AI receptionist vs hiring a receptionist
This isn't a choice between your front desk and an AI. A good receptionist does things Ava can't, like greeting people at the door. Ava covers what one person can't: after hours, lunch, weekends and the second line that rings while your receptionist is with someone. Here are the numbers and how the two work together.
Last updated · No Show Killer AI
- Done for you, live in days
- Works with the calendar you already use
- Confirms, reminds, reschedules by reply
Ava vs hiring a receptionist
Cost
Ava
Plans from $497 to $1,997 a month, by call minutes. Setup quoted after the demo.
Hiring a receptionist
US median wage $38,010 a year ($18.27 an hour), May 2025, BLS. Wages only, before payroll taxes and benefits.
After hours and weekends
Ava
Yes. First ring, day or night.
Hiring a receptionist
Only during the hours they're scheduled to work.
Lunch and the second line
Ava
Yes. Picks up overflow while your team is with someone.
Hiring a receptionist
One person, one call at a time.
Books into your calendar during the call
Ava
Yes, against real availability and your booking rules.
Hiring a receptionist
Yes.
Confirmations, reminders and reschedule by reply
Ava
Automatic on every booking.
Hiring a receptionist
By hand, when there's time.
In-person work: greeting visitors, the front desk
Ava
No. Ava is on the phone.
Hiring a receptionist
Yes.
Judgment on unusual situations
Ava
Hands the call to a person by transfer or message.
Hiring a receptionist
Yes.
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Outlook Handbook: Receptionists . Median annual wage $38,010 ($18.27 an hour), May 2025. Wages only, before payroll taxes and benefits.
The numbers
The median annual wage for receptionists in the US was $38,010 ($18.27 an hour) in May 2025, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. That is wages only, before payroll taxes and benefits.
Ava's plans are $497 a month with 500 call minutes, $997 with 1,500 minutes and $1,997 with 4,000 minutes. Plans are monthly and cancelled in one click, and setup is quoted after the demo.
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Outlook Handbook: Receptionists . Median annual wage $38,010 ($18.27 an hour), May 2025. Wages only, before payroll taxes and benefits.
Better together: Ava alongside your front desk
Your receptionist keeps her job and loses the worst part of it. Ava covers after hours, lunch, weekends and the second line that rings while your receptionist is with a customer. Nothing goes to voicemail, and your team stays with the people in front of them.
Ava also takes the confirmation chasing off their plate: every booking gets a text confirmation, a reminder and an easy way to reschedule by replying.
When hiring a receptionist is the better choice
We'd rather you pick what fits. Ava is the better fit when your business runs on appointments, but not always:
- You need someone at the front desk to greet people, handle paperwork and take payments in person.
- Your calls regularly need judgment or relationships that go beyond answering, booking and passing on messages.
- You have the volume and the budget for in-person coverage, and phones are only one part of the job.
Monthly plans. Done for you.
Monthly, cancelled in one click from your portal. Minutes reset each month, and you can add a pack that never expires when you need more. Setup is quoted after the demo.
Growth
Most popular1,500 call minutes included
Busy front desks and multiple lines.
Book a demoAI receptionist vs hiring a receptionist: questions owners ask
How much does a receptionist cost?
The US median wage for receptionists was $38,010 a year ($18.27 an hour) in May 2025, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. That is wages only, before payroll taxes and benefits.
Can an AI receptionist replace my front desk?
That isn't how most businesses use Ava. She covers after hours, lunch, weekends and the second line while your receptionist is with someone, so your team stays with the people in front of them.
We already have a receptionist. Why would we need this?
She keeps her job and loses the worst part of it. Ava covers after hours, lunch, weekends and the second line that rings while your receptionist is with a customer. Nothing goes to voicemail.
What happens on a call Ava can't handle?
She hands it to a person, by transferring the call or taking a message, and everything is logged with the recording and transcript in your dashboard.
What does Ava cost?
Plans start at $497 a month with 500 call minutes and go up to $1,997 for 4,000 minutes. Setup is quoted after the demo. Plans are monthly and cancelled in one click from your portal.
Book your 20-minute demo
Tell us about your business and pick a time. Nicole walks you through exactly how Ava would handle your calls, with your own numbers from the calculator above.
Prefer to hear Ava first? Call her on +1 (515) 316-5623.
Questions about onboarding: onboarding@noshowkillerai.com