Telephone Operator Salary in New Jersey (2026)

Official state-level BLS pay data for Telephone Operators in New Jersey, plus how it compares with the rest of the country.

Official BLS state wage data · Unknown vintage
New Jersey Median
$41,960
per year
Hourly Rate
$20.17
based on 2,080 hrs/yr
vs National
+1% vs US median
US median $41,740
State Rank
#8 of 16
190 employed here

How much does a Telephone Operator make in New Jersey?

Telephone Operators in New Jersey take home a median of $41,960 annually — roughly $20.17 an hour — which runs 1% above the national median of $41,740.

Within New Jersey, entry-level pay starts around $37,120 while the top 10% make $55,000 or more. The middle 50% of earners fall between $39,600 and $47,710 a year.

Telephone Operator salary range in New Jersey

Pay levelAnnual salaryHourly rate
10th percentile (entry level)$37,120$17.85
25th percentile (early career)$39,600$19.04
50th percentile (median)$41,960$20.17
75th percentile (experienced)$47,710$22.94
90th percentile (top earners)$55,000$26.44

How New Jersey compares

New Jersey ranks 8th out of 16 states and territories for Telephone Operator pay. The top 5 best-paying states:

RankStateMedian salary
1California$57,170
2New York$50,220
3District of Columbia$49,330
4Massachusetts$47,940
5Wisconsin$46,590

Working as a Telephone Operator in New Jersey

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 New Jersey pay ($41,960) 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 New Jersey?
The median Telephone Operator salary in New Jersey is $41,960 per year, or about $20.17 per hour, per official BLS state wage estimates. Salaries typically range from $37,120 at the entry level to $55,000 for the top 10% of earners.
How does New Jersey pay compare to the national average?
New Jersey pays Telephone Operators about 1% more than the national median of $41,740. New Jersey ranks 8th out of 16 states and territories reporting this occupation.
Is New Jersey a good state for Telephone Operators?
Yes on pay — New Jersey pays above the national median for this occupation, at $41,960 a year. About 190 Telephone Operators are employed in New Jersey. Weigh that against local housing and living costs before moving.
What are the highest-paying jobs in New Jersey?
The highest-paying occupations in New Jersey include Radiologist ($482,700), Surgeon, All Other ($437,890), Physician, Pathologists ($355,970), 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.