Switchboard Operators, Including Answering Service Salary
Salary data across 60 metro areas in the US & CanadaUSD & CAD
Search Jobs on IndeedAvg Median Salary
$35,817
Highest Paying City
San Jose
$52,000
Cities Tracked
60
What Do Switchboard Operators, Including Answering Service Do?
Switchboard Operators, Including Answering Service provide the administrative backbone of organizations, handling correspondence, scheduling, data entry, and customer interactions that keep business operations on track.
Most work in comfortable office settings during standard business hours. Some positions may require overtime during busy periods. Customer-facing roles involve regular phone and in-person interactions.
Key Skills for Switchboard Operators, Including Answering Service
Customer ServiceFilingSchedulingAttention to DetailMultitaskingRecord Keeping
Education Requirements
High school diploma; associate's degree or certifications for specialized roles
Many positions require a high school diploma with on-the-job training. Specialized roles like medical or legal secretaries may require postsecondary education or certification in their respective fields.
Career Outlook
Employment is projected to grow slower than average overall, though some specialized roles like medical secretaries continue to see strong demand.
How to Increase Your Switchboard Operators, Including Answering Service Salary
- 1.Develop strong organizational and time management skills
- 2.Pursue certifications such as the Certified Administrative Professional (CAP)
- 3.Specialize in a high-demand area like medical or legal administration
- 4.Develop bookkeeping or accounting skills for expanded responsibilities
- 5.Build proficiency with office technology and communication tools
Switchboard Operators, Including Answering Service Salary by City
| City | Median | Average | Range (10th-90th) | Currency | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| San Jose, CA | $52,000 | $56,000 | $34,000 - $66,000 | USD | Apply |
| San Francisco, CA | $49,000 | $50,000 | $32,000 - $62,000 | USD | Apply |
| Seattle, WA | $46,000 | $48,000 | $30,000 - $58,000 | USD | Apply |
| New York, NY | $45,000 | $49,000 | $31,000 - $55,000 | USD | Apply |
| Washington DC, DC | $45,000 | $48,000 | $31,000 - $55,000 | USD | Apply |
| Boston, MA | $44,000 | $48,000 | $31,000 - $54,000 | USD | Apply |
| Los Angeles, CA | $42,000 | $43,000 | $29,000 - $51,000 | USD | Apply |
| San Diego, CA | $40,000 | $43,000 | $28,000 - $49,000 | USD | Apply |
| Denver, CO | $40,000 | $41,000 | $28,000 - $49,000 | USD | Apply |
| Sacramento, CA | $40,000 | $45,000 | $28,000 - $49,000 | USD | Apply |
| Philadelphia, PA | $39,000 | $43,000 | $27,000 - $48,000 | USD | Apply |
| Austin, TX | $39,000 | $40,000 | $27,000 - $48,000 | USD | Apply |
| Portland, OR | $39,000 | $42,000 | $27,000 - $48,000 | USD | Apply |
| Honolulu, HI | $39,000 | $43,000 | $27,000 - $48,000 | USD | Apply |
| Anchorage, AK | $39,000 | $41,000 | $27,000 - $48,000 | USD | Apply |
| Dallas, TX | $38,000 | $41,000 | $27,000 - $47,000 | USD | Apply |
| Minneapolis, MN | $38,000 | $40,000 | $27,000 - $47,000 | USD | Apply |
| Baltimore, MD | $38,000 | $40,000 | $27,000 - $47,000 | USD | Apply |
| Chicago, IL | $37,000 | $38,000 | $26,000 - $45,000 | USD | Apply |
| Atlanta, GA | $37,000 | $38,000 | $26,000 - $45,000 | USD | Apply |
| Salt Lake City, UT | $37,000 | $41,000 | $26,000 - $45,000 | USD | Apply |
| Hartford, CT | $37,000 | $38,000 | $26,000 - $45,000 | USD | Apply |
| Houston, TX | $36,000 | $37,000 | $25,000 - $44,000 | USD | Apply |
| Detroit, MI | $36,000 | $40,000 | $25,000 - $44,000 | USD | Apply |
| Nashville, TN | $36,000 | $38,000 | $25,000 - $44,000 | USD | Apply |
| Raleigh, NC | $36,000 | $37,000 | $25,000 - $44,000 | USD | Apply |
| Miami, FL | $35,000 | $36,000 | $24,000 - $43,000 | USD | Apply |
| Phoenix, AZ | $35,000 | $37,000 | $24,000 - $43,000 | USD | Apply |
| Charlotte, NC | $35,000 | $39,000 | $24,000 - $43,000 | USD | Apply |
| Las Vegas, NV | $35,000 | $38,000 | $24,000 - $43,000 | USD | Apply |
| Columbus, OH | $35,000 | $38,000 | $24,000 - $43,000 | USD | Apply |
| Pittsburgh, PA | $35,000 | $36,000 | $24,000 - $43,000 | USD | Apply |
| Kansas City, MO | $35,000 | $38,000 | $24,000 - $43,000 | USD | Apply |
| Richmond, VA | $35,000 | $39,000 | $24,000 - $43,000 | USD | Apply |
| Tampa, FL | $34,000 | $36,000 | $24,000 - $42,000 | USD | Apply |
| Indianapolis, IN | $34,000 | $37,000 | $24,000 - $42,000 | USD | Apply |
| St. Louis, MO | $34,000 | $38,000 | $24,000 - $42,000 | USD | Apply |
| Milwaukee, WI | $34,000 | $38,000 | $24,000 - $42,000 | USD | Apply |
| Jacksonville, FL | $34,000 | $36,000 | $24,000 - $42,000 | USD | Apply |
| Orlando, FL | $33,000 | $35,000 | $23,000 - $40,000 | USD | Apply |
| Cleveland, OH | $33,000 | $36,000 | $23,000 - $40,000 | USD | Apply |
| Cincinnati, OH | $33,000 | $35,000 | $23,000 - $40,000 | USD | Apply |
| Oklahoma City, OK | $33,000 | $35,000 | $23,000 - $40,000 | USD | Apply |
| Memphis, TN | $33,000 | $36,000 | $23,000 - $40,000 | USD | Apply |
| Louisville, KY | $33,000 | $35,000 | $23,000 - $40,000 | USD | Apply |
| New Orleans, LA | $33,000 | $37,000 | $23,000 - $40,000 | USD | Apply |
| Buffalo, NY | $33,000 | $35,000 | $23,000 - $40,000 | USD | Apply |
| Birmingham, AL | $33,000 | $36,000 | $23,000 - $40,000 | USD | Apply |
| Toronto, ON | $33,000 | $35,000 | $23,000 - $40,000 | CAD | Apply |
| Vancouver, BC | $33,000 | $35,000 | $23,000 - $40,000 | CAD | Apply |
| San Antonio, TX | $32,000 | $36,000 | $22,000 - $39,000 | USD | Apply |
| Tucson, AZ | $32,000 | $34,000 | $22,000 - $39,000 | USD | Apply |
| Calgary, AB | $31,000 | $33,000 | $22,000 - $38,000 | CAD | Apply |
| Ottawa, ON | $30,000 | $33,000 | $21,000 - $37,000 | CAD | Apply |
| Edmonton, AB | $30,000 | $31,000 | $21,000 - $37,000 | CAD | Apply |
| Montreal, QC | $29,000 | $31,000 | $20,000 - $36,000 | CAD | Apply |
| Hamilton, ON | $29,000 | $30,000 | $20,000 - $36,000 | CAD | Apply |
| Quebec City, QC | $27,000 | $30,000 | $19,000 - $33,000 | CAD | Apply |
| Winnipeg, MB | $26,000 | $27,000 | $18,000 - $32,000 | CAD | Apply |
| Halifax, NS | $26,000 | $27,000 | $18,000 - $32,000 | CAD | Apply |