California Median
$48,840
per year
Hourly Rate
$23.48
based on 2,080 hrs/yr
vs National
+26% vs US median
US median $38,630
State Rank
#3 of 46
6,680 employed here
How much does a Switchboard Operator, Including Answering Service make in California?
Switchboard Operators, Including Answering Service in California take home a median of $48,840 annually — roughly $23.48 an hour — which runs 26% above the national median of $38,630.
Within California, entry-level pay starts around $37,380 while the top 10% make $79,260 or more. The middle 50% of earners fall between $41,600 and $65,600 a year.
Switchboard Operator, Including Answering Service salary range in California
| Pay level | Annual salary | Hourly rate | |
|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $37,380 | $17.97 |
|
| 25th percentile (early career) | $41,600 | $20.00 |
|
| 50th percentile (median) | $48,840 | $23.48 |
|
| 75th percentile (experienced) | $65,600 | $31.54 |
|
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $79,260 | $38.11 |
|
How California compares
California ranks 3rd out of 46 states and territories for Switchboard Operator, Including Answering Service pay. The top 5 best-paying states:
Switchboard Operator, Including Answering Service salary in other states
Hawaii $59,860District of Columbia $54,700Washington $47,800Minnesota $47,430New York $45,330New Hampshire $44,210Massachusetts $43,790Colorado $43,720Maine $43,350Illinois $42,660Vermont $42,630New Jersey $40,430Arizona $40,380Wisconsin $40,030Rhode Island $39,850Georgia $39,490Kansas $38,760North Carolina $38,520Iowa $38,400Connecticut $38,380Nevada $38,070Idaho $38,000New Mexico $37,710Alaska $37,690Kentucky $37,590Nebraska $37,570West Virginia $37,430Michigan $37,390Missouri $37,130Maryland $37,080Pennsylvania $36,890Indiana $36,860Virginia $36,730Ohio $36,350Montana $36,270Delaware $35,980Louisiana $35,890Tennessee $35,550Florida $35,410Arkansas $35,290Oklahoma $35,280South Carolina $34,010Texas $33,620Alabama $32,210Mississippi $30,520
Working as a Switchboard Operator, Including Answering Service in California
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 California pay ($48,840) 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 California?
The median Switchboard Operator, Including Answering Service salary in California is $48,840 per year, or about $23.48 per hour, per official BLS state wage estimates. Salaries typically range from $37,380 at the entry level to $79,260 for the top 10% of earners.
How does California pay compare to the national average?
California pays Switchboard Operators, Including Answering Service about 26% more than the national median of $38,630. California ranks 3rd out of 46 states and territories reporting this occupation.
Is California a good state for Switchboard Operators, Including Answering Service?
Yes on pay — California pays above the national median for this occupation, at $48,840 a year. About 6,680 Switchboard Operators, Including Answering Service are employed in California. Weigh that against local housing and living costs before moving.
What are the highest-paying jobs in California?
The highest-paying occupations in California include Ophthalmologist, Except Pediatric ($400,150), Neurologist ($357,080), Airline Pilots, Copilots, and Flight Engineers ($353,900), 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.