How Much Does a Receptionist Cost for a Small Business?

Hiring a receptionist is the traditional way to make sure calls get answered, but the true cost is more than an hourly wage. Before you post a job, it helps to understand the full picture and weigh it against alternatives.

The full cost of a receptionist

Beyond base pay, employing a receptionist typically includes payroll taxes, benefits, paid time off, equipment, and the time it takes to recruit and train. There’s also coverage risk: a single receptionist only works during business hours, so nights, weekends, lunch breaks, and sick days go uncovered unless you pay for more staff.

What you’re really paying for

• Base wages for the hours worked
• Payroll taxes and benefits
• Paid time off, sick days, and turnover/re-hiring costs
• Onboarding and ongoing training
• Gaps in coverage outside business hours

Lower-cost alternatives

A live virtual receptionist service reduces overhead but usually bills per minute. An AI receptionist goes further: it answers every call 24/7, books appointments, and captures leads for a flat monthly price — often a small fraction of a full-time salary — with no benefits, turnover, or coverage gaps. Many small businesses use an AI receptionist as their always-on front desk and only bring in human help for exceptions.

The right answer depends on your call volume and how much of your work requires a human in the room. But if your main goal is to stop missing calls and book more appointments, it’s worth pricing an AI receptionist before committing to a hire.