Switchboard operators, including answering service
May 2005 employment and annual earnings distribution, wage and salary workers
Switchboard Operators, Including Answering Service: Operate telephone business systems equipment or switchboards to relay incoming, outgoing, and interoffice calls. May supply information to callers and record messages.
Communications equipment operators held about 256,000 jobs in 2004. About 4 out of 5 worked as switchboard operators. Employment was distributed as follows:
| Switchboard operators, including answering service | 213,000 |
| Telephone operators | 39,000 |
| All other communications equipment operators | 4,200 |
Switchboard operators work in almost all industries, but are concentrated in telephone call centers, hospitals, and hotels. Many work as temporary employees in the employment services industry.
Median hourly earnings of switchboard operators, including answering service, were $10.38 in May 2004. The middle 50 percent earned between $8.69 and $12.64. The lowest 10 percent earned less than $7.35, and the highest 10 percent earned more than $15.13. Median hourly earnings in the industries employing the largest numbers of switchboard operators in May 2004 are:
| Offices of physicians | $10.54 |
| General medical and surgical hospitals | 10.47 |
| Traveler accommodation | 10.25 |
| Automobile dealers | 9.60 |
| Business support services | 8.91 |
Median hourly earnings of telephone operators in May 2004 were $13.65. The middle 50 percent earned between $10.28 and $19.32. The lowest 10 percent earned less than $8.91, and the highest 10 percent earned more than $21.32.
Some telephone operators working at telephone companies are members of the Communications Workers of America or the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers. For these operators, union contracts govern wage rates, wage increases, and the time required to advance from one pay step to the next. It normally takes 4 years to rise from the lowest paying nonsupervisory operator position to the highest. Contracts call for extra pay for work beyond the normal 6-1/2 to 7-1/2 hours a day or 5 days a week, for Sunday and holiday work, and for bilingual positions. A pay differential also is guaranteed for night work and split shifts. Many contracts provide for a 1-week vacation after 6 months of service, 2 weeks after 1 year, 3 weeks after 7 years, 4 weeks after 15 years, and 5 weeks after 25 years. Holidays range from 9 to 11 days a year.
Median hourly earnings of communication equipment operators, all other, in May 2004 were $15.23. The middle 50 percent earned between $12.27 and $18.99. The lowest 10 percent earned less than $10.23, and the highest 10 percent earned more than $22.70.
(from the Occupational Outlook Handbook: Communications Equipment Operators)
See more recent statistics for employed workers below.
May 2005 employment and annual earnings distribution, wage and salary workers
National Occupational Employment and Earnings by Industry (NAICS sector and 3-digit industry group)
| Switchboard operators, including answering service | |||||
| Percentile earnings distribution | |||||
| 10th | 25th | 50th | 75th | 90th | |
| Utilities employment: 270 mean earnings: $28,650 (EC) (def) (IG) | $16,630 | $20,320 | $26,490 | $33,510 | $43,300 |
| Utilities employment: 270 mean earnings: $28,650 | $16,630 | $20,320 | $26,490 | $33,510 | $43,300 |
| Construction employment: 1,020 mean earnings: $22,670 (EC) (def) (IG) | $15,270 | $18,490 | $21,890 | $26,830 | $31,940 |
| Construction of Buildings employment: 840 mean earnings: $22,580 | $15,190 | $18,400 | $21,850 | $26,810 | $31,760 |
| Heavy and Civil Engineering Construction employment: 70 mean earnings: $21,640 | $15,750 | $18,670 | $20,970 | $23,540 | $29,290 |
| Specialty Trade Contractors employment: 110 mean earnings: $24,080 | $15,570 | $19,030 | $23,330 | $28,150 | $34,460 |
| Manufacturing employment: 3,970 mean earnings: $24,370 (EC) (def) (IG) | $17,260 | $19,950 | $23,460 | $28,050 | $33,680 |
| Food Manufacturing employment: 160 mean earnings: $25,300 | $16,180 | $19,690 | $24,070 | $29,410 | $38,830 |
| Textile Mills employment: 240 mean earnings: $24,630 | $18,490 | $20,470 | $23,840 | $27,640 | $32,970 |
| Apparel Manufacturing employment: 290 mean earnings: $23,820 | $16,100 | $19,000 | $22,450 | $27,450 | $34,590 |
| Wood Product Manufacturing employment: 40 mean earnings: $22,940 | $18,200 | $19,880 | $22,340 | $26,190 | $28,860 |
| Paper Manufacturing employment: 50 mean earnings: $27,890 | $18,630 | $21,050 | $26,080 | $34,470 | $41,420 |
| Printing and Related Support Activities employment: 1,320 mean earnings: $24,410 | $18,050 | $20,290 | $23,810 | $28,010 | $32,950 |
| Chemical Manufacturing employment: 100 mean earnings: $25,060 | $16,360 | $20,260 | $24,670 | $29,900 | $35,170 |
| Plastics and Rubber Products Manufacturing employment: 40 mean earnings: $23,950 | $17,170 | $20,290 | $24,130 | $27,510 | $31,320 |
| Primary Metal Manufacturing employment: 50 mean earnings: $27,900 | $19,140 | $21,900 | $26,240 | $33,250 | $41,030 |
| Fabricated Metal Product Manufacturing employment: n.a. mean earnings: $24,720 | $16,140 | $19,380 | $23,130 | $28,760 | $37,070 |
| Machinery Manufacturing employment: n.a. mean earnings: $21,430 | $13,910 | $18,140 | $21,170 | $24,710 | $29,030 |
| Computer and Electronic Product Manufacturing employment: 190 mean earnings: $25,840 | $19,040 | $21,160 | $24,910 | $29,380 | $34,760 |
| Electrical Equipment, Appliance, and Component Manufacturing employment: 80 mean earnings: $26,350 | $16,550 | $20,240 | $24,910 | $32,650 | $38,930 |
| Transportation Equipment Manufacturing employment: 100 mean earnings: $24,480 | $17,370 | $20,120 | $23,730 | $27,930 | $32,820 |
| Furniture and Related Product Manufacturing employment: 730 mean earnings: $22,830 | $16,100 | $19,000 | $22,120 | $26,640 | $31,190 |
| Miscellaneous Manufacturing employment: 320 mean earnings: $25,860 | $18,770 | $21,110 | $24,930 | $29,330 | $35,630 |
| Wholesale Trade employment: 5,430 mean earnings: $24,690 (EC) (def) (IG) | $17,330 | $20,260 | $24,060 | $28,240 | $33,850 |
| Merchant Wholesalers, Durable Goods employment: 3,610 mean earnings: $24,740 | $17,660 | $20,380 | $24,150 | $28,400 | $33,930 |
| Merchant Wholesalers, Nondurable Goods employment: 1,210 mean earnings: $24,790 | $16,320 | $19,840 | $23,990 | $28,180 | $34,690 |
| Wholesale Electronic Markets and Agents and Brokers employment: 600 mean earnings: $24,130 | $17,900 | $20,250 | $23,640 | $27,530 | $31,180 |
| Retail Trade employment: 22,940 mean earnings: $21,110 (EC) (def) (IG) | $14,760 | $17,040 | $20,440 | $24,340 | $28,710 |
| Motor Vehicle and Parts Dealers employment: 15,170 mean earnings: $21,100 | $14,450 | $16,950 | $20,420 | $24,380 | $28,960 |
| Furniture and Home Furnishings Stores employment: 950 mean earnings: $21,920 | $14,790 | $17,520 | $21,110 | $25,740 | $30,780 |
| Electronics and Appliance Stores employment: 490 mean earnings: $22,480 | $15,910 | $18,080 | $21,370 | $26,150 | $30,680 |
| Building Material and Garden Equipment and Supplies Dealers employment: 1,370 mean earnings: $22,110 | $16,020 | $18,670 | $21,510 | $25,440 | $28,640 |
| Food and Beverage Stores employment: 490 mean earnings: $18,730 | $15,160 | $16,150 | $17,800 | $20,910 | $24,090 |
| Health and Personal Care Stores employment: 530 mean earnings: $19,930 | $14,710 | $15,820 | $17,630 | $23,440 | $28,480 |
| Gasoline Stations employment: n.a. mean earnings: $21,910 | $16,310 | $19,140 | $22,510 | $25,260 | $27,000 |
| Clothing and Clothing Accessories Stores employment: 330 mean earnings: $23,420 | $15,730 | $18,550 | $22,690 | $27,810 | $32,970 |
| Sporting Goods, Hobby, Book, and Music Stores employment: 430 mean earnings: $21,090 | $15,830 | $18,020 | $20,620 | $22,920 | $27,000 |
| Miscellaneous Store Retailers employment: 480 mean earnings: $18,340 | $12,730 | $14,480 | $17,350 | $21,600 | $25,910 |
| Nonstore Retailers employment: 180 mean earnings: $24,200 | $16,920 | $19,740 | $23,260 | $27,670 | $33,530 |
| Transportation and Warehousing employment: 2,220 mean earnings: $22,590 (EC) (def) (IG) | $15,320 | $18,230 | $21,750 | $26,470 | $31,440 |
| Truck Transportation employment: 460 mean earnings: $24,050 | $16,120 | $19,520 | $22,950 | $28,170 | $34,260 |
| Transit and Ground Passenger Transportation employment: 1,010 mean earnings: $21,310 | $14,700 | $16,750 | $20,700 | $25,200 | $28,980 |
| Support Activities for Transportation employment: 40 mean earnings: $19,590 | $13,700 | $16,920 | $19,690 | $22,020 | $25,670 |
| Warehousing and Storage employment: 630 mean earnings: $23,040 | $16,550 | $19,160 | $21,770 | $26,550 | $32,070 |
| Information employment: 6,450 mean earnings: $24,620 (EC) (def) (IG) | $15,710 | $19,380 | $23,900 | $28,860 | $34,970 |
| Publishing Industries (except Internet) employment: 1,870 mean earnings: $24,680 | $16,490 | $19,740 | $23,660 | $28,660 | $34,990 |
| Motion Picture and Sound Recording Industries employment: 330 mean earnings: $21,880 | $12,770 | $14,620 | $21,150 | $27,480 | $33,460 |
| Broadcasting (except Internet) employment: 520 mean earnings: $23,770 | $15,080 | $18,800 | $22,560 | $28,210 | $34,330 |
| Internet Publishing and Broadcasting employment: n.a. mean earnings: $24,620 | $17,960 | $20,140 | $23,180 | $27,480 | $33,410 |
| Telecommunications employment: 3,000 mean earnings: $25,310 | $16,160 | $19,780 | $24,920 | $29,460 | $35,380 |
| Internet Service Providers, Web Search Portals, and Data Processing Service employment: 530 mean earnings: $24,790 | $18,610 | $20,420 | $23,200 | $28,220 | $34,600 |
| Finance and Insurance employment: 15,370 mean earnings: $24,720 (EC) (def) (IG) | $17,230 | $19,970 | $23,730 | $28,330 | $34,550 |
| Credit Intermediation and Related Activities employment: 6,970 mean earnings: $23,110 | $16,210 | $19,080 | $22,010 | $26,550 | $31,860 |
| Securities, Commodity Contracts, and Other Financial Investments and Related Activities employment: 1,380 mean earnings: $28,570 | $19,090 | $22,530 | $26,950 | $34,100 | $41,880 |
| Insurance Carriers and Related Activities employment: 6,760 mean earnings: $25,460 | $18,100 | $20,780 | $24,870 | $29,320 | $34,810 |
| Funds, Trusts, and Other Financial Vehicles employment: 250 mean earnings: $28,340 | $20,220 | $23,810 | $27,560 | $32,870 | $37,060 |
| Real Estate and Rental and Leasing employment: 5,070 mean earnings: $24,140 (EC) (def) (IG) | $17,110 | $19,680 | $22,950 | $27,960 | $33,710 |
| Real Estate employment: 4,930 mean earnings: $24,120 | $17,080 | $19,660 | $22,900 | $27,960 | $33,720 |
| Rental and Leasing Services employment: 50 mean earnings: $24,410 | $18,300 | $21,040 | $24,430 | $27,360 | $32,300 |
| Lessors of Nonfinancial Intangible Assets (except Copyrighted Works) employment: 90 mean earnings: $25,030 | $18,300 | $20,850 | $24,670 | $28,380 | $33,760 |
| Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services employment: 8,310 mean earnings: $26,760 (EC) (def) (IG) | $17,960 | $21,200 | $25,830 | $31,300 | $37,240 |
| Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services employment: 8,310 mean earnings: $26,760 | $17,960 | $21,200 | $25,830 | $31,300 | $37,240 |
| Management of Companies and Enterprises employment: 4,200 mean earnings: $24,720 (EC) (def) (IG) | $17,130 | $20,040 | $23,850 | $28,020 | $34,150 |
| Management of Companies and Enterprises employment: 4,200 mean earnings: $24,720 | $17,130 | $20,040 | $23,850 | $28,020 | $34,150 |
| Administrative and Support and Waste Management and Remediation Services employment: 37,160 mean earnings: $20,860 (EC) (def) (IG) | $14,400 | $16,850 | $20,240 | $23,790 | $28,490 |
| Administrative and Support Services employment: 37,140 mean earnings: $20,860 | $14,390 | $16,850 | $20,240 | $23,790 | $28,480 |
| Educational Services employment: 2,750 mean earnings: $24,650 (EC) (def) (IG) | $16,020 | $19,400 | $23,670 | $28,440 | $34,800 |
| Educational Services employment: 2,750 mean earnings: $24,650 | $16,020 | $19,400 | $23,670 | $28,440 | $34,800 |
| Health Care and Social Assistance employment: 53,140 mean earnings: $22,840 (EC) (def) (IG) | $16,110 | $19,030 | $22,210 | $26,470 | $30,420 |
| Ambulatory Health Care Services employment: 17,780 mean earnings: $23,250 | $16,920 | $19,670 | $22,880 | $26,690 | $29,900 |
| Hospitals employment: 26,030 mean earnings: $23,110 | $16,240 | $19,120 | $22,280 | $26,800 | $31,590 |
| Nursing and Residential Care Facilities employment: 6,380 mean earnings: $21,240 | $15,100 | $17,370 | $20,620 | $24,400 | $28,730 |
| Social Assistance employment: 2,960 mean earnings: $21,520 | $15,250 | $17,760 | $21,010 | $24,940 | $28,450 |
| Arts, Entertainment, and Recreation employment: 3,300 mean earnings: $22,010 (EC) (def) (IG) | $14,880 | $17,480 | $21,140 | $25,980 | $31,100 |
| Performing Arts, Spectator Sports, and Related Industries employment: 770 mean earnings: $22,750 | $14,740 | $18,370 | $21,950 | $27,050 | $32,760 |
| Museums, Historical Sites, and Similar Institutions employment: 250 mean earnings: $21,920 | $15,390 | $17,360 | $20,790 | $25,690 | $30,890 |
| Amusement, Gambling, and Recreation Industries employment: 2,280 mean earnings: $21,770 | $14,840 | $17,280 | $20,910 | $25,600 | $30,220 |
| Accomodation and Food Service employment: 11,090 mean earnings: $23,220 (EC) (def) (IG) | $15,670 | $18,380 | $21,890 | $27,480 | $33,690 |
| Accommodation employment: 10,520 mean earnings: $23,190 | $15,760 | $18,400 | $21,860 | $27,390 | $33,550 |
| Food Services and Drinking Places employment: n.a. mean earnings: $23,780 | $13,440 | $17,780 | $22,690 | $29,280 | $36,150 |
| Other Services (except Public Administration) employment: 4,110 mean earnings: $23,680 (EC) (def) (IG) | $14,610 | $18,050 | $22,400 | $28,450 | $34,680 |
| Personal and Laundry Services employment: 990 mean earnings: $20,880 | $13,320 | $15,430 | $20,150 | $24,190 | $29,950 |
| Religious, Grantmaking, Civic, Professional, and Similar Organizations employment: 3,100 mean earnings: $24,560 | $15,330 | $18,740 | $23,440 | $29,460 | $35,250 |
| Federal, State, and Local Government (OES Designation) employment: 8,160 mean earnings: $27,010 (def) (IG) | $17,710 | $21,410 | $26,300 | $32,000 | $37,200 |
| Federal, State, and Local Government (OES Designation) employment: 8,160 mean earnings: $27,010 | $17,710 | $21,410 | $26,300 | $32,000 | $37,200 |
source: Occupational Employment Statistics Program; about these estimates
The (EC) links lead to data from the Economic Census from the Census Bureau.
The (def) links lead to 2002 NAICS industry definitions from the Census Bureau.
The (IG) links lead to Industry at a Glance industry profiles from the Bureau of Labor Statistics.