How much does a Switchboard Operator, Including Answering Service make?
The median pay for a Switchboard Operator, Including Answering Service in the United States is $38,630 per year — about $18.57 per hour. Entry-level positions start near $29,990, while the most experienced Switchboard Operators, Including Answering Service in the top 10% earn $59,470.
That is $22,760 less than the median across all occupations in BLS data ($61,390).
Switchboard Operator, Including Answering Service salary range by percentile
Half of all Switchboard Operators, Including Answering Service earn between $34,820 and $46,530 a year.
| Pay level | Annual salary | Hourly rate | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $29,990 | $14.42 | |
| 25th percentile (early career) | $34,820 | $16.74 | |
| 50th percentile (median) | $38,630 | $18.57 | |
| 75th percentile (experienced) | $46,530 | $22.37 | |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $59,470 | $28.59 |
Highest-paying states for Switchboard Operator, Including Answering Service
Where you work matters more than almost anything else. Hawaii leads the country for Switchboard Operator, Including Answering Service pay at $59,860 a year, followed by District of Columbia ($54,700) and California ($48,840). At the other end, Mississippi posts the lowest median at $30,520 — a gap of $29,340 for the same job, driven by local demand, industry mix, and cost of living.
| # | State | Median salary | Hourly | vs national |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Hawaii | $59,860 | $28.78 | +55% |
| 2 | District of Columbia | $54,700 | $26.30 | +42% |
| 3 | California | $48,840 | $23.48 | +26% |
| 4 | Washington | $47,800 | $22.98 | +24% |
| 5 | Minnesota | $47,430 | $22.80 | +23% |
Switchboard Operator, Including Answering Service salary in every state
Official BLS state-level figures across 46 states and territories. Click a state for the full local breakdown.
Workforce and education
About 34,000 people work as Switchboard Operators, Including Answering Service in the United States. The mean (average) wage is $42,300 — above the median, which means high earners pull the average up. On qualifications: a high school diploma is typically enough, with most skills learned on the job, per O*NET occupation data.
Frequently asked questions
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