulletin for employment-based visa availability. An employer petition does not itself grant immediate work authorization or permanent residence.
Permanent residence permits long-term residence and lawful employment, subject to maintaining status. It does not guarantee housing, relocation payments or automatic public benefits. Employer insurance and retirement benefits have separate eligibility rules.
Express Entry and the Rural Community Immigration Pilot are Canadian programs. They do not provide US work authorization or a US green card.
Embassy applications, documents and verification
Authorized US residents applying for local receptionist jobs generally do not need an embassy appointment.
For petition-based temporary work visas abroad, follow the State Department process. Typical documents include a valid passport, DS-160 confirmation, photograph, applicable fee receipt and petition receipt number.
Employment-based immigrant visas follow a different process, generally involving National Visa Center instructions and DS-260. Additional civil documents and a medical examination may be required.
Find the responsible embassy’s official address and visa contact channel through the US embassy directory. Petition approval does not guarantee visa issuance.
For temporary foreign recruitment, SeasonalJobs.dol.gov provides searchable job orders. Check the employer, case details, dates, duties and application instructions. A listing is not a personal visa approval.
Mistakes to avoid
Treating “permanent job” as proof of green card sponsorship.
Claiming unrestricted authorization when your permission has conditions.
Sending identity or bank details to an unverified recruiter.
Paying someone to guarantee employment or visa approval.
Confusing a hotel brand with the legal employing company.
Accepting a role without confirming pay and hours.
The FTC job scam guidance explains fake offers and equipment-check scams. Verify messages through independently located official contact details.
If your status is restricted or uncertain, consult a licensed immigration lawyer or authorized accredited representative before changing employment.
Conclusion
The best receptionist job matches your communication skills, availability and required income. Compare official vacancies, confirm the worksite and review the written pay and benefit terms. US residents who already have suitable work authorization can focus on local applications. Applicants needing sponsorship should verify a qualifying immigration route separately from the vacancy.
