Answering service telephone operator vs switchboard operator, receptionist

The differences between answering service telephone operators and switchboard operators, receptionist can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. It typically takes 1-2 years to become both an answering service telephone operator and a switchboard operator, receptionist. Additionally, an answering service telephone operator has an average salary of $35,244, which is higher than the $25,889 average annual salary of a switchboard operator, receptionist.

The top three skills for an answering service telephone operator include customer service, appointment scheduling and transferring calls. The most important skills for a switchboard operator, receptionist are greeting visitors, data entry, and customer service.

Answering service telephone operator vs switchboard operator, receptionist overview

	Answering Service Telephone Operator	Switchboard Operator, Receptionist
Yearly salary	$35,244	$25,889
Hourly rate	$16.94	$12.45
Growth rate	-	-
Number of jobs	26,945	95,946
Job satisfaction	-	-
Most common degree	Associate Degree, 32%	High School Diploma, 34%
Average age	53	53
Years of experience	2	2

Answering service telephone operator vs switchboard operator, receptionist salary

Answering service telephone operators and switchboard operators, receptionist have different pay scales, as shown below.

	Answering Service Telephone Operator	Switchboard Operator, Receptionist
Average salary	$35,244	$25,889
Salary range	Between $23,000 And $52,000	Between $19,000 And $33,000
Highest paying City	-	Spokane Valley, WA
Highest paying state	-	Washington
Best paying company	-	Spaulding Rehabilitation Hospital
Best paying industry	-	Finance

Differences between answering service telephone operator and switchboard operator, receptionist education

There are a few differences between an answering service telephone operator and a switchboard operator, receptionist in terms of educational background:

	Answering Service Telephone Operator	Switchboard Operator, Receptionist
Most common degree	Associate Degree, 32%	High School Diploma, 34%
Most common major	Health Care Administration	Business
Most common college	-	-

Answering service telephone operator vs switchboard operator, receptionist demographics

Here are the differences between answering service telephone operators' and switchboard operators, receptionist' demographics:

	Answering Service Telephone Operator	Switchboard Operator, Receptionist
Average age	53	53
Gender ratio	Male, 14.6% Female, 85.4%	Male, 5.8% Female, 94.2%
Race ratio	Black or African American, 13.0% Unknown, 3.5% Hispanic or Latino, 13.3% Asian, 4.4% White, 64.5% American Indian and Alaska Native, 1.2%	Black or African American, 14.6% Unknown, 3.6% Hispanic or Latino, 15.8% Asian, 3.8% White, 60.9% American Indian and Alaska Native, 1.2%
LGBT Percentage	19%	19%

Differences between answering service telephone operator and switchboard operator, receptionist duties and responsibilities

Answering service telephone operator example responsibilities.

Protect patient privacy by following HIPAA regulations, as well as maintaining confidential information within the hospital intranet.
Maintain great customer relations with VIP arrivals

Switchboard operator, receptionist example responsibilities.

Assist office management and staff with administrative projects/responsibilities such as managing time-sensitive projects, filing, copying, and collating materials.
Operate an antique PBX switchboard, in charge of petty cash and responsible for receipt of incoming funds.
Operate PBX switchboard and develop procedure manuals to ensure consistency.
Assist office management and staff with administrative projects/responsibilities such as managing time-sensitive projects, filing, copying, and collating materials.
Answer switchboard calls; utilizing effective communication and listening skills.
Serve as face-of- company while receiving in-person visitors and directing incoming calls via switchboard.

Answering service telephone operator vs switchboard operator, receptionist skills

Common answering service telephone operator skills

Customer Service, 38%
Appointment Scheduling, 12%
Transferring Calls, 12%
Two-Way Radio, 10%
Switchboards, 9%
Computer System, 7%

Common switchboard operator, receptionist skills

Greeting Visitors, 16%
Data Entry, 13%
Customer Service, 12%
Front Desk, 7%
Scheduling Appointments, 5%
Telephone Calls, 4%

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Office and Administrative Industry
Answering Service Telephone Operator
Answering Service Telephone Operator vs Switchboard Operator, Receptionist

Updated January 8, 2025

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