Job prospects Office Receptionist in Nova Scotia

Explore current and future job prospects for people working as an "office receptionist" in Nova Scotia or across Canada.

Job opportunities in Nova Scotia

These outlooks were updated on December 11, 2024.

Prospects over the next 3 years

The employment outlook will be moderate for Receptionists (NOC 14101) in Nova Scotia for the 2024-2026 period.

The following factors contributed to this outlook:

• Employment is expected to remain relatively stable.
• A moderate number of positions will become available due to retirements.
• There are a moderate number of unemployed workers with recent experience in this occupation.
• High employee turnover in this occupation could lead to additional employment opportunities.

Jobseekers may find that the market for receptionists in their area is fairly balanced, with job openings arising frequently but multiple applicants vying for them. Having previous experience is an asset.

There has been a growing number of virtual reception services, which may provide jobseekers with more opportunities or the option to work from home.

The skill level and responsibilities associated with this role can differ from one employer to another. Openings that are strictly a reception role are becoming less common, while an increasing number include additional responsibilities such as office administration work, sales, payroll, or social media.

Here are some key facts about Receptionists in Nova Scotia:

• Approximately 3,450 people work in this occupation.
• Receptionists mainly work in the following sectors:
  • Ambulatory health care services (NAICS 621): 24%
  • Hospitals (NAICS 622): 23%
  • Other retail stores (NAICS 44-45, except 445): 10%
  • Personal and laundry services (NAICS 812): 5%
• The distribution of full-time and part-time workers in this occupation is:
  • Full-time workers: 72% compared to 82% for all occupations
  • Part-time workers: 28% compared to 18% for all occupations
• 49% of receptionists work all year, while 51% work only part of the year, compared to 62% and 38% respectively among all occupations. Those who worked only part of the year did so for an average of 38 weeks compared to 42 weeks for all occupations.
• Less than 5% of receptionists are self-employed compared to an average of 11% for all occupations.
• The gender distribution of people in this occupation is:
  • Men: 8% compared to 51% for all occupations
  • Women: 92% compared to 49% for all occupations
• The educational attainment of workers in this occupation is:
  • no high school diploma: 6% compared to 10% for all occupations
  • high school diploma or equivalent: 36% compared to 27% for all occupations
  • apprenticeship or trades certificate or diploma: 12% compared to 12% for all occupations
  • college certificate or diploma or university certificate below bachelor's: 28% compared to 22% for all occupations
  • bachelor's degree: 15% compared to 20% for all occupations
  • university certificate, degree or diploma above bachelor level: less than 5% compared to 10% for all occupations

Breakdown by region

Explore job prospects in Nova Scotia by economic region.

Source Labour Market Information | Prospects Methodology

Job prospects elsewhere in Canada

Explore current and future job prospects for people working as an "office receptionist" Receptionists (NOC 14101) or across Canada.

Learn more