AI Receptionist vs Human Receptionist: A Cost Comparison

Hiring a full-time receptionist is expensive. Salary, benefits, training, and equipment add up quickly. As businesses look for ways to optimize their budgets, the debate between hiring a human vs. employing an AI receptionist is becoming more relevant.

Let's break down the numbers to see which option makes the most financial sense for a Canadian small-to-medium business.

The Cost of a Human Receptionist

The average salary for a receptionist in Canada is around $40,000 per year. But that's just the base. When you add:

• EI and CPP contributions
• Health benefits and insurance
• Vacation pay and sick days
• Recruiting and training costs
• Equipment (desk, computer, phone)

The total cost can easily exceed $55,000 to $60,000 annually. Plus, a human can only work 40 hours a week and handle one call at a time.

The AI Advantage

Baiotel offers plans starting at a fraction of that cost—often less than the price of a daily coffee. But the value goes beyond just the sticker price.

• 24/7 Availability: AI doesn't go home at 5 PM. It works nights, weekends, and holidays at no extra cost.
• Scalability: An AI can handle 10 or 100 calls simultaneously. You never hear a busy signal.
• Consistency: The script is followed perfectly every time. No bad moods or bad days.

The Hybrid Approach

For many businesses, the ideal solution isn't "all or nothing." It's using AI to handle the bulk of routine calls and scheduling, freeing up your human staff to handle high-value, complex client interactions.

This keeps your overhead low while maximizing the effectiveness of your human team.