How much does a switchboard operator make?
The median switchboard operator in the United States earns $38,630 per year, about $18.57 an hour. That is the midpoint of the profession: half of all switchboard operators earn more, and half earn less.
Source: BLS OEWS, May 2025. SOC code 43-2011.
Switchboard operator salary range
Pay for switchboard operators spans a wide band. The lowest paid 10 percent earn under $29,990 a year, while the highest paid 10 percent take home more than $59,470. The average (mean) wage of $42,300 runs a bit higher than the median, which is normal for jobs where a group of top earners pulls the average up.
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile | $29,990 | $14.42 | Lowest paid |
| 25th percentile | $34,820 | $16.74 | |
| Median (50th) | $38,630 | $18.57 | Midpoint |
| 75th percentile | $46,530 | $22.37 | |
| 90th percentile | $59,470 | $28.59 | Highest paid |
Figures are national wage estimates for switchboard operators, including answering service (SOC 43-2011), U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, OEWS, May 2025.
Switchboard operator salary by state
Where you work changes the paycheck. Switchboard operators earn the most in Hawaii at $59,860 a year, and the least in Mississippi at $30,520. The table below lists every state with published data, ranked by median annual salary.
| State | Median annual | Employed |
|---|---|---|
| Hawaii | $59,860 | 410 |
| District of Columbia | $54,700 | 230 |
| California | $48,840 | 6,680 |
| Washington | $47,800 | 430 |
| Minnesota | $47,430 | 200 |
| New York | $45,330 | 1,760 |
| New Hampshire | $44,210 | 100 |
| Massachusetts | $43,790 | 830 |
| Colorado | $43,720 | 320 |
| Maine | $43,350 | 100 |
| Illinois | $42,660 | 1,240 |
| Vermont | $42,630 | 70 |
| New Jersey | $40,430 | 660 |
| Arizona | $40,380 | 380 |
| Wisconsin | $40,030 | 550 |
| Rhode Island | $39,850 | 130 |
| Georgia | $39,490 | 780 |
| Kansas | $38,760 | 180 |
| North Carolina | $38,520 | 690 |
| Iowa | $38,400 | 210 |
| Connecticut | $38,380 | 180 |
| Nevada | $38,070 | 650 |
| Idaho | $38,000 | 70 |
| New Mexico | $37,710 | 220 |
| Alaska | $37,690 | N/A |
| Kentucky | $37,590 | 370 |
| Nebraska | $37,570 | 180 |
| West Virginia | $37,430 | 110 |
| Michigan | $37,390 | 370 |
| Missouri | $37,130 | 640 |
| Maryland | $37,080 | 650 |
| Pennsylvania | $36,890 | 1,350 |
| Indiana | $36,860 | 380 |
| Virginia | $36,730 | 610 |
| Ohio | $36,350 | 990 |
| Montana | $36,270 | 110 |
| Delaware | $35,980 | 180 |
| Louisiana | $35,890 | N/A |
| Tennessee | $35,550 | 680 |
| Florida | $35,410 | 3,090 |
| Arkansas | $35,290 | 260 |
| Oklahoma | $35,280 | 480 |
| South Carolina | $34,010 | 480 |
| Texas | $33,620 | 3,640 |
| Alabama | $32,210 | 680 |
| Mississippi | $30,520 | 200 |
State median wages for switchboard operators, including answering service (SOC 43-2011), U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, OEWS state files, May 2025. States where the BLS does not publish a median are not shown.
Job outlook for switchboard operators
The BLS projects employment of switchboard operators to shrink from 2025 to 2035 (down 26%). That is a decline, against 3.5% average growth for all occupations. That works out to roughly 35,400 jobs in 2025 moving toward 26,200 by 2035.
Across the decade, the BLS expects about 3,100 openings a year for switchboard operators. Most come from the need to replace workers who move to other jobs or leave the workforce, on top of any new positions from growth.
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Employment Projections program, 2025-35 (Table 1.2, Occupational projections and worker characteristics).
How to become a switchboard operator
The typical entry-level education for switchboard operators is a high school diploma or equivalent, according to the BLS. New hires typically complete short-term on-the-job training to reach full competency.
A four-year college degree is usually not required to start, which makes this one of the jobs you can enter without a bachelor's degree. See more high paying jobs without a degree .
Education, training, and experience data: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Employment Projections program.
What affects how much a switchboard operator earns
Employer, industry, seniority, and metro area drive pay. Large organizations and high cost cities pay above small offices and entry-level roles.
Location is one of the clearest factors. The gap between the top paying state (Hawaii, $59,860) and the lowest (Mississippi, $30,520) shows how much geography alone can move the number, before experience or specialization.
About 34,280 people work as switchboard operators in the United States. At $38,630 a year, the job pays below the $50,980 median for all U.S. jobs.
Switchboard operator salary FAQ
How much does a switchboard operator make an hour?
The median hourly wage for a switchboard operator is $18.57. The middle half of switchboard operators earn between $16.74 and $22.37 per hour.
What is the highest switchboard operator salary?
The highest paid 10 percent of switchboard operators earn more than $59,470 per year. Top earners usually have the most experience and work in the best paying regions and industries.
How much does a switchboard operator make a year?
The median annual salary for a switchboard operator is $38,630. The average (mean) wage of $42,300 runs a bit higher than the median, which is normal for jobs where a group of top earners pulls the average up.
Is being a switchboard operator a well paid job?
At $38,630 a year, a switchboard operator earns below the $50,980 median for all U.S. jobs. About 34,280 people work as switchboard operators in the United States.
Which state pays switchboard operators the most?
Hawaii has the highest median salary for switchboard operators at $59,860 a year. District of Columbia ($54,700) and California ($48,840) follow. State medians come from the BLS OEWS state files, May 2025.
Is being a switchboard operator a good career?
Employment of switchboard operators is projected to shrink 26% from 2025 to 2035, a decline, against 3.5% average growth for all occupations. The BLS projects about 3,100 openings each year, from growth and from workers leaving the occupation.
Do you need a degree to become a switchboard operator?
No. The BLS lists the typical entry-level education for switchboard operators as a high school diploma or equivalent, so a four-year degree is usually not required to start.
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