Careers · Office and administrative support

Switchboard Operators, Including Answering Service

Switchboard operators manage telephone systems for businesses, routing calls between internal lines and outside callers. They work in offices, medical facilities, hotels, and call centers, using specialized equipment to connect calls, transfer messages, and provide basic information to callers.

$38,630median pay, U.S., per year

$34,820–$46,530middle half earn

34Kemployed in the U.S.

High school diplomatypical education · 3% hold a bachelor’s or higher

HighAI exposure · AI tools can speed up many tasks. Skills in using them will matter, and some roles may change.

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A day in the work

A switchboard operator sits at a console monitoring multiple phone lines simultaneously. Work involves answering incoming calls, routing them to the correct department or person, placing outgoing calls, and taking messages when recipients are unavailable. Operators also may handle administrative tasks like logging call details, troubleshooting connection problems, and greeting visitors. The pace varies with call volume throughout the day.

Who this work suits

Conventional

83Realistic

44Enterprising

36Social

32Investigative

6Artistic

Holland code CRE. Conventional work is organized, detail-oriented work with clear procedures. Aptly’s interest assessment scores you on the same six scales.

You tend to prefer organized, detail-oriented work with clear procedures to follow. You're comfortable with routine tasks and like seeing practical results. You work well with structured systems and enjoy the steady rhythm of managing communications for an organization.

What it takes

Preparation: Some preparation (usually high school; some on-the-job training). Most people in this occupation hold a high school diploma.

Skills that matter most

Active ListeningSpeakingSocial PerceptivenessService OrientationReading ComprehensionCoordinationMonitoringWriting

Knowledge areas

Customer and Personal ServiceEnglish LanguageAdministrativeComputers and ElectronicsTelecommunicationsAdministration and Management

Who is hiring

5open roles like this on employer career sites

1employer hiring

0posted in the last 7 days

WIwhere most openings are

Pay by state

State	25th pct	Median	75th pct	Employed
Hawaii	$47,900	$59,860	$64,910	410
District of Columbia	$47,510	$54,700	$61,580	230
California	$41,600	$48,840	$65,600	6,680
Washington	$41,040	$47,800	$52,870	430
Minnesota	$42,970	$47,430	$55,530	200
New York	$38,430	$45,330	$54,480	1,760
New Hampshire	$39,300	$44,210	$47,410	100
Massachusetts	$38,550	$43,790	$48,260	830
Colorado	$39,650	$43,720	$45,900	320
Maine	$39,940	$43,350	$45,680	100
Illinois	$38,330	$42,660	$46,150	1,240
Vermont	$40,220	$42,630	$46,320	70

All 50 states, D.C. and Puerto Rico

Hawaii · $59,860 District of Columbia · $54,700 California · $48,840 Washington · $47,800 Minnesota · $47,430 New York · $45,330 New Hampshire · $44,210 Massachusetts · $43,790 Colorado · $43,720 Maine · $43,350 Illinois · $42,660 Vermont · $42,630 New Jersey · $40,430 Arizona · $40,380 Wisconsin · $40,030 Rhode Island · $39,850 Georgia · $39,490 Kansas · $38,760 North Carolina · $38,520 Iowa · $38,400 Connecticut · $38,380 Nevada · $38,070 Idaho · $38,000 New Mexico · $37,710 Alaska · $37,690 Kentucky · $37,590 Nebraska · $37,570 West Virginia · $37,430 Michigan · $37,390 Missouri · $37,130 Maryland · $37,080 Pennsylvania · $36,890 Indiana · $36,860 Virginia · $36,730 Ohio · $36,350 Montana · $36,270 Delaware · $35,980 Louisiana · $35,890 Tennessee · $35,550 Florida · $35,410 Arkansas · $35,290 Oklahoma · $35,280 South Carolina · $34,010 Texas · $33,620 Alabama · $32,210 Mississippi · $30,520

Training

Local training programs Certifications Licenses in your state Apprenticeships

Aptly members see WIOA-approved programs, colleges and certificates near them, with completion and earnings data, on every Path plan.

Job titles in this occupation

PBX Operator Phone Operator Switchboard Operator Call Center Operator Phone and Cashier Support Switchboard Outfitter

Related occupations

Telephone Operators Communications Equipment Operators, All Other First-Line Supervisors of Office and Administrative Support Workers Bill and Account Collectors Billing and Posting Clerks Bookkeeping, Accounting, and Auditing Clerks Gambling Cage Workers Payroll and Timekeeping Clerks

Are you suited for this?
Four short assessments and your background, scored against switchboard operators, including answering service and 13,000 other careers — with the reasons. Free.

Find out in 15 minutes See openings

O*NET-SOC 43-2011.00 · O*NET OnLine. Pay: BLS OEWS May 2025, annual, U.S. Employment counts are national.