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

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

Official BLS state wage data · Unknown vintage
Missouri Median
$37,130
per year
Hourly Rate
$17.85
based on 2,080 hrs/yr
vs National
-4% vs US median
US median $38,630
State Rank
#30 of 46
640 employed here

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

Switchboard Operators, Including Answering Service in Missouri take home a median of $37,130 annually — roughly $17.85 an hour — which runs 4% below the national median of $38,630.

Within Missouri, entry-level pay starts around $32,380 while the top 10% make $45,570 or more. The middle 50% of earners fall between $34,820 and $39,460 a year.

Switchboard Operator, Including Answering Service salary range in Missouri

Pay levelAnnual salaryHourly rate
10th percentile (entry level)$32,380$15.57
25th percentile (early career)$34,820$16.74
50th percentile (median)$37,130$17.85
75th percentile (experienced)$39,460$18.97
90th percentile (top earners)$45,570$21.91

How Missouri compares

Missouri ranks 30th 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 Missouri

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 Missouri pay ($37,130) 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 Missouri?
The median Switchboard Operator, Including Answering Service salary in Missouri is $37,130 per year, or about $17.85 per hour, per official BLS state wage estimates. Salaries typically range from $32,380 at the entry level to $45,570 for the top 10% of earners.
How does Missouri pay compare to the national average?
Missouri pays Switchboard Operators, Including Answering Service about 4% less than the national median of $38,630. Missouri ranks 30th out of 46 states and territories reporting this occupation.
Is Missouri a good state for Switchboard Operators, Including Answering Service?
Pay runs below the national median here, at $37,130 a year. About 640 Switchboard Operators, Including Answering Service are employed in Missouri. 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 Missouri?
The highest-paying occupations in Missouri include Orthopedic Surgeon, Except Pediatric ($842,800), Cardiologist ($648,070), Emergency Medicine Physician ($456,280), 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.