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.
Observe signal lights on switchboards, and dial or press buttons to make connections.
Operate telephone switchboards and systems to advance and complete connections, including those for local, long distance, pay telephone, mobile, person-to-person, and emergency calls.
Listen to customer requests, referring to alphabetical or geographical directories to answer questions and provide telephone information.
Update directory information.
Suggest and check alternate spellings, locations, or listing formats to customers lacking details or complete information.
Top skills:SpeakingActive ListeningService OrientationSocial PerceptivenessReading ComprehensionCritical Thinking
Includes information from O*NET OnLine by the U.S. Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration (CC BY 4.0).
Telephone Operator pay by experience level
Entry level$32,500
Typical starting pay (about the 10th percentile)
Early career$38,000
A few years in (about the 25th percentile)
Experienced$43,000
Mid-career median pay
Senior$53,500
Seasoned professionals (about the 75th percentile)
Top earners$65,000
Highest earners (about the 90th percentile)
Experience tiers are derived from the BLS wage percentile distribution for this occupation, aged to 2026. Actual pay varies by employer, location, and specialization.
Job outlook
-27.5%
projected change in jobs, 2024–2034
300
projected openings per year
Declining
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Employment Projections program (2024–2034). Openings include growth and replacement needs.
Telephone Operator salary by industry
Hospitals
1,120 workers
$47,500
Hospitals, Privately Owned
1,040 workers
$48,000
General Medical and Surgical Hospitals
1,030 workers
$48,000
Ambulatory Health Care Services
590 workers
$40,500
Offices of Physicians
560 workers
$40,000
Accommodation
350 workers
$50,500
Traveler Accommodation
350 workers
$50,500
Educational Services
280 workers
$41,000
Telecommunications
270 workers
$59,000
Federal, State, and Local Government, excluding State and Local Schools and Hospitals and USPS
260 workers
$53,500
National sector-level figures, BLS OEWS May 2025, aged to 2026.
How this role compares
Telephone Operator pays 14% below the average across 55 roles in the Office and Administrative Support job family (family average $54,000).
Similar-paying roles in Office and Administrative Support
