Receptionists and Information Clerks salary in California
Receptionists and Information Clerks in California earn a median of $44,100 a year ($21.20 an hour), based on BLS data for 82,470 workers.
Pay ranges from $36,410 for the lowest-paid 10% to $58,800 for the top 10%. That is 16% higher than the national median of $38,010. California ranks 4th of 51 states for receptionists and information clerks pay, one of the best-paying states for this job. There are 4.5 receptionists and information clerks per 1,000 jobs here — the job is less common than nationally (location quotient 0.77). The average (mean) salary is $46,100, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for receptionists and information clerks in California
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $36,410 | $17.51 |
| 25th percentile | $39,050 | $18.77 |
| Median | $44,100 | $21.20 |
| 75th percentile | $48,690 | $23.41 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $58,800 | $28.27 |
| Average (mean) | $46,100 | $22.16 |
Half of receptionists and information clerks earn more than the median and half earn less. Percentiles show the spread: 10% earn less than the 10th percentile, and 10% earn more than the 90th.
Median paycheck, before taxes
| Pay period | Amount |
|---|---|
| Monthly | $3,675 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $1,837.50 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $1,696.15 |
| Weekly | $848.08 |
| Hourly | $21.20 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Receptionists and Information Clerks salary in cities in California
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont, CA | $49,450 | 8,510 |
| San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA | $47,130 | 3,990 |
| Napa, CA | $46,850 | 280 |
| Hanford-Corcoran, CA | $45,650 | 180 |
| Santa Rosa-Petaluma, CA | $45,550 | 1,160 |
| Vallejo, CA | $45,500 | 720 |
| Sacramento-Roseville-Folsom, CA | $45,140 | 4,570 |
| Santa Cruz-Watsonville, CA | $44,980 | 510 |
| San Luis Obispo-Paso Robles, CA | $44,890 | 690 |
| Modesto, CA | $44,610 | 890 |
| San Diego-Chula Vista-Carlsbad, CA | $44,390 | 6,690 |
| Santa Maria-Santa Barbara, CA | $44,270 | 1,020 |
| Oxnard-Thousand Oaks-Ventura, CA | $43,610 | 1,510 |
| Salinas, CA | $43,300 | 620 |
| Los Angeles-Long Beach-Anaheim, CA | $43,280 | 35,000 |
| Stockton-Lodi, CA | $42,710 | 920 |
| Yuba City, CA | $41,880 | 200 |
| Riverside-San Bernardino-Ontario, CA | $41,800 | 6,880 |
| El Centro, CA | $41,440 | 160 |
| Chico, CA | $40,070 | 370 |
| Bakersfield-Delano, CA | $39,690 | 1,180 |
| Redding, CA | $39,660 | 370 |
| Fresno, CA | $39,520 | 2,250 |
| Visalia, CA | $39,520 | 530 |
| Merced, CA | $38,890 | 290 |
Highest-paying states for receptionists and information clerks
| State | Median salary |
|---|---|
| District of Columbia | $49,060 |
| Alaska | $44,720 |
| Washington | $44,710 |
| California | $44,100 |
| Massachusetts | $43,870 |
| New York | $43,080 |
| Rhode Island | $42,620 |
| Maine | $42,440 |
| Colorado | $42,010 |
| New Jersey | $41,650 |
See Receptionists and Information Clerks pay in every state.
Related jobs in California
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Customer Service Representative | $49,560 | $23.83 |
| Eligibility Interviewers, Government Programs | $63,520 | $30.54 |
| Hotel, Motel, and Resort Desk Clerks | $39,360 | $18.92 |
| Interviewers, Except Eligibility and Loan | $56,880 | $27.34 |
| Information and Record Clerks, All Other | $58,680 | $28.21 |
| Loan Interviewers and Clerks | $57,300 | $27.55 |
| Court, Municipal, and License Clerks | $63,320 | $30.44 |
| Order Clerk | $47,290 | $22.74 |
| Human Resources Assistants, Except Payroll and Timekeeping | $57,590 | $27.69 |
| Library Assistants, Clerical | $47,860 | $23.01 |
| Reservation and Transportation Ticket Agents and Travel Clerks | $49,420 | $23.76 |
| File Clerk | $49,040 | $23.58 |
| Brokerage Clerk | $77,960 | $37.48 |
| New Accounts Clerk | $52,100 | $25.05 |
More: Office and Administrative Support Occupations · all salaries in California
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025 estimates, occupation code 43-4171. Wages include base pay, tips, commissions and shift pay, but not overtime, bonuses or benefits, and exclude the self-employed.
Frequently asked questions
How much does a receptionists and information clerks make in California?
The median salary for receptionists and information clerks in California is $44,100 a year, or $21.20 an hour. Pay ranges from $36,410 for the lowest-paid 10% to $58,800 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid receptionists and information clerks make in California?
The top 10% of receptionists and information clerks in California earn at least $58,800 a year. The top 25% earn $48,690 or more.
What is the starting pay for receptionists and information clerks in California?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $36,410 a year, and a quarter of receptionists and information clerks earn $39,050 or less.
How many receptionists and information clerks work in California?
About 82,470 receptionists and information clerks are employed in California, not counting the self-employed.