Illinois Median
$42,660
per year
Hourly Rate
$20.51
based on 2,080 hrs/yr
vs National
+10% vs US median
US median $38,630
State Rank
#11 of 46
1,240 employed here
How much does a Switchboard Operator, Including Answering Service make in Illinois?
Switchboard Operators, Including Answering Service in Illinois take home a median of $42,660 annually — roughly $20.51 an hour — which runs 10% above the national median of $38,630.
Within Illinois, entry-level pay starts around $34,450 while the top 10% make $55,180 or more. The middle 50% of earners fall between $38,330 and $46,150 a year.
Switchboard Operator, Including Answering Service salary range in Illinois
| Pay level | Annual salary | Hourly rate | |
|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $34,450 | $16.56 |
|
| 25th percentile (early career) | $38,330 | $18.43 |
|
| 50th percentile (median) | $42,660 | $20.51 |
|
| 75th percentile (experienced) | $46,150 | $22.19 |
|
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $55,180 | $26.53 |
|
How Illinois compares
Illinois ranks 11th 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 $54,700California $48,840Washington $47,800Minnesota $47,430New York $45,330New Hampshire $44,210Massachusetts $43,790Colorado $43,720Maine $43,350Vermont $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 Illinois
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 Illinois pay ($42,660) 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 Illinois?
The median Switchboard Operator, Including Answering Service salary in Illinois is $42,660 per year, or about $20.51 per hour, per official BLS state wage estimates. Salaries typically range from $34,450 at the entry level to $55,180 for the top 10% of earners.
How does Illinois pay compare to the national average?
Illinois pays Switchboard Operators, Including Answering Service about 10% more than the national median of $38,630. Illinois ranks 11th out of 46 states and territories reporting this occupation.
Is Illinois a good state for Switchboard Operators, Including Answering Service?
Yes on pay — Illinois pays above the national median for this occupation, at $42,660 a year. About 1,240 Switchboard Operators, Including Answering Service are employed in Illinois. Weigh that against local housing and living costs before moving.
What are the highest-paying jobs in Illinois?
The highest-paying occupations in Illinois include Cardiologist ($517,850), Surgeon, All Other ($438,010), Dermatologist ($435,750), 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.