Cost of hiring a virtual receptionist in Phoenix-Mesa, AZ
Budget above the national rate here. The median virtual receptionist in Phoenix-Mesa earned $39,340 a year in May 2025[1], 1.6% above the Arizona statewide median of $38,730 and 3.5% above the US median of $38,010. That is in the top quarter of US areas (#102 of 521). It is the largest market for the job in Arizona: about 16,850 people, 73% of the Arizona total.
BLS occupation 43-4171, area Phoenix-Mesa-Chandler, AZ. Data from the May 2025 release, checked 2026-10-15.
Pay in Phoenix-Mesa against Arizona and the US
| Range | 10th | Median | 90th | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Phoenix-Mesa, AZ | $33,670 | $39,340 | $48,750 | |
| Arizona | $32,130 | $38,730 | $47,930 | |
| United States | $28,760 | $38,010 | $49,950 |
The middle half of virtual receptionists in Phoenix-Mesa earns $35,880–$45,590. Pay is tightly grouped: the top tenth starts at $48,750, only 1.4 times the bottom tenth, against 1.7 times across the US, so the going rate is easier to read.
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 | $33,670 | $2,806 | $16.19 | $48,100 |
| 25th percentile | $35,880 | $2,990 | $17.25 | $51,257 |
| Median | $39,340 | $3,278 | $18.91 | $56,200 |
| 75th percentile | $45,590 | $3,799 | $21.92 | $65,129 |
| 90th percentile | $48,750 | $4,062 | $23.44 | $69,643 |
An offer at the 75th percentile instead of the median adds $6,250 a year in pay and about $8,929 in employer cost. Going down to the 25th percentile saves $3,460 in pay. 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 Phoenix-Mesa
At the $39,340 median, a local hire costs about $56,200 a year: benefits and payroll taxes are 30.0% of total compensation in US private industry[2], about $16,860 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 Phoenix-Mesa
Virtual receptionists have the lowest median of the 17 roles we track in Phoenix-Mesa; project coordinators have the highest, at $100,780.
| Role | Median | vs virtual receptionist | Jobs |
|---|---|---|---|
| Project Coordinator | +156.2% | 17,790 | |
| Accountant | +105.4% | 21,360 | |
| Sales Development Representative | +90.4% | 19,810 | |
| Recruiter | +89.7% | 15,430 | |
| Marketing Specialist | +89.6% | 12,220 | |
| Executive Assistant | +88.1% | 5,000 | |
| Office Manager | +66.4% | 23,940 | |
| Paralegal | +59.2% | 6,280 | |
| Bookkeeper | +32.1% | 16,280 | |
| Payroll Specialist | +28.0% | 2,650 | |
| HR Assistant | +27.5% | 1,080 | |
| E-commerce Order Specialist | +24.4% | 620 | |
| Administrative Assistant | +24.0% | 22,010 | |
| Medical Administrative Assistant | +18.5% | 13,570 | |
| Customer Support Specialist | +18.0% | 68,930 | |
| Data Entry Specialist | +12.3% | 2,650 | |
| Virtual Receptionist | this role | 16,850 |
Other areas in Arizona
Across the 8 areas of Arizona with data for this job, the median runs from $35,990 in Yuma to $39,830 in Flagstaff, a gap of $3,840 a year.
| Area | Median | vs Phoenix-Mesa | Jobs |
|---|---|---|---|
| Flagstaff, AZ | +1.2% | 670 | |
| Phoenix-Mesa, AZ | this area | 16,850 | |
| Prescott Valley-Prescott, AZ | -4.0% | 770 | |
| Arizona (Nonmetro) | -4.8% | 610 | |
| Tucson, AZ | -5.8% | 2,730 | |
| Lake Havasu City-Kingman, AZ | -7.5% | 530 | |
| Sierra Vista-Douglas, AZ | -8.5% | 220 |
Questions
How much does it cost to hire a virtual receptionist in Phoenix-Mesa, AZ?
About $56,200 a year at the median, or $4,683 a month: $39,340 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 do virtual receptionists earn in Phoenix-Mesa?
The median was $39,340 a year in the May 2025 BLS survey. The 10th percentile was $33,670, the 90th $48,750, and the middle half earned $35,880 to $45,590.
Is Phoenix-Mesa cheaper than the rest of Arizona for virtual receptionists?
No, it costs more: a median of $39,340 against $38,730 statewide. Flagstaff pays the most ($39,830) and Yuma the least ($35,990).
How many virtual receptionists work in Phoenix-Mesa?
BLS counts about 16,850 in the May 2025 survey. That is 73% of the Arizona total of 23,220.
Does a virtual receptionist cost more than a data entry specialist in Phoenix-Mesa?
No: $4,820 a year less at the median. The medians are $39,340 and $44,160.
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.