Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025, aged to 2026 using compounded market movement. State selections show BLS state-level figures where published. Actual pay varies with experience, industry, and organization size.
Switchboard Operators, Including Answering Service salary by state
Switchboard Operators, Including Answering Service is a professional role in the Office and Administrative Support job family, focused on Switchboard Operators, Including Answering Service work. Pay for this title reflects both its level and its scope; see our Title Level and Organization Responsibility guides for how WePayFairly defines them.
What Switchboard Operators, Including Answering Services do
Typical education: High School Diploma
Operate communication systems, such as telephone, switchboard, intercom, two-way radio, or public address.
Answer incoming calls, greeting callers, providing information, transferring calls or taking messages as necessary.
Greet visitors, log them in and out of the facility, assign them security badges, and contact employee escorts.
Monitor emergency and code alarms, make emergency announcements, or route emergency calls to the appropriate location.
Record messages, suggesting rewording for clarity or conciseness.
Top skills:Active ListeningSpeakingSocial PerceptivenessService OrientationReading ComprehensionCoordination
Includes information from O*NET OnLine by the U.S. Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration (CC BY 4.0).
Switchboard Operators, Including Answering Service salary by industry
Health Care and Social Assistance
17,470 workers
$46,000
Administrative and Support and Waste Management and Remediation Services
7,550 workers
$38,000
Local Government, including Schools and Hospitals (OEWS Designation)
2,280 workers
$44,500
Accommodation and Food Services
2,170 workers
$50,000
Federal, State, and Local Government, excl. State & Local Schools & Hospitals & USPS
1,310 workers
$49,000
Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services
850 workers
$41,000
State Government, including Schools and Hospitals (OEWS Designation)
830 workers
$47,500
Sectors 44 and 45 – Retail Trade
790 workers
$35,000
National sector-level figures, BLS OEWS May 2025, aged to 2026.
How this role compares
Switchboard Operators, Including Answering Service pays 19% below the average across 54 roles in the Office and Administrative Support job family (family average $54,000).
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