# AI receptionist vs hiring a receptionist: cost calculator

> AI receptionist vs hiring a receptionist: compare the monthly cost for your small business. Starts with the U.S. median receptionist wage from BLS; change any number. No email needed.

Source: https://busyworkbots.com/tools/ai-receptionist-vs-hiring-cost/
Publisher: BusyWorkBots (run by TimeGentic LLC). Written by the BusyWorkBots Editorial Team: https://busyworkbots.com/how-we-pick/

What does it cost small businesses to answer the phone? A hired receptionist next to an AI phone tool, with the sources shown. No email needed.

By [BusyWorkBots Editorial Team](https://busyworkbots.com/how-we-pick/)

Last updated: Oct 25, 2026

**Short answer:** For small businesses, a full-time receptionist at the U.S. median wage ($18.27 an hour, BLS) costs about $3,167 a month in wages alone, before taxes and benefits. AI phone tools in our directory list plans from about $85 to $150 a month. Enter your own numbers to compare.

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## How the math works

- **Hired receptionist, per month** = pay per hour × hours a week × 52 weeks ÷ 12 months, then plus the taxes-and-benefits share.
- **AI tool, per month** = the plan price you enter. Setup fees, extra minutes and phone numbers are not included.
- **Cost per call** = monthly cost ÷ calls a month.

### Where the starting numbers come from

- **$18.27 an hour:** [U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Outlook Handbook: Receptionists (median pay, May 2025)](https://www.bls.gov/ooh/office-and-administrative-support/receptionists.htm).
- **46% for taxes and benefits:** [U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Employer Costs for Employee Compensation, June 2026: for full-time private industry workers, benefits were $17.03 an hour on top of $36.97 in wages (about 46%)](https://www.bls.gov/news.release/ecec.nr0.htm). Small businesses often offer fewer benefits, so your number may be lower.
- **40 hours, 300 calls, 3 minutes, $150 plan:** examples only. Please change them to your own numbers.
- **Tool prices in the picker:** from each tool’s BusyWorkBots listing, which comes from the maker’s site. Prices change.

## Questions people ask

### How much does a receptionist cost a small business?

Start with pay: the U.S. median for receptionists was $18.27 an hour in May 2025 (BLS). Full time, that is about $3,167 a month in wages. Taxes and benefits add more; across full-time private-sector jobs they averaged about 46% on top of wages in June 2026 (BLS).

### Is an AI receptionist always cheaper?

Usually on the monthly bill, but check what the plan includes. Many plans cap calls or minutes and charge for extra. Some charge setup fees. Use your own call count and the maker's pricing page.

### Can an AI receptionist replace a person?

Not for everything. A person greets walk-ins, handles upset callers and does office work. Many small businesses use AI for the phone and keep people for the rest. This calculator only compares phone cost.

### Is this calculator free?

Yes. It runs in your browser and asks for no email. The phone tools it mentions are paid products from each maker, though some have a free plan or trial.

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