Cost of hiring a virtual receptionist in Houston-Pasadena, TX
For this job Houston-Pasadena sits right at the Texas figure, with a median of $35,350 a year[1]. That is about level with the Texas statewide median of $35,210, and 7.0% below the US median of $38,010. Among US areas it comes in at #319 of 521. About 17,140 virtual receptionists work here, 22% of the Texas total.
BLS occupation 43-4171, area Houston-Pasadena-The Woodlands, TX. Data from the May 2025 release, checked 2026-10-15.
Pay in Houston-Pasadena against Texas and the US
| Range | 10th | Median | 90th | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Houston-Pasadena, TX | $24,370 | $35,350 | $47,720 | |
| Texas | $24,700 | $35,210 | $47,380 | |
| United States | $28,760 | $38,010 | $49,950 |
Pay is more spread out here than nationally: the top tenth earns $47,720 or more, 2.0 times the bottom tenth, against 1.7 times across the US. Two offers for the same title can sit far apart. The middle half of virtual receptionists in Houston-Pasadena earns $29,730–$40,790.
What to budget for a virtual receptionist here
| Point in the local range | Per year | Per month | Per hour | Employer cost per year |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile | $24,370 | $2,031 | $11.72 | $34,814 |
| 25th percentile | $29,730 | $2,478 | $14.29 | $42,471 |
| Median | $35,350 | $2,946 | $17.00 | $50,500 |
| 75th percentile | $40,790 | $3,399 | $19.61 | $58,271 |
| 90th percentile | $47,720 | $3,977 | $22.94 | $68,171 |
The step from the 25th percentile to the median is $5,620 a year; from the median to the 75th it is $5,440, or about $7,771 once benefits are added. These percentiles describe what people in the job earn locally, not experience levels, so place your offer by the tasks and seniority you need.
What a hire really costs in Houston-Pasadena
At the $35,350 median, a local hire costs about $50,500 a year: benefits and payroll taxes are 30.0% of total compensation in US private industry[2], about $15,150 here. Recruiting, equipment and office space come on top. Benefit levels vary by employer, so treat this as an estimate.
We place executive assistants, customer support and e-commerce staff today; for virtual receptionists we answer within one business day whether we can help. Enter the monthly pay you have in mind to compare it with a local hire. The fee field shows our standard fee[3]; Deel's contractor plan is the default payroll tool[4].
Other roles in Houston-Pasadena
Virtual receptionists have the lowest median of the 17 roles we track in Houston-Pasadena; project coordinators have the highest, at $99,510.
| Role | Median | vs virtual receptionist | Jobs |
|---|---|---|---|
| Project Coordinator | +181.5% | 35,550 | |
| Accountant | +140.7% | 28,400 | |
| Executive Assistant | +111.7% | 7,390 | |
| Recruiter | +105.2% | 18,320 | |
| Marketing Specialist | +90.6% | 14,480 | |
| Office Manager | +86.7% | 36,940 | |
| Sales Development Representative | +78.5% | 28,720 | |
| Paralegal | +77.5% | 7,320 | |
| Payroll Specialist | +53.0% | 3,260 | |
| Bookkeeper | +39.9% | 26,090 | |
| HR Assistant | +38.3% | 1,140 | |
| Administrative Assistant | +32.2% | 33,710 | |
| E-commerce Order Specialist | +29.1% | 1,270 | |
| Medical Administrative Assistant | +25.1% | 20,220 | |
| Customer Support Specialist | +14.2% | 65,510 | |
| Data Entry Specialist | +11.8% | 4,430 | |
| Virtual Receptionist | this role | 17,140 |
Other areas in Texas
Across the 32 areas of Texas with data for this job, the median runs from $28,530 in McAllen-Edinburg to $37,280 in Midland, a gap of $8,750 a year.
| Area | Median | vs Houston-Pasadena | Jobs |
|---|---|---|---|
| Austin-Round Rock, TX | +3.8% | 7,480 | |
| San Antonio-New Braunfels, TX | +3.4% | 7,950 | |
| Odessa, TX | +2.4% | 380 | |
| Houston-Pasadena, TX | this area | 17,140 | |
| Killeen-Temple, TX | -2.4% | 890 | |
| Sherman-Denison, TX | -3.1% | 320 | |
| Amarillo, TX | -4.1% | 900 |
Questions
How much does it cost to hire a virtual receptionist in Houston-Pasadena, TX?
About $50,500 a year at the median, or $4,208 a month: $35,350 in pay plus benefits and payroll taxes at the 30% share of total compensation in US private industry (June 2026). Recruiting, equipment and office space are extra.
What is the pay range for virtual receptionists in Houston-Pasadena?
The median was $35,350 a year in the May 2025 BLS survey. The 10th percentile was $24,370, the 90th $47,720, and the middle half earned $29,730 to $40,790.
Is Houston-Pasadena cheaper than the rest of Texas for virtual receptionists?
About the same: a median of $35,350 against $35,210 statewide. Midland pays the most ($37,280) and McAllen-Edinburg the least ($28,530).
How many virtual receptionists work in Houston-Pasadena?
BLS counts about 17,140 in the May 2025 survey. That is 22% of the Texas total of 78,330.
Does a virtual receptionist cost more than a data entry specialist in Houston-Pasadena?
No: $4,170 a year less at the median. The medians are $35,350 and $39,520.
Sources
- BLS OEWS May 2025, 43-4171: https://www.bls.gov/oes/current/oes434171.htm
- BLS Employer Costs for Employee Compensation, private industry, June 2026: https://www.bls.gov/news.release/ecec.nr0.htm
- Silkstaff pricing: https://silkstaff.com/#pricing
- Deel pricing, contractor management: https://www.deel.com/pricing/
How these pages are built: methodology and data sources. Last updated 2026-11-06.