Iowa Median
$38,400
per year
Hourly Rate
$18.46
based on 2,080 hrs/yr
vs National
-1% vs US median
US median $38,630
State Rank
#20 of 46
210 employed here
How much does a Switchboard Operator, Including Answering Service make in Iowa?
Switchboard Operators, Including Answering Service in Iowa take home a median of $38,400 annually — roughly $18.46 an hour — which runs 1% below the national median of $38,630.
Within Iowa, entry-level pay starts around $30,060 while the top 10% make $45,570 or more. The middle 50% of earners fall between $36,600 and $42,580 a year.
Switchboard Operator, Including Answering Service salary range in Iowa
| Pay level | Annual salary | Hourly rate | |
|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $30,060 | $14.45 |
|
| 25th percentile (early career) | $36,600 | $17.60 |
|
| 50th percentile (median) | $38,400 | $18.46 |
|
| 75th percentile (experienced) | $42,580 | $20.47 |
|
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $45,570 | $21.91 |
|
How Iowa compares
Iowa ranks 20th 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 $43,350Illinois $42,660Vermont $42,630New Jersey $40,430Arizona $40,380Wisconsin $40,030Rhode Island $39,850Georgia $39,490Kansas $38,760North Carolina $38,520Connecticut $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 Iowa
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 Iowa pay ($38,400) 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 Iowa?
The median Switchboard Operator, Including Answering Service salary in Iowa is $38,400 per year, or about $18.46 per hour, per official BLS state wage estimates. Salaries typically range from $30,060 at the entry level to $45,570 for the top 10% of earners.
How does Iowa pay compare to the national average?
Iowa pays Switchboard Operators, Including Answering Service about 1% less than the national median of $38,630. Iowa ranks 20th out of 46 states and territories reporting this occupation.
Is Iowa a good state for Switchboard Operators, Including Answering Service?
Pay runs below the national median here, at $38,400 a year. About 210 Switchboard Operators, Including Answering Service are employed in Iowa. 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 Iowa?
The highest-paying occupations in Iowa include Emergency Medicine Physician ($429,050), Dermatologist ($424,970), Radiologist ($405,220), 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.