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.
Also called: CBX Operator (Computerized Branch Exchange Operator) · Central Communications Specialist · Communications Operator · Communications Specialist · Information Specialist · PBX Operator (Private Branch Exchange Operator)
Median pay (national)
$38,370
$29,820–$60,940 (10th–90th)
Employed (US)
35,730
BLS OEWS, May 2024
Outlook 2024–34
-26.3%
~2,800 openings/yr
Typical entry
High school diploma or equivalent
What the numbers say
Refit analysis ·Pay for switchboard operators, including answering service shows a broad range: the top 10% earn $60,940 versus $29,820 at the bottom 10% — 2.0x. The median of $38,370 leaves roughly 59% of headroom to the 90th percentile, which is where seniority, specialization, and the skills below tend to pay off.
Refit analysis ·Employment is projected to change -26.3% from 2024 to 2034 — a projected decline, against +3% across all occupations. Even so, BLS projects about 2,800 openings a year, mostly to replace workers who retire or change careers.
Refit analysis ·Where you work moves the number a lot. Across the 50 states with released data, Hawaii pays the most for this role (median $57,220, +49% vs the national median), while Puerto Rico sits lowest at $23,970 — a 139% spread for the same job title.
Refit analysis ·O*NET rates Active Listening, Speaking, Reading Comprehension as the highest-importance skills here — so a resume aimed at this role should lead with evidence of those, not a generic skills list. On the tools side, O*NET flags Microsoft Excel, Microsoft Office software as in-demand technologies for this role.
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Top skills employers ask for
Ranked by O*NET importance for this occupation.
- Active Listening
- Speaking
- Reading Comprehension
- Monitoring
- Writing
- Critical Thinking
- Active Learning
- Learning Strategies
- Mathematics
- Science
What they actually do
Core O*NET tasks for this role.
- Operate communication systems, such as telephone, switchboard, intercom, two-way radio, or public address.
- Answer incoming calls, greeting callers, providing information, transferring calls or taking messages as necessary.
- Page individuals to inform them of telephone calls, using paging or interoffice communication equipment.
- Relay or route written or verbal messages.
- Greet visitors, log them in and out of the facility, assign them security badges, and contact employee escorts.
- Perform various cash handling tasks, such as collecting payments, making bank deposits, or managing petty cash.
- Place telephone calls or arrange conference calls as instructed.
- Perform various data entry or word processing tasks, such as updating phone directories, typing or proofreading documents, or creating schedules.
- Perform administrative tasks, such as accepting orders, scheduling appointments or meeting rooms, or sending and receiving faxes.
- Monitor emergency and code alarms, make emergency announcements, or route emergency calls to the appropriate location.
Tools & technology
- Microsoft Excel
- Microsoft Office software
- Microsoft Windows
- SAP software
- IBM Notes
- M-Tech Hotel Service Optimization System HotSOS
- Microsoft Access
- Microsoft Outlook
- Microsoft PowerPoint
- Microsoft Word
Knowledge areas
- Customer and Personal Service
- English Language
- Administrative
- Computers and Electronics
- Telecommunications
- Administration and Management
- Communications and Media
- Public Safety and Security