When you’re running a business, every dollar counts. You’re probably trying to keep your business lean without cutting corners on service. That’s the sweet spot every business owner is aiming for. Providing great customer experiences without taking on more overhead than necessary. And that’s exactly why using an answering service is cheaper than hiring a receptionist.
You might think having someone at the front desk is just part of running a business. But once you break down the cost of salary, benefits, and space, it adds up fast. A full-time receptionist can easily cost more than $40,000 a year. If you’re not taking dozens of calls every day, you’re likely paying more than you need to.
A question might come up about whether an answering service really does the same job. We’ll walk you through that answer in plain terms, what you’re spending now, what you could save, and why more businesses are switching to outsourced phone support without sacrificing quality.
The True Cost of Hiring In-House
You might already know that a receptionist’s salary is just the start. There’s payroll tax, healthcare, training, time off, and possibly the cost of equipment and space. If you’re in a small office, adding even one staff member means higher utility bills, a larger desk area, and more HR paperwork.
Let’s say the average receptionist earns $18 per hour. That’s around $37,000 per year. Add another 20–30% for employment-related costs, and you’re closer to $45,000. That’s not including sick leave or holiday pay. And if you only get a few calls per hour? That’s expensive downtime.
This is where the savings begin to show. You’re paying for availability, not productivity. And that’s exactly why using an answering service is cheaper than hiring a receptionist.
Only Pay for What You Use
You’d want to know how the billing works with an answering service. It’s simple. Most providers charge based on call volume or minutes used, not hours worked. That means you only pay when your service is actually being used.
If you get 10–20 calls a day, your monthly bill may be just a few hundred dollars. That’s thousands saved compared to paying for a full-time receptionist to sit at a desk, especially during slow periods.
Answering services are also flexible. You can scale support up or down depending on the season, your business hours, or even staff vacations. This eliminates the need for temporary hires or burnout when someone’s out sick.
No Gaps in Coverage
You must have faced this at some point: someone calls when your team’s out to lunch, and the call goes to voicemail. Sometimes that caller doesn’t leave a message. Sometimes they call someone else.
With an answering service, that doesn’t happen. Calls are picked up on the first or second ring, every time, by trained professionals who represent your business. They follow your script, log every detail, and send the message right to you.
That kind of reliability costs more with in-house staff. With an answering service, it’s built in.
No Need for Training or Management
You’d probably prefer not to spend time training someone new every few months. Turnover is high in front desk roles, and training a new hire takes time and energy. If someone quits, you’re back at square one.
Answering services come fully trained and ready to go. Their teams handle all types of calls and industries, from healthcare to home services to law offices. You don’t have to supervise, monitor, or coach them. You just focus on your business.
This hands-off reliability is one more reason why using an answering service is cheaper than hiring a receptionist. You save time, money, and management headaches.
Built-In Flexibility
A question would come up about how answering services handle changing needs. Say your business is seasonal. Or you’re running a promotion and expecting more calls. You don’t have to scramble to hire temporary help.
With an answering service, you can increase coverage with a quick call or email. There’s no HR paperwork, no interviews, no training period. And when things slow down? You scale back. You only pay for what you use.
That kind of flexibility is hard to match with traditional hiring. It’s one of the most practical financial advantages of going virtual with your front desk support.
We Help You Do More with Less
Now that you understand why using an answering service is cheaper than hiring a receptionist, your next question would be where to get one. Consider Montana One Call to handle all your call and reception services. We’ve helped hundreds of businesses cut costs while staying responsive. We provide live, professional call support tailored to your schedule, your scripts, and your industry. You get 24/7 coverage if needed, and every message is delivered accurately and on time. No missed calls, no payroll headaches, and no wasted hours. Just reliable, efficient service that keeps your business moving. Get in touch to learn more about what we offer.