Switchboard Operator, Including Answering Service Salary in Arkansas (2026)

Official state-level BLS pay data for Switchboard Operators, Including Answering Service in Arkansas, plus how it compares with the rest of the country.

Official BLS state wage data · Unknown vintage
Arkansas Median
$35,290
per year
Hourly Rate
$16.97
based on 2,080 hrs/yr
vs National
-9% vs US median
US median $38,630
State Rank
#41 of 46
260 employed here

How much does a Switchboard Operator, Including Answering Service make in Arkansas?

Switchboard Operators, Including Answering Service in Arkansas take home a median of $35,290 annually — roughly $16.97 an hour — which runs 9% below the national median of $38,630.

Within Arkansas, entry-level pay starts around $29,360 while the top 10% make $42,870 or more. The middle 50% of earners fall between $31,090 and $39,040 a year.

Switchboard Operator, Including Answering Service salary range in Arkansas

Pay levelAnnual salaryHourly rate
10th percentile (entry level)$29,360$14.12
25th percentile (early career)$31,090$14.95
50th percentile (median)$35,290$16.97
75th percentile (experienced)$39,040$18.77
90th percentile (top earners)$42,870$20.61

How Arkansas compares

Arkansas ranks 41st out of 46 states and territories for Switchboard Operator, Including Answering Service pay. The top 5 best-paying states:

RankStateMedian salary
1Hawaii$59,860
2District of Columbia$54,700
3California$48,840
4Washington$47,800
5Minnesota$47,430

Working as a Switchboard Operator, Including Answering Service in Arkansas

Nationally, about 34,000 people work as Switchboard Operators, Including Answering Service in the United States. A high school diploma is typically enough, with most skills learned on the job.

Considering a move? Compare Arkansas pay ($35,290) against the highest-paying state above, and weigh the difference against housing and everyday costs — a smaller paycheck in a cheaper state can stretch further.

Frequently asked questions

How much does a Switchboard Operator, Including Answering Service make in Arkansas?
The median Switchboard Operator, Including Answering Service salary in Arkansas is $35,290 per year, or about $16.97 per hour, per official BLS state wage estimates. Salaries typically range from $29,360 at the entry level to $42,870 for the top 10% of earners.
How does Arkansas pay compare to the national average?
Arkansas pays Switchboard Operators, Including Answering Service about 9% less than the national median of $38,630. Arkansas ranks 41st out of 46 states and territories reporting this occupation.
Is Arkansas a good state for Switchboard Operators, Including Answering Service?
Pay runs below the national median here, at $35,290 a year. About 260 Switchboard Operators, Including Answering Service are employed in Arkansas. A lower cost of living can offset the smaller paycheck, so compare take-home value, not just salary.
What are the highest-paying jobs in Arkansas?
The highest-paying occupations in Arkansas include Dermatologist ($422,060), Neurologist ($317,880), Orthopedic Surgeon, Except Pediatric ($262,470), based on median annual pay in official BLS state estimates.

← See the national Switchboard Operator, Including Answering Service salary report

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Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), Unknown vintage. Education requirements: O*NET (U.S. Department of Labor). State figures are official BLS state-level wage estimates. Where BLS suppresses a state percentile, it is scaled from the official national distribution. Individual pay varies by employer, metro area, and experience.