43
Switchboard Operators, Including Answering Service is a notable career in the 43 category. This page provides verified data from BLS OEWS 2024 + O*NET 29.0 (2024), helping you compare Switchboard Operators, Including Answering Service against similar careers and make data-driven decisions.
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| soc | 43-2011 |
| title | Switchboard Operators, Including Answering Service |
| onet code | 43-2011.00 |
| description | Operate telephone business systems equipment or switchboards to relay incoming, outgoing, and interoffice calls. May supply information to callers and record messages. |
| job zone | 2 |
| major group | 43 |
| tot emp | 35,730 |
| a mean | 42,130 |
| a median | 38,370 |
| a pct10 | 29,820 |
| a pct25 | 34,250 |
| a pct75 | 46,330 |
| a pct90 | 60,940 |
| h mean | 20 |
| h median | 18 |
The day-to-day work of a switchboard operators, including answering service typically centers on operate communication systems, such as telephone, switchboard, intercom, two-way radio, or public address. Every task listed below is classified as Core in O*NET — they collectively define the role. Task descriptions below are quoted from the U.S. Department of Labor's O*NET 29.0 occupation profile.
Workers in this occupation rely most on Active Listening, Speaking, and Social Perceptiveness. Across the top 6 skills, the average O*NET importance score is 3.42 out of 5 — moderately weighted for this role. Importance reflects how essential each skill is for adequate job performance.
Among working switchboard operators, including answering service, the most common entry qualification is a High School Diploma (88.5%). Bachelor's-degree-or-higher credentials are reported by 3% of incumbents. Most workers enter without a four-year degree, making this a relatively accessible career path.
Median annual pay is highest in Hawaii at $57,220 and lowest in Alabama at $31,450 — a 1.8× spread. The top five states (Hawaii, District of Columbia, California, Oregon, Minnesota) average $51,908. Figures reflect BLS OEWS May 2024 state-level wage estimates; percentiles shown are for full-time wage-earners in each state.
| State | Median | Mean | 10th % | 90th % | Employed |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Hawaii | $57,220 | $56,370 | $44,110 | $66,140 | 370 |
| District of Columbia | $55,140 | $57,210 | $44,210 | $69,680 | 200 |
| California | $49,460 | $54,710 | $36,290 | $79,730 | 7,170 |
| Oregon | $49,440 | $49,120 | $38,070 | $59,150 | 360 |
| Minnesota | $48,280 | $47,930 | $38,660 | $57,630 | 340 |
| Washington | $46,470 | $46,070 | $37,020 | $54,970 | 360 |
| New York | $45,030 | $49,450 | $36,250 | $78,470 | 2,070 |
| Colorado | $42,740 | $41,990 | $36,470 | $47,440 | 490 |
| Maine | $42,090 | $42,510 | $33,670 | $51,620 | 110 |
| Montana | $41,880 | $40,550 | $32,650 | $47,450 | 40 |
| Utah | $41,290 | $43,170 | $31,150 | $56,520 | 110 |
| New Hampshire | $40,860 | $41,250 | $34,880 | $48,200 | 150 |
| Massachusetts | $40,730 | $43,860 | $35,970 | $56,580 | 1,010 |
| Illinois | $40,230 | $43,080 | $33,860 | $55,140 | 1,830 |
| Wisconsin | $39,910 | $42,630 | $31,910 | $56,280 | 480 |
| Maryland | $39,750 | $40,760 | $31,200 | $50,090 | 530 |
| Vermont | $39,500 | $40,250 | $35,690 | $45,800 | 110 |
| Arizona | $39,030 | $39,820 | $35,730 | $45,690 | 560 |
| Rhode Island | $38,350 | $41,100 | $32,870 | $54,810 | 140 |
| Georgia | $38,080 | $37,690 | $29,420 | $44,040 | 680 |
| Michigan | $38,070 | $39,400 | $29,950 | $47,620 | 430 |
| Pennsylvania | $37,930 | $37,110 | $26,650 | $44,620 | 1,240 |
| New Jersey | $37,920 | $40,830 | $32,880 | $53,790 | 730 |
| Idaho | $37,650 | $35,010 | $21,330 | $45,400 | 70 |
| New Mexico | $37,430 | $39,310 | $30,360 | $49,230 | 220 |
| Nevada | $37,260 | $37,730 | $30,620 | $45,540 | 850 |
| Iowa | $37,160 | $37,970 | $28,600 | $45,690 | 260 |
| Delaware | $36,930 | $38,170 | $27,740 | $49,170 | 160 |
| Kansas | $36,900 | $36,350 | $30,040 | $44,600 | 180 |
| Nebraska | $36,880 | $39,160 | $31,430 | $54,430 | 220 |
| Alaska | $36,600 | $39,010 | $32,870 | $50,610 | 60 |
| Connecticut | $36,560 | $40,500 | $33,170 | $52,690 | 370 |
| Kentucky | $36,500 | $37,120 | $27,240 | $46,480 | 350 |
| Ohio | $36,490 | $36,560 | $28,960 | $43,700 | 800 |
| North Carolina | $36,190 | $36,650 | $29,180 | $44,830 | 740 |
| Missouri | $35,640 | $36,870 | $29,950 | $44,820 | 880 |
| Virginia | $35,540 | $35,480 | $27,100 | $41,980 | — |
| Louisiana | $35,260 | $36,210 | $27,270 | $45,080 | 870 |
| Oklahoma | $35,170 | $35,200 | $27,940 | $41,230 | 360 |
| Florida | $35,080 | $35,570 | $30,380 | $41,760 | 2,940 |
| Indiana | $34,720 | $36,300 | $26,520 | $54,020 | 500 |
| West Virginia | $34,600 | $33,840 | $24,830 | $44,060 | 150 |
| Arkansas | $33,680 | $34,670 | $27,960 | $40,710 | 290 |
| South Carolina | $33,640 | $34,460 | $29,070 | $40,120 | 630 |
| Tennessee | $33,280 | $32,970 | $24,590 | $40,320 | 870 |
| Texas | $31,780 | $33,240 | $24,860 | $44,640 | 2,860 |
| Mississippi | $31,560 | $32,270 | $24,040 | $39,660 | 300 |
| Alabama | $31,450 | $32,140 | $26,500 | $37,240 | 820 |
Recruiters and job boards use several alternate titles for switchboard operators, including answering service. Knowing these variants widens your job search — listings for Answering Service Telephone Operator or CBX Operator (Computerized Branch Exchange Operator) frequently describe the same role. The list below is a sample of the most common industry variants.
This data helps you understand how Switchboard Operators, Including Answering Service compares to others in the 43 category. Use it to make informed decisions based on verified data from BLS OEWS 2024 + O*NET 29.0.
careers with the closest data values to Switchboard Operators, Including Answering Service
The CertifyWize editorial team aggregates and verifies careers data from BLS OEWS 2024 + O*NET 29.0. Every statistic on this site is cross-referenced against the official source before publication, with quarterly re-verification cycles.
Read our full methodology or contact us with corrections.