Telephone Operator Salary in Wisconsin (2026)

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

Official BLS state wage data · Unknown vintage
Wisconsin Median
$46,590
per year
Hourly Rate
$22.40
based on 2,080 hrs/yr
vs National
+12% vs US median
US median $41,740
State Rank
#5 of 16
60 employed here

How much does a Telephone Operator make in Wisconsin?

Telephone Operators in Wisconsin take home a median of $46,590 annually — roughly $22.40 an hour — which runs 12% above the national median of $41,740.

Within Wisconsin, entry-level pay starts around $38,940 while the top 10% make $48,520 or more. The middle 50% of earners fall between $44,470 and $47,820 a year.

Telephone Operator salary range in Wisconsin

Pay levelAnnual salaryHourly rate
10th percentile (entry level)$38,940$18.72
25th percentile (early career)$44,470$21.38
50th percentile (median)$46,590$22.40
75th percentile (experienced)$47,820$22.99
90th percentile (top earners)$48,520$23.33

How Wisconsin compares

Wisconsin ranks 5th 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 Wisconsin

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 Wisconsin pay ($46,590) 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 Wisconsin?
The median Telephone Operator salary in Wisconsin is $46,590 per year, or about $22.40 per hour, per official BLS state wage estimates. Salaries typically range from $38,940 at the entry level to $48,520 for the top 10% of earners.
How does Wisconsin pay compare to the national average?
Wisconsin pays Telephone Operators about 12% more than the national median of $41,740. Wisconsin ranks 5th out of 16 states and territories reporting this occupation.
Is Wisconsin a good state for Telephone Operators?
Yes on pay — Wisconsin pays above the national median for this occupation, at $46,590 a year. About 60 Telephone Operators are employed in Wisconsin. Weigh that against local housing and living costs before moving.
What are the highest-paying jobs in Wisconsin?
The highest-paying occupations in Wisconsin include Cardiologist ($636,580), Orthopedic Surgeon, Except Pediatric ($572,060), Anesthesiologist ($443,990), 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.