Switchboard Operators, Including Answering Service Salary in the United States
Median annual wage: $38,630 · Median hourly: $18.57 · Employment: 34,280
Annual Salary Percentiles
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th | $29,990 | $14.42 |
| 25th | $34,820 | $16.74 |
| Median | $38,630 | $18.57 |
| 75th | $46,530 | $22.37 |
| 90th | $59,470 | $28.59 |
Quick Facts
- Occupational code: 43-2011
- Total U.S. employment: 34,280
- Jobs per 1,000: —
- Hourly salary breakdown
- All-state comparison
Reading the data
Pay spans a wide range: workers at the 10th percentile earn about $29,990, while those at the 90th percentile earn about $59,470 — a 2.0x gap between entry-level and top earners.
At $18.57 per hour, a full-time schedule (2,080 hours per year) works out to roughly $38,626 — in line with the reported median annual wage of $38,630.
Switchboard Operators, Including Answering Service Salary by State
The table below ranks every state by median annual wage. Click a state for detailed local data.
| State | Median Annual | Median Hourly | vs National | Employment |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Alabama | $32,210 | $15.48 | -16.6% | 680 |
| Alaska | $37,690 | $18.12 | -2.4% | 0 |
| Arizona | $40,380 | $19.42 | +4.5% | 380 |
| Arkansas | $35,290 | $16.96 | -8.6% | 260 |
| California | $48,840 | $23.48 | +26.4% | 6,680 |
| Colorado | $43,720 | $21.02 | +13.2% | 320 |
| Connecticut | $38,380 | $18.45 | -0.6% | 180 |
| Delaware | $35,980 | $17.30 | -6.9% | 180 |
| District of Columbia | $54,700 | $26.30 | +41.6% | 230 |
| Florida | $35,410 | $17.03 | -8.3% | 3,090 |
| Georgia | $39,490 | $18.99 | +2.2% | 780 |
| Hawaii | $59,860 | $28.78 | +55.0% | 410 |
| Idaho | $38,000 | $18.27 | -1.6% | 70 |
| Illinois | $42,660 | $20.51 | +10.4% | 1,240 |
| Indiana | $36,860 | $17.72 | -4.6% | 380 |
| Iowa | $38,400 | $18.46 | -0.6% | 210 |
| Kansas | $38,760 | $18.64 | +0.3% | 180 |
| Kentucky | $37,590 | $18.07 | -2.7% | 370 |
| Louisiana | $35,890 | $17.26 | -7.1% | 0 |
| Maine | $43,350 | $20.84 | +12.2% | 100 |
| Maryland | $37,080 | $17.83 | -4.0% | 650 |
| Massachusetts | $43,790 | $21.05 | +13.4% | 830 |
| Michigan | $37,390 | $17.98 | -3.2% | 370 |
| Minnesota | $47,430 | $22.80 | +22.8% | 200 |
| Mississippi | $30,520 | $14.68 | -21.0% | 200 |
| Missouri | $37,130 | $17.85 | -3.9% | 640 |
| Montana | $36,270 | $17.44 | -6.1% | 110 |
| Nebraska | $37,570 | $18.06 | -2.7% | 180 |
| Nevada | $38,070 | $18.30 | -1.4% | 650 |
| New Hampshire | $44,210 | $21.26 | +14.4% | 100 |
| New Jersey | $40,430 | $19.44 | +4.7% | 660 |
| New Mexico | $37,710 | $18.13 | -2.4% | 220 |
| New York | $45,330 | $21.79 | +17.3% | 1,760 |
| North Carolina | $38,520 | $18.52 | -0.3% | 690 |
| Ohio | $36,350 | $17.48 | -5.9% | 990 |
| Oklahoma | $35,280 | $16.96 | -8.7% | 480 |
| Pennsylvania | $36,890 | $17.74 | -4.5% | 1,350 |
| Rhode Island | $39,850 | $19.16 | +3.2% | 130 |
| South Carolina | $34,010 | $16.35 | -12.0% | 480 |
| Tennessee | $35,550 | $17.09 | -8.0% | 680 |
| Texas | $33,620 | $16.16 | -13.0% | 3,640 |
| Utah | — | — | — | 50 |
| Vermont | $42,630 | $20.50 | +10.4% | 70 |
| Virginia | $36,730 | $17.66 | -4.9% | 610 |
| Washington | $47,800 | $22.98 | +23.7% | 430 |
| West Virginia | $37,430 | $18.00 | -3.1% | 110 |
| Wisconsin | $40,030 | $19.24 | +3.6% | 550 |
Data source: BLS OES state file · U.S. BLS OES, May 2024 (updated April 2025)
Related Occupations
- Retail Salespersons — $35,410/yr
- Fast Food and Counter Workers — $31,200/yr
- General and Operations Managers — $105,770/yr
- Registered Nurses — $97,550/yr
- Cashiers — $32,880/yr
- Laborers and Freight, Stock, and Material Movers, Hand — $40,240/yr
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the average salary for switchboard operators, including answering service?
The median annual wage for switchboard operators, including answering service is $38,630 ($18.57 per hour), according to the BLS OES survey for May 2024.
Which state pays switchboard operators, including answering service the most?
Wages vary by state. Use the state table above to compare median annual pay across all 50 states and Washington, D.C.
How many switchboard operators, including answering service are employed in the U.S.?
There are approximately 34,280 switchboard operators, including answering service employed nationally, per BLS OES.
How much do switchboard operators, including answering service make per hour?
The median hourly wage is $18.57. See the hourly salary page for the full percentile breakdown.