Switchboard Operator, Including Answering Service Salary in South Carolina (2026)

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

Official BLS state wage data · Unknown vintage
South Carolina Median
$34,010
per year
Hourly Rate
$16.35
based on 2,080 hrs/yr
vs National
-12% vs US median
US median $38,630
State Rank
#43 of 46
480 employed here

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

A Switchboard Operator, Including Answering Service working in South Carolina earns a median salary of $34,010 per year, or about $16.35 per hour. That is 12% below the national median of $38,630 for this occupation.

Within South Carolina, entry-level pay starts around $29,940 while the top 10% make $43,730 or more. The middle 50% of earners fall between $30,780 and $37,500 a year.

Switchboard Operator, Including Answering Service salary range in South Carolina

Pay levelAnnual salaryHourly rate
10th percentile (entry level)$29,940$14.39
25th percentile (early career)$30,780$14.80
50th percentile (median)$34,010$16.35
75th percentile (experienced)$37,500$18.03
90th percentile (top earners)$43,730$21.02

How South Carolina compares

South Carolina ranks 43rd 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 South Carolina

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 South Carolina pay ($34,010) 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 South Carolina?
The median Switchboard Operator, Including Answering Service salary in South Carolina is $34,010 per year, or about $16.35 per hour, per official BLS state wage estimates. Salaries typically range from $29,940 at the entry level to $43,730 for the top 10% of earners.
How does South Carolina pay compare to the national average?
South Carolina pays Switchboard Operators, Including Answering Service about 12% less than the national median of $38,630. South Carolina ranks 43rd out of 46 states and territories reporting this occupation.
Is South Carolina a good state for Switchboard Operators, Including Answering Service?
Pay runs below the national median here, at $34,010 a year. About 480 Switchboard Operators, Including Answering Service are employed in South Carolina. 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 South Carolina?
The highest-paying occupations in South Carolina include General Internal Medicine Physician ($359,500), Neurologist ($352,680), Emergency Medicine Physician ($341,960), 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.