Michigan Median
$37,550
per year
Hourly Rate
$18.05
based on 2,080 hrs/yr
vs National
-10% vs US median
US median $41,740
State Rank
#11 of 16
80 employed here
How much does a Telephone Operator make in Michigan?
Telephone Operators in Michigan take home a median of $37,550 annually — roughly $18.05 an hour — which runs 10% below the national median of $41,740.
Within Michigan, entry-level pay starts around $35,640 while the top 10% make $49,070 or more. The middle 50% of earners fall between $35,760 and $43,520 a year.
Telephone Operator salary range in Michigan
| Pay level | Annual salary | Hourly rate | |
|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $35,640 | $17.13 |
|
| 25th percentile (early career) | $35,760 | $17.19 |
|
| 50th percentile (median) | $37,550 | $18.05 |
|
| 75th percentile (experienced) | $43,520 | $20.92 |
|
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $49,070 | $23.59 |
|
How Michigan compares
Michigan ranks 11th out of 16 states and territories for Telephone Operator pay. The top 5 best-paying states:
Telephone Operator salary in other states
California $57,170New York $50,220District of Columbia $49,330Massachusetts $47,940Wisconsin $46,590Maryland $42,460Virginia $42,350New Jersey $41,960Texas $41,250North Carolina $40,360Oklahoma $37,320Florida $37,180Ohio $36,970Georgia $36,920Louisiana $31,400
Working as a Telephone Operator in Michigan
Nationally, about 3,000 people work as Telephone Operators in the United States. A high school diploma is typically enough, with most skills learned on the job.
Considering a move? Compare Michigan pay ($37,550) 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 Telephone Operator make in Michigan?
The median Telephone Operator salary in Michigan is $37,550 per year, or about $18.05 per hour, per official BLS state wage estimates. Salaries typically range from $35,640 at the entry level to $49,070 for the top 10% of earners.
How does Michigan pay compare to the national average?
Michigan pays Telephone Operators about 10% less than the national median of $41,740. Michigan ranks 11th out of 16 states and territories reporting this occupation.
Is Michigan a good state for Telephone Operators?
Pay runs below the national median here, at $37,550 a year. About 80 Telephone Operators are employed in Michigan. 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 Michigan?
The highest-paying occupations in Michigan include Radiologist ($485,920), Airline Pilots, Copilots, and Flight Engineers ($428,570), Cardiologist ($419,030), based on median annual pay in official BLS state estimates.
← See the national Telephone Operator 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.