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

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

Official BLS state wage data · Unknown vintage
Pennsylvania Median
$36,890
per year
Hourly Rate
$17.74
based on 2,080 hrs/yr
vs National
-5% vs US median
US median $38,630
State Rank
#32 of 46
1,350 employed here

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

A Switchboard Operator, Including Answering Service working in Pennsylvania earns a median salary of $36,890 per year, or about $17.74 per hour. That is 5% below the national median of $38,630 for this occupation.

Within Pennsylvania, entry-level pay starts around $22,270 while the top 10% make $46,590 or more. The middle 50% of earners fall between $28,890 and $41,760 a year.

Switchboard Operator, Including Answering Service salary range in Pennsylvania

Pay levelAnnual salaryHourly rate
10th percentile (entry level)$22,270$10.71
25th percentile (early career)$28,890$13.89
50th percentile (median)$36,890$17.74
75th percentile (experienced)$41,760$20.08
90th percentile (top earners)$46,590$22.40

How Pennsylvania compares

Pennsylvania ranks 32nd 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 Pennsylvania

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 Pennsylvania pay ($36,890) 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 Pennsylvania?
The median Switchboard Operator, Including Answering Service salary in Pennsylvania is $36,890 per year, or about $17.74 per hour, per official BLS state wage estimates. Salaries typically range from $22,270 at the entry level to $46,590 for the top 10% of earners.
How does Pennsylvania pay compare to the national average?
Pennsylvania pays Switchboard Operators, Including Answering Service about 5% less than the national median of $38,630. Pennsylvania ranks 32nd out of 46 states and territories reporting this occupation.
Is Pennsylvania a good state for Switchboard Operators, Including Answering Service?
Pay runs below the national median here, at $36,890 a year. About 1,350 Switchboard Operators, Including Answering Service are employed in Pennsylvania. 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 Pennsylvania?
The highest-paying occupations in Pennsylvania include Cardiologist ($579,120), Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeons ($553,740), Anesthesiologist ($461,390), 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.