AI phone assistants, chat widgets and self check-in kiosks all do parts of a receptionist's job, so the question comes up often, including for medical front desks. The ILO data shows receptionist work is quite exposed, and the US outlook is a small decline with a very large number of openings.
The short answer: AI and automation are taking over parts of reception work, but the job is not disappearing. The ILO's 2025 index places general receptionists in its third exposure gradient, with a mean score of 0.57. The US Bureau of Labor Statistics projects a 2 percent decline from 2025 to 2035, linked to organizations automating or consolidating administrative work, yet still about 105,100 openings a year. In-person service stays human. Projections can change.
How exposed receptionists are
From the ILO's 2025 index, which scores tasks 0 to 1 for generative AI exposure:
| Occupation (ISCO-08) | ILO band | Mean task score |
|---|---|---|
| Contact Centre Information Clerks | Gradient 3 | 0.58 |
| Receptionists (general) | Gradient 3 | 0.57 |
Scheduling, answering routine questions and handling messages are the most exposed tasks. Greeting and helping people in person is not.
What the BLS projects
| Occupation | Projected change 2025 to 2035 | Openings a year |
|---|---|---|
| Receptionists | Decline 2% | About 105,100 |
The BLS says employment is expected to be constrained as organizations continue to automate or consolidate administrative functions, using software, websites, mobile apps or other technology to interact with the public. All projected openings come from replacing workers who change occupations or retire. Healthcare and social assistance employs about 42 percent of receptionists.
Front desk tasks AI is taking on
- Answering common phone and chat questions.
- Booking, confirming and rescheduling appointments.
- Taking messages and routing calls.
- Digital check-in and forms.
- Reminders and follow-ups.
What stays with the receptionist
- In-person welcome: the first face of a clinic, office or salon.
- Exceptions: the caller who does not fit the script, the upset patient, the urgent case.
- Privacy: handling personal information carefully, especially in healthcare. See AI agents and personal data.
- Checking the system: catching wrong bookings or messages an AI tool got wrong.
- Coordination: keeping staff, rooms and schedules working together.
How the job is changing
Routine calls and bookings are moving to software, leaving receptionists with more of the in-person, exception and coordination work. Receptionists who can run and check these systems, and move into office coordination or medical administration, have the most options. For phone and chat service roles, see will AI replace customer service?
See also will AI replace medical billing and coding? and will AI take my job?
Pay and how to get in
The US Bureau of Labor Statistics puts the median annual pay for receptionists at $38,010 in May 2025, against $50,980 for all workers. The typical education needed to enter is: high school diploma or equivalent. See how this job compares in AI exposure by pay and AI exposure by education level.
Questions and answers
Will AI replace receptionists?
Not entirely on current evidence. Receptionists are in ILO gradient 3, and the BLS projects a 2 percent decline from 2025 to 2035 with about 105,100 openings a year.
Will AI replace medical receptionists?
Healthcare employs about 42 percent of receptionists. Booking and reminders are being automated, while in-person help and privacy-sensitive work stay with people.
How exposed are receptionists to AI?
In the ILO 2025 index, general receptionists score 0.57, in gradient 3.
Why is receptionist employment projected to decline?
The BLS says organizations continue to automate or consolidate administrative functions, using software, websites and apps to interact with the public.
What front desk work stays human?
In-person welcome, handling exceptions, protecting personal information, checking automated systems and coordinating staff and schedules.