What is the Difference Between Secretary and Receptionist?
🆚 Go to Comparative Table 🆚The main difference between a secretary and a receptionist lies in their primary duties and responsibilities within an organization. Here are the key differences between the two roles:
Secretary:
- A secretary's main duty is to the business, ensuring that files are organized, appointments are scheduled, and assisting others in their tasks.
- Secretaries provide administrative support to executives or high-ranking officials, managing correspondence, scheduling meetings, arranging travel, and maintaining records.
- They may also assist with drafting documents, preparing reports, and conducting research.
- Secretaries typically work for lawyers, executives, schools, hospitals, and in government buildings.
Receptionist:
- A receptionist's main duty is to the client, ensuring that each person who walks in the door feels important.
- Receptionists serve as the initial point of contact for visitors and callers, greeting guests and answering phone calls.
- They need excellent customer service skills via phone and in person, speaking clearly and moving quickly to connect callers to the right phone extension.
- Receptionists are more often found in the lobby of doctor's and dentist's offices, places where people go to receive a service from someone.
In smaller companies or businesses, secretaries may also perform receptionist duties. However, the main distinction between the two roles is that secretaries generally function behind the scenes to maintain internal structure, while receptionists are the front line of a company, providing the first impression to visitors and callers.
Comparative Table: Secretary vs Receptionist
The main differences between a secretary and a receptionist are their duties, responsibilities, and the level of administrative support they provide. Here is a table comparing the two roles:
| Feature | Secretary | Receptionist |
|---|---|---|
| Duties | Provides administrative support to executives or high-ranking officials, manages correspondence, schedules meetings, arranges travel, maintains records, assists with drafting documents, prepares reports, and conducts research. | Serves as the initial point of contact for visitors and callers, greets guests, answers phone calls, and directs inquiries to the appropriate individuals or departments. |
| Responsibilities | Handles tasks of their boss, manages schedules and correspondence. | Answers calls and addresses people who walk into the office. |
| Skills | Impeccable computer skills, industry-specific expertise, and knowledge of office technologies and software. | Basic knowledge of how to use computers, handling phone systems, managing appointments using digital tools, and navigating basic office software. |
| Salary Range | Averages between $23,160 and $36,020 annually. | Averages between $9.69 and $14.44 per hour. |
While both roles may involve answering phone calls and greeting visitors, secretaries typically provide more administrative support to executives or high-ranking officials, whereas receptionists serve as the initial point of contact for visitors and callers.
- Treasurer vs Financial Secretary
- Writer vs Stenographer
- Executive Assistant vs Personal Assistant
- Front Office vs Back Office
- Clerical vs Administrative
- Room Attendant vs Housekeeper
- Banquet vs Reception Seating
- Manager vs Administrator
- Director vs Executive Director
- Janitor vs Custodian
- Reverend vs Minister
- Executive vs Manager
- Wedding Planner vs Wedding Coordinator
- President vs Vice President
- Service vs Hospitality
- Chairman vs Chairperson
- Administration vs Management
- Supervisor vs Manager
- Conference vs Meeting