Telephone Operator Salary in Ohio (2026)

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

Official BLS state wage data · Unknown vintage
Ohio Median
$36,970
per year
Hourly Rate
$17.77
based on 2,080 hrs/yr
vs National
-11% vs US median
US median $41,740
State Rank
#14 of 16
220 employed here

How much does a Telephone Operator make in Ohio?

A Telephone Operator working in Ohio earns a median salary of $36,970 per year, or about $17.77 per hour. That is 11% below the national median of $41,740 for this occupation.

Within Ohio, entry-level pay starts around $31,990 while the top 10% make $50,500 or more. The middle 50% of earners fall between $34,320 and $39,570 a year.

Telephone Operator salary range in Ohio

Pay levelAnnual salaryHourly rate
10th percentile (entry level)$31,990$15.38
25th percentile (early career)$34,320$16.50
50th percentile (median)$36,970$17.77
75th percentile (experienced)$39,570$19.02
90th percentile (top earners)$50,500$24.28

How Ohio compares

Ohio ranks 14th 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 Ohio

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 Ohio pay ($36,970) 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 Ohio?
The median Telephone Operator salary in Ohio is $36,970 per year, or about $17.77 per hour, per official BLS state wage estimates. Salaries typically range from $31,990 at the entry level to $50,500 for the top 10% of earners.
How does Ohio pay compare to the national average?
Ohio pays Telephone Operators about 11% less than the national median of $41,740. Ohio ranks 14th out of 16 states and territories reporting this occupation.
Is Ohio a good state for Telephone Operators?
Pay runs below the national median here, at $36,970 a year. About 220 Telephone Operators are employed in Ohio. 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 Ohio?
The highest-paying occupations in Ohio include Surgeon, All Other ($554,220), Cardiologist ($504,260), Anesthesiologist ($490,530), 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.