NOC Version: NOC 2021 Version 1.0
Position Summary for Receptionist NOC Code (NOC 14101)
Receptionist NOC code refers to a core administrative occupation within Canada’s business, healthcare, and public service sectors. Classified under NOC 14101 – Receptionists, this role encompasses office-based work that places individuals at the centre of daily operations, where they serve as the first point of contact for organizations. Receptionists support a wide range of occupations by managing in-person and telephone interactions, ensuring that business people, clients, patients, and visitors are received efficiently and directed appropriately.
In addition to greeting visitors and answering calls, receptionists carry out essential duties such as scheduling appointments, maintaining front-desk order, and supporting communication flow within the office. In medical and clinical environments, their work helps coordinate patient access and information flow, while in corporate and public offices, they facilitate smooth administrative processes. Their role requires attention to detail, professionalism, and the ability to manage multiple tasks in fast-paced settings.
Defined through government-supplied standards under the National Occupational Classification (NOC) 2021 Version 1.0, receptionist NOC code 14101 provides a nationally recognized framework that supports workforce planning, employer compliance, labour market analysis, and immigration assessment. This standardized classification also assists job seekers conducting an occupational search by clearly outlining the scope of work, expectations, and positioning of receptionists within Canada’s broader administrative and office occupations.
Job Titles Specific to NOC 14101 in Canada
Common job titles associated with this NOC include:
- Receptionist
- Business Receptionist
- Office Reception Clerk
- Medical Receptionist
- Dental Receptionist
- Hospital Admitting Clerk
- Appointment Clerk
- Telephone Operator
- Switchboard Operator
- Answering Service Operator
- Telereceptionist
- Telephone Service Assistant
- Toll Operator
Job titles may vary by workplace and industry; however, all roles fall within the same occupational classification under NOC 14101.
Main Responsibilities of Receptionists (NOC 14101)
Receptionists perform some or all of the following activities, depending on the work environment:
Core Responsibilities
- Greeting individuals arriving at offices, hospitals, and other establishments and directing them to appropriate contacts or services
- Providing general information in person and by telephone
- Answering, screening, forwarding, and recording telephone calls and messages
- Scheduling and managing appointments using manual or computerized systems
- Recording bookings and maintaining appointment records
- Receiving payments, processing credit card transactions, issuing receipts, and recording billing information (where applicable)
- Maintaining front-desk order, visitor logs, and access control lists
Specialized Contexts
Hospital admitting clerks may:
- Interview patients to obtain and process information required for medical services
- Schedule appointments and direct patients to appropriate departments
Switchboard, answering service, and telephone operators may:
- Operate telephone systems or switchboards
- Relay messages and provide call-related information
- Arrange teleconferences or provide relay services for persons with disabilities
These responsibilities require professionalism, attention to detail, communication skills, and the ability to manage multiple tasks simultaneously.
Employment Requirements for NOC 14101
Education
Completion of secondary school is usually required
Training
On-the-job training may be provided depending on the workplace
Skills and Attributes
- Strong verbal communication and interpersonal skills
- Organizational ability and attention to detail
- Comfort using office equipment and computerized scheduling systems
- Professional demeanor and confidentiality awareness
Work Settings for Receptionists
Professionals under receptionist NOC code 14101 are commonly employed in:
- Hospitals and healthcare facilities
- Medical and dental offices
- Government offices and public institutions
- Corporate offices and private businesses
- Educational institutions
- Call centres and answering service providers
Work environments may range from traditional front-desk settings to centralized telephone or remote reception operations.
Government Resources and Occupational Information
Workers and employers associated with receptionist NOC code 14101 rely on official federal resources to understand occupational scope, employment expectations, and classification standards.
The National Occupational Classification (NOC) 2021 Version 1.0 establishes standardized definitions, role descriptions, and inclusion criteria for receptionists across Canada.
Statistics Canada’s Trust Centre outlines how labour force and occupational data are collected, protected, and used, ensuring transparency, privacy protection, and reliability in workforce analysis.
These government-supplied resources are essential for employers, job seekers, and newcomers navigating employment and immigration systems.
Career Progression and Additional Information
Some mobility exists within this occupational group, allowing receptionists to move between different office and administrative environments. While the NOC does not define a formal career ladder, progression may occur with experience, employer-provided training, and demonstrated administrative competence.
With accumulated experience, some receptionists may advance into supervisory or senior administrative support roles. Such progression is employer-driven rather than government-prescribed and depends on organizational structure, workplace needs, and individual performance.
Additional information provided by NOC 2021 indicates that some receptionists may be required to be bilingual or multilingual, particularly in client-facing or public-service environments.
Median Hourly Wages by Province
The table below summarizes median wage estimates for receptionists across Canada. These figures are based on the most recent available labour market data and government-aligned wage reporting (2024–2025). Where provincial medians are not formally published, estimates are informed by regional data and comparable administrative occupations.
| Province / Territory | Median Hourly Wage ($/hour) |
|---|---|
| Canada (National) | $22.00 |
| Alberta | $23.50 |
| British Columbia | $25.00 |
| Manitoba | $20.00 |
| New Brunswick | $19.00 |
| Newfoundland and Labrador | $20.00 |
| Nova Scotia | $20.50 |
| Ontario | $23.00 |
| Prince Edward Island | $19.50 |
| Quebec | $22.00 |
| Saskatchewan | $21.50 |
| Northwest Territories | Estimated $27.00 |
| Yukon | Estimated $24.00 |
| Nunavut | No separate median published |
Notes:
- Estimated figures are informed by regional labour data and comparable occupations
- Wages may vary based on experience, workplace, sector, and location
Why Receptionist NOC Code Matters
Within Canada’s administrative and service economy, receptionists play a critical role in ensuring organizations function smoothly and efficiently. Clearly defined under NOC 14101, this occupation supports workforce planning, employer compliance, and immigration assessment by offering a standardized, government-recognized classification that reflects the scope of front-line administrative work across a wide range of services.
Through their daily work, receptionists manage communication flow, coordinate visitor access, and carry out essential duties that support people accessing offices, healthcare facilities, and public institutions. Their role connects internal teams with external contacts, helping maintain professionalism, accessibility, and operational continuity in both public and private environments. By balancing administrative responsibilities with direct service interaction, receptionists contribute to the overall effectiveness and reliability of organizational operations.
For individuals conducting a career search, exploring related occupations, or seeking to understand how administrative roles are structured within Canada’s labour system, our Find Your NOC section offers a comprehensive resource. It helps people navigate occupational groupings, compare roles, and identify NOC codes that align with their skills, experience, and long-term career goals within Canada’s administrative and service sectors.
