Telephone Operator Salary in North Carolina (2026)

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

Official BLS state wage data · Unknown vintage
North Carolina Median
$40,360
per year
Hourly Rate
$19.40
based on 2,080 hrs/yr
vs National
-3% vs US median
US median $41,740
State Rank
#10 of 16
40 employed here

How much does a Telephone Operator make in North Carolina?

A Telephone Operator working in North Carolina earns a median salary of $40,360 per year, or about $19.40 per hour. That is 3% below the national median of $41,740 for this occupation.

Within North Carolina, entry-level pay starts around $29,330 while the top 10% make $47,750 or more. The middle 50% of earners fall between $36,980 and $43,380 a year.

Telephone Operator salary range in North Carolina

Pay levelAnnual salaryHourly rate
10th percentile (entry level)$29,330$14.10
25th percentile (early career)$36,980$17.78
50th percentile (median)$40,360$19.40
75th percentile (experienced)$43,380$20.86
90th percentile (top earners)$47,750$22.96

How North Carolina compares

North Carolina ranks 10th 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 North Carolina

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 North Carolina pay ($40,360) 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 North Carolina?
The median Telephone Operator salary in North Carolina is $40,360 per year, or about $19.40 per hour, per official BLS state wage estimates. Salaries typically range from $29,330 at the entry level to $47,750 for the top 10% of earners.
How does North Carolina pay compare to the national average?
North Carolina pays Telephone Operators about 3% less than the national median of $41,740. North Carolina ranks 10th out of 16 states and territories reporting this occupation.
Is North Carolina a good state for Telephone Operators?
Pay runs below the national median here, at $40,360 a year. About 40 Telephone Operators are employed in North 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 North Carolina?
The highest-paying occupations in North Carolina include Surgeon, All Other ($398,410), Dermatologist ($367,350), Emergency Medicine Physician ($339,350), 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.