Telephone Operator Salary in New York (2026)

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

Official BLS state wage data · Unknown vintage
New York Median
$50,220
per year
Hourly Rate
$24.14
based on 2,080 hrs/yr
vs National
+20% vs US median
US median $41,740
State Rank
#2 of 16
state estimate

How much does a Telephone Operator make in New York?

A Telephone Operator working in New York earns a median salary of $50,220 per year, or about $24.14 per hour. That is 20% above the national median of $41,740 for this occupation.

Within New York, entry-level pay starts around $37,840 while the top 10% make $70,810 or more. The middle 50% of earners fall between $39,140 and $58,170 a year.

Telephone Operator salary range in New York

Pay levelAnnual salaryHourly rate
10th percentile (entry level)$37,840$18.19
25th percentile (early career)$39,140$18.82
50th percentile (median)$50,220$24.14
75th percentile (experienced)$58,170$27.97
90th percentile (top earners)$70,810$34.04

How New York compares

New York ranks 2nd 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 York

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 York pay ($50,220) 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 York?
The median Telephone Operator salary in New York is $50,220 per year, or about $24.14 per hour, per official BLS state wage estimates. Salaries typically range from $37,840 at the entry level to $70,810 for the top 10% of earners.
How does New York pay compare to the national average?
New York pays Telephone Operators about 20% more than the national median of $41,740. New York ranks 2nd out of 16 states and territories reporting this occupation.
Is New York a good state for Telephone Operators?
Yes on pay — New York pays above the national median for this occupation, at $50,220 a year. Weigh that against local housing and living costs before moving.
What are the highest-paying jobs in New York?
The highest-paying occupations in New York include Cardiologist ($492,040), Anesthesiologist ($445,660), Radiologist ($441,580), 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.