Receptionist cost calculator
Reviewed by the VirtualAssist team · Updated 14 November 2026 · Editorial policy
From your call volume: what an in-house receptionist costs where you are, against a live virtual receptionist and an AI receptionist.
In-house: median receptionist pay where you are + 7.65% employer FICA. Live answering is often priced around $1–2 a minute; AI far less. Plans and minimums vary.
Receptionist pay by city
Median hourly pay for receptionists and information clerks, May 2025, and the monthly cost of a full-time hire with employer FICA.
| Area | Median hourly pay | Full-time monthly cost |
|---|---|---|
| United States (national) | $18.27 | $3,409 |
| New York metro area | $21.48 | $4,008 |
| Los Angeles metro area | $20.81 | $3,883 |
| Chicago metro area | $18.30 | $3,415 |
| Dallas–Fort Worth metro area | $17.82 | $3,325 |
| Houston metro area | $17.00 | $3,172 |
| Atlanta metro area | $18.04 | $3,366 |
| Seattle metro area | $22.03 | $4,111 |
| Denver metro area | $21.00 | $3,918 |
| Boston metro area | $21.12 | $3,941 |
| Phoenix metro area | $18.92 | $3,530 |
| Miami metro area | $18.06 | $3,370 |
| San Francisco Bay Area (SF–Oakland) | $23.77 | $4,435 |
| Austin metro area | $17.64 | $3,292 |
| Philadelphia metro area | $18.29 | $3,413 |
| San Diego metro area | $21.34 | $3,982 |
| Washington, DC metro area | $19.83 | $3,700 |
| California | $21.20 | $3,956 |
| Texas | $16.93 | $3,159 |
| Florida | $17.70 | $3,303 |
Choosing between in-house, live and AI
Call volume decides most of it. A few hundred short calls a month rarely fill a receptionist's day, so per-minute answering usually costs less. As volume climbs into thousands of minutes, live answering costs rise with it, while an in-house salary stays flat. AI receptionists suit high volumes of routine calls (bookings, hours, directions) and after-hours cover.
More detail: how much a virtual receptionist costs, AI receptionist and after-hours answering. Need a script for whoever answers? Try the call script builder.
Source: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, SOC 43-4171. Virtual and AI figures are typical planning ranges, not a quote.
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Questions
How much does an in-house receptionist cost?
The US median is $18.27 an hour (BLS, May 2025), about $3,400 a month full time with employer FICA, before benefits, leave and cover for breaks and absences.
How are virtual receptionists priced?
Live answering services usually charge per minute or per call, often in plans with a monthly minimum. AI receptionists cost much less per minute. The calculator uses typical planning ranges, not any one provider's prices.
When is an in-house receptionist worth it?
When there's front-desk work beyond the phone (greeting visitors, handling mail, office tasks) and call volume is high enough to keep someone busy all day.
Can I combine live and AI answering?
Yes. A common setup is AI for after-hours and overflow calls, with live receptionists or your team during the day.