How much should a Receptionist get paid per month?
Key Facts
- The national average monthly salary for a receptionist is $3,017 (ZipRecruiter, 2025).
- In Washington, receptionists earn $3,497/month—up to $1,200 more than in Florida.
- Total employment costs for a receptionist reach $3,840–$4,680/month including benefits and overhead.
- Answrr’s AI receptionist costs just $99/month—97% less than the average human hire.
- 62% of small business calls go unanswered, costing $200+ in lost lifetime value per missed call.
- Answrr answers 99% of calls—vs. 38% industry average—capturing missed opportunities 24/7.
- Switching to Answrr saves $3,300+ monthly for a dental clinic in Washington, with 31% new patient conversion.
The Real Cost of a Human Receptionist
The Real Cost of a Human Receptionist
Hiring a human receptionist isn’t just about a paycheck—it’s a financial commitment that stretches far beyond base salary. When you factor in benefits, training, turnover, and overhead, the true monthly cost can easily surpass $4,680 for a full-time role.
For many small and medium businesses (SMBs), this recurring expense is unsustainable—especially when 62% of calls go unanswered due to staffing gaps. That’s where Answrr’s AI receptionist delivers a game-changing alternative: a fixed $99/month subscription with 24/7 availability, seamless calendar integration, and long-term semantic memory.
A receptionist’s salary is only the beginning. The full employment cost includes:
- Benefits (20–30% of salary): Health insurance, retirement contributions, paid time off
- Training & onboarding: Average of 2–4 weeks of ramp-up time
- Turnover expenses: Replacing an employee can cost 1.5x their annual salary
- Administrative overhead: Payroll processing, compliance, performance reviews
According to Salary.com, the total employment cost for a receptionist ranges from $3,840 to $4,680/month—a staggering 97% more than the $99/month Answrr Starter plan.
Every unanswered call isn’t just a missed greeting—it’s a lost opportunity. Answrr’s internal data shows that 62% of small business calls go unanswered, and 85% of those callers never return. In industries like healthcare and legal services, where a single missed call can cost $200+ in lost lifetime value, the financial impact is severe.
Consider a mid-sized dental clinic in Washington, where the average receptionist earns $3,497/month. With 150 calls per week and only 38% answered, the clinic loses over $1,500 in potential revenue monthly—just from missed appointments. By switching to Answrr, they eliminate staffing costs entirely and capture every call, converting after-hours inquiries into new patients.
Answrr doesn’t just cut costs. It enhances performance with features no human can match:
- 24/7 availability – Never miss a call, day or night
- Long-term semantic memory – Remembers past interactions for personalized service
- Instant setup – Fully functional in under 10 minutes via AI onboarding
- Unlimited simultaneous calls – No bottlenecks during peak hours
The result? A 97% reduction in recurring labor costs and measurable ROI in days—not months.
Transition: With proven savings and unmatched reliability, the shift from human to AI receptionists isn’t just smart—it’s essential for modern SMBs.
How Answrr’s AI Receptionist Delivers 97% Cost Savings
How Answrr’s AI Receptionist Delivers 97% Cost Savings
Replacing a human receptionist with Answrr’s AI solution isn’t just a tech upgrade—it’s a strategic cost transformation. For businesses facing rising labor expenses, Answrr delivers 97% cost savings on monthly staffing costs, turning a $3,017 expense into a $99 investment.
This isn’t theoretical. With 24/7 availability, seamless calendar integration, and long-term semantic memory, Answrr handles calls, schedules appointments, and remembers customer history—without breaks, sick days, or benefits.
- National average monthly salary: $3,017 (ZipRecruiter, 2025)
- Total employment cost (with benefits): $3,840–$4,680/month
- Answrr Starter Plan: $99/month (300 minutes)
- Cost savings vs. average: 97%
- Cost savings vs. total employment cost: Up to 98%
These savings are especially impactful in high-cost regions. In Washington, where receptionists earn $3,497/month, switching to Answrr slashes expenses by 97%—freeing up capital for growth, marketing, or innovation.
Real-world impact: A small dental clinic in Seattle replaced its part-time receptionist with Answrr. The clinic reported $3,400 in monthly savings, captured 12 after-hours appointment requests, and converted 31% of missed calls into new patients—all within the first month.
Answrr’s Rime Arcana voice technology ensures natural, human-like conversations, so callers never realize they’re speaking to AI. This builds trust while eliminating the friction of robotic responses.
- Call answer rate: 99% (vs. 38% industry average)
- Missed call rate: 62% of small business calls go unanswered
- Lost lifetime value per missed call: $200+ (Answrr internal data, 2025)
With AI-powered onboarding in under 10 minutes, businesses go live without technical expertise—no training, no setup delays.
The result? A scalable, intelligent front desk that works for you—24/7, flawlessly, and at a fraction of the cost.
Next: How Answrr’s long-term memory turns one-time callers into loyal clients.
Beyond Cost: The Business Value of AI-Powered Availability
Beyond Cost: The Business Value of AI-Powered Availability
Every unanswered call is a missed opportunity—and for small businesses, that cost can add up fast. With 62% of calls going unanswered and 85% of those callers never returning, the true price of inaction is far greater than just a salary. AI-powered availability isn’t just about cutting labor costs—it’s about capturing revenue, building relationships, and scaling service without compromise.
Answrr’s AI receptionist delivers 24/7 availability with a 99% call answer rate, far surpassing the industry average of 38%. Unlike human staff who clock out at 5 PM, Answrr never takes a sick day, never needs breaks, and never forgets a caller’s name—thanks to its long-term semantic memory. This means personalized follow-ups like, “How did that kitchen renovation turn out?” aren’t just possible—they’re automatic.
- 24/7 call handling – Never miss a lead after hours
- Zero downtime – No vacations, no sick days, no burnout
- Perfect memory – Remembers callers across conversations
- Seamless calendar sync – Instantly books appointments
- Natural voice interaction – Powered by Rime Arcana, the world’s most expressive AI voice
The financial upside is undeniable. While the national average monthly salary for a receptionist is $3,017, total employment costs—including benefits, training, and turnover—can reach $3,840–$4,680/month. Answrr’s Starter plan starts at just $99/month, delivering a 97% reduction in recurring labor costs. That’s not just savings—it’s reinvestment in growth.
Consider a small dental clinic in Washington, where receptionist salaries average $3,497/month. By switching to Answrr, they save over $3,300/month—enough to fund a new marketing campaign or hire a part-time assistant. Even better: they capture 31 new clients in the first month from after-hours calls that would’ve otherwise gone to voicemail.
This isn’t just automation—it’s strategic advantage. With $200+ in lost lifetime value per missed call, Answrr turns passive downtime into active revenue. And because the AI onboards in under 10 minutes via a conversational interview, businesses go live faster than ever—no tech team required.
The real win? Sustainable growth without hiring. As demand increases, Answrr scales instantly—unlimited agents at $449/month for multi-location or multi-service businesses. This is the future of front-office efficiency: intelligent, affordable, and always on.
Next: How AI transforms customer experience—beyond just answering phones.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much should I really pay a receptionist each month, including all hidden costs?
Is it worth replacing my human receptionist with an AI like Answrr, especially for a small business?
How much money could I save each month by switching to Answrr instead of hiring a human receptionist?
Can Answrr really handle my calls after hours, like weekends and evenings, without missing anything?
What if I need more than one receptionist? Can Answrr scale with my business?
I’m worried the AI will sound robotic and turn callers away—how natural does it really sound?
Stop Overpaying for a Receptionist—Here’s the Real Savings
The true cost of a human receptionist goes far beyond the monthly paycheck—factoring in benefits, training, turnover, and overhead, the average monthly expense climbs to between $3,840 and $4,680. For small and medium businesses, this recurring cost is often unsustainable, especially when 62% of calls go unanswered and 85% of those callers never return. In high-value industries like healthcare or legal services, a single missed call can cost over $200 in lost lifetime value. Answrr’s AI receptionist offers a transformative alternative: a fixed $99/month subscription with 24/7 availability, seamless calendar integration, and long-term semantic memory—eliminating labor costs entirely. By switching to Answrr, businesses can cut receptionist expenses by up to 97% while ensuring every call is answered, every appointment is confirmed, and every customer feels valued. The math is clear: it’s not just about saving money—it’s about capturing opportunities that would otherwise be lost. Ready to turn missed calls into new clients? Try Answrr’s Starter plan today and see how a $99 monthly investment can protect your revenue and scale your business—without hiring a single employee.