SOC 43-2011 · Office and Administrative Support Occupations

Switchboard Operators, Including Answering Service

Source: BLS OEWS, May 2025United States, all industries

U.S. median annual wage$38,630

U.S. median hourly wage$18.57

U.S. employment34,280

Nationally, switchboard operators, including answering service earned a median of $38,630 per year as of the May 2025 OEWS estimates, across 34,280 jobs. Pay varies substantially by area — look up a specific state or metro below.

National pay distribution

Pay by state

Every state and territory with a published May 2025 estimate. “Not published” means BLS suppressed the value — it never means zero. Higher medians often track higher living costs; this is not a ranking of where the job is “best”.

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Switchboard Operators, Including Answering Service: pay and employment by state
State
Hawaii	$59,860	$28.78	410	0.7
District of Columbia	$54,700	$26.30	230	0.3
California	$48,840	$23.48	6,680	0.4
Washington	$47,800	$22.98	430	0.1
Minnesota	$47,430	$22.80	200	0.1
New York	$45,330	$21.79	1,760	0.2
New Hampshire	$44,210	$21.26	100	0.2
Massachusetts	$43,790	$21.05	830	0.2
Colorado	$43,720	$21.02	320	0.1
Maine	$43,350	$20.84	100	0.2
Illinois	$42,660	$20.51	1,240	0.2
Vermont	$42,630	$20.50	70	0.2
New Jersey	$40,430	$19.44	660	0.2
Arizona	$40,380	$19.42	380	0.1
Wisconsin	$40,030	$19.24	550	0.2
Rhode Island	$39,850	$19.16	130	0.3
Georgia	$39,490	$18.99	780	0.2
Kansas	$38,760	$18.64	180	0.1
North Carolina	$38,520	$18.52	690	0.1
Iowa	$38,400	$18.46	210	0.1
Connecticut	$38,380	$18.45	180	0.1
Nevada	$38,070	$18.30	650	0.4
Idaho	$38,000	$18.27	70	0.1
New Mexico	$37,710	$18.13	220	0.3
Alaska	$37,690	$18.12	Not published	Not published
Kentucky	$37,590	$18.07	370	0.2
Nebraska	$37,570	$18.06	180	0.2
West Virginia	$37,430	$18.00	110	0.2
Michigan	$37,390	$17.98	370	0.1
Missouri	$37,130	$17.85	640	0.2
Maryland	$37,080	$17.83	650	0.2
Pennsylvania	$36,890	$17.74	1,350	0.2
Indiana	$36,860	$17.72	380	0.1
Virginia	$36,730	$17.66	610	0.1
Ohio	$36,350	$17.48	990	0.2
Montana	$36,270	$17.44	110	0.2
Delaware	$35,980	$17.30	180	0.4
Louisiana	$35,890	$17.26	Not published	Not published
Tennessee	$35,550	$17.09	680	0.2
Florida	$35,410	$17.03	3,090	0.3
Arkansas	$35,290	$16.96	260	0.2
Oklahoma	$35,280	$16.96	480	0.3
South Carolina	$34,010	$16.35	480	0.2
Texas	$33,620	$16.16	3,640	0.3
Alabama	$32,210	$15.48	680	0.3
Mississippi	$30,520	$14.68	200	0.2
Puerto Rico	$24,960	$12.00	560	0.6
Utah	Not published	Not published	50	0.0

Pay by metro area

All 144 metro areas where BLS publishes this occupation. Sort by median wage, employment, or local concentration — or see the highest-paying metros ranked.

Each dot is one metro area with a published median — hover any dot for the name and figure. Metros without published estimates are not drawn.

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Switchboard Operators, Including Answering Service: pay and employment by metro area
Metro area
San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA	$79,260	$38.11	440	0.4
Urban Honolulu, HI	$63,190	$30.38	240	0.5
San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont, CA	$61,780	$29.70	700	0.3
Kahului-Wailuku, HI	$60,420	$29.05	70	1.0
Stockton-Lodi, CA	$59,360	$28.54	170	0.6
Barnstable Town, MA	$57,030	$27.42	40	0.4
Minneapolis-St. Paul-Bloomington, MN-WI	$51,950	$24.98	110	0.1
Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA	$50,470	$24.26	190	0.1
Oxnard-Thousand Oaks-Ventura, CA	$49,840	$23.96	60	0.2
Napa, CA	$49,460	$23.78	50	0.6
Bend, OR	$48,880	$23.50	40	0.4
Salinas, CA	$48,840	$23.48	90	0.5
Sacramento-Roseville-Folsom, CA	$47,380	$22.78	420	0.4
New York-Newark-Jersey City, NY-NJ	$47,350	$22.76	1,470	0.2
Santa Rosa-Petaluma, CA	$46,330	$22.28	90	0.4
Spokane-Spokane Valley, WA	$46,160	$22.19	90	0.4
San Diego-Chula Vista-Carlsbad, CA	$46,080	$22.16	570	0.4
Los Angeles-Long Beach-Anaheim, CA	$45,870	$22.05	2,110	0.3
Boston-Cambridge-Newton, MA-NH	$45,760	$22.00	540	0.2
Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV	$45,750	$21.99	580	0.2
Denver-Aurora-Centennial, CO	$44,980	$21.63	150	0.1
Santa Maria-Santa Barbara, CA	$44,680	$21.48	80	0.4
Fresno, CA	$44,590	$21.44	150	0.3
Kiryas Joel-Poughkeepsie-Newburgh, NY	$44,550	$21.42	70	0.3
Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN	$44,540	$21.41	860	0.2
Syracuse, NY	$44,510	$21.40	90	0.3
Visalia, CA	$44,330	$21.31	40	0.2
Modesto, CA	$44,320	$21.31	70	0.4
Manchester-Nashua, NH	$44,210	$21.26	40	0.2
Merced, CA	$44,190	$21.24	50	0.6
Riverside-San Bernardino-Ontario, CA	$44,130	$21.22	500	0.3
Worcester, MA	$44,050	$21.18	70	0.2
Hartford-West Hartford-East Hartford, CT	$43,500	$20.91	80	0.1
Reading, PA	$42,900	$20.63	30	0.2
Bakersfield-Delano, CA	$42,710	$20.54	140	0.4
Charlotte-Concord-Gastonia, NC-SC	$42,320	$20.34	160	0.1
Milwaukee-Waukesha, WI	$42,190	$20.28	210	0.3
Dover, DE	$41,900	$20.14	40	0.6
Kansas City, MO-KS	$41,470	$19.94	200	0.2
Binghamton, NY	$41,420	$19.91	40	0.4
Harrisburg-Carlisle, PA	$41,360	$19.89	60	0.2
Buffalo-Cheektowaga, NY	$41,330	$19.87	170	0.3
Greensboro-High Point, NC	$41,130	$19.77	90	0.2
Des Moines-West Des Moines, IA	$41,100	$19.76	30	0.1
Madison, WI	$40,630	$19.53	90	0.2
Asheville, NC	$40,590	$19.52	50	0.3
Phoenix-Mesa-Chandler, AZ	$40,540	$19.49	230	0.1
Atlanta-Sandy Springs-Roswell, GA	$39,930	$19.20	280	0.1
Pittsburgh, PA	$39,910	$19.19	210	0.2
Dayton-Kettering-Beavercreek, OH	$39,870	$19.17	60	0.2
Rockford, IL	$39,660	$19.07	40	0.3
Colorado Springs, CO	$39,650	$19.06	80	0.2
Albuquerque, NM	$39,640	$19.06	80	0.2
Albany-Schenectady-Troy, NY	$39,630	$19.05	90	0.2
Winston-Salem, NC	$39,490	$18.99	60	0.2
Springfield, IL	$39,450	$18.96	50	0.5
Lancaster, PA	$39,290	$18.89	40	0.2
Wichita, KS	$39,200	$18.85	50	0.2
Louisville/Jefferson County, KY-IN	$39,020	$18.76	110	0.2
Medford, OR	$38,750	$18.63	40	0.5
Baton Rouge, LA	$38,540	$18.53	180	0.4
Bloomington, IL	$38,480	$18.50	30	0.3
Philadelphia-Camden-Wilmington, PA-NJ-DE-MD	$38,410	$18.47	590	0.2
Peoria, IL	$38,380	$18.45	40	0.3
Providence-Warwick, RI-MA	$38,370	$18.45	250	0.3
Omaha, NE-IA	$38,300	$18.41	70	0.1
Las Vegas-Henderson-North Las Vegas, NV	$38,190	$18.36	560	0.5
Lexington-Fayette, KY	$38,150	$18.34	80	0.3
Green Bay, WI	$38,110	$18.32	70	0.4
Springfield, MA	$38,080	$18.31	60	0.3
Alexandria, LA	$37,990	$18.26	50	0.8
Greenville, NC	$37,990	$18.27	40	0.5
Indianapolis-Carmel-Greenwood, IN	$37,980	$18.26	110	0.1
Tucson, AZ	$37,970	$18.26	80	0.2
St. Louis, MO-IL	$37,870	$18.21	310	0.2
Huntington-Ashland, WV-KY-OH	$37,840	$18.19	50	0.3
Rochester, NY	$37,720	$18.14	70	0.2
Anchorage, AK	$37,690	$18.12	30	0.2
Cincinnati, OH-KY-IN	$37,690	$18.12	120	0.1
New Haven, CT	$37,650	$18.10	50	0.2
Hammond, LA	$37,480	$18.02	40	0.8
Detroit-Warren-Dearborn, MI	$37,470	$18.02	110	0.1
Cleveland, OH	$37,460	$18.01	220	0.2
Reno, NV	$37,380	$17.97	70	0.2
New Orleans-Metairie, LA	$37,120	$17.85	230	0.5
Slidell-Mandeville-Covington, LA	$37,110	$17.84	80	0.8
Nashville-Davidson--Murfreesboro--Franklin, TN	$37,050	$17.81	240	0.2
Kalamazoo-Portage, MI	$37,040	$17.81	40	0.3
Shreveport-Bossier City, LA	$37,020	$17.80	120	0.7
Springfield, MO	$37,020	$17.80	40	0.2
Charleston-North Charleston, SC	$36,890	$17.74	100	0.3
Lincoln, NE	$36,830	$17.71	70	0.4
Orlando-Kissimmee-Sanford, FL	$36,830	$17.71	400	0.3
North Port-Bradenton-Sarasota, FL	$36,770	$17.68	90	0.3
Richmond, VA	$36,740	$17.66	150	0.2
Lakeland-Winter Haven, FL	$36,570	$17.58	90	0.3
Austin-Round Rock-San Marcos, TX	$36,550	$17.57	250	0.2
Jacksonville, FL	$36,490	$17.54	180	0.2
Akron, OH	$36,350	$17.48	80	0.3
Baltimore-Columbia-Towson, MD	$36,260	$17.43	340	0.2
Virginia Beach-Chesapeake-Norfolk, VA-NC	$36,180	$17.39	160	0.2
Tulsa, OK	$36,050	$17.33	150	0.3
Lafayette, LA	$35,890	$17.26	130	0.7
Deltona-Daytona Beach-Ormond Beach, FL	$35,830	$17.23	70	0.3
Tampa-St. Petersburg-Clearwater, FL	$35,830	$17.23	350	0.2
Pensacola-Ferry Pass-Brent, FL	$35,820	$17.22	40	0.2
Chattanooga, TN-GA	$35,770	$17.20	40	0.2
Greenville-Anderson-Greer, SC	$35,760	$17.19	60	0.1
Little Rock-North Little Rock-Conway, AR	$35,650	$17.14	90	0.2
Dallas-Fort Worth-Arlington, TX	$35,390	$17.02	1,200	0.3
Knoxville, TN	$35,360	$17.00	70	0.2
Cape Coral-Fort Myers, FL	$35,290	$16.97	90	0.3
Columbus, OH	$35,170	$16.91	250	0.2
Ocala, FL	$35,100	$16.88	40	0.3
Miami-Fort Lauderdale-West Palm Beach, FL	$35,080	$16.86	1,270	0.5
Monroe, LA	$35,070	$16.86	40	0.5
Memphis, TN-MS-AR	$34,940	$16.80	110	0.2
Scranton--Wilkes-Barre, PA	$34,920	$16.79	40	0.1
Oklahoma City, OK	$34,860	$16.76	150	0.2
Myrtle Beach-Conway-North Myrtle Beach, SC	$34,560	$16.61	30	0.2
Houston-Pasadena-The Woodlands, TX	$34,330	$16.51	740	0.2
Huntsville, AL	$34,300	$16.49	60	0.2
Columbia, MO	$34,060	$16.38	40	0.4
Birmingham, AL	$33,690	$16.20	180	0.3
San Antonio-New Braunfels, TX	$33,320	$16.02	290	0.3
Palm Bay-Melbourne-Titusville, FL	$33,310	$16.01	40	0.2
Columbia, SC	$32,890	$15.81	40	0.1
Jackson, MS	$32,320	$15.54	40	0.2
Tuscaloosa, AL	$32,210	$15.48	40	0.3
McAllen-Edinburg-Mission, TX	$32,170	$15.47	40	0.1
Montgomery, AL	$32,130	$15.45	60	0.4
Mobile, AL	$30,970	$14.89	110	0.6
Columbus, GA-AL	$30,880	$14.85	30	0.3
Daphne-Fairhope-Foley, AL	$30,160	$14.50	30	0.3
Killeen-Temple, TX	$29,570	$14.22	50	0.4
Corpus Christi, TX	$29,380	$14.13	100	0.5
Lubbock, TX	$29,180	$14.03	70	0.4
Beaumont-Port Arthur, TX	$28,850	$13.87	60	0.4
Brownsville-Harlingen, TX	$28,760	$13.83	40	0.2
Gulfport-Biloxi, MS	$28,430	$13.67	30	0.2
San Juan-Bayamon-Caguas, PR	$27,540	$13.24	480	0.7
El Paso, TX	$27,510	$13.22	70	0.2
College Station-Bryan, TX	Not published	Not published	50	0.4
Salt Lake City-Murray, UT	Not published	Not published	30	0.0

About this data. Estimates are from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics program, May 2025 release, retrieved from bls.gov/oes/tables.htm on July 24, 2026. OEWS estimates describe metropolitan/nonmetropolitan areas and states — not city limits — and are not designed for year-over-year comparisons. See BLS methodology, our plain-English methodology, and sources. CitySalaryData is independent and not affiliated with BLS.