Communication center operator vs exchange operator

The differences between communication center operators and exchange operators can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. It typically takes 1-2 years to become both a communication center operator and an exchange operator. Additionally, an exchange operator has an average salary of $31,600, which is higher than the $30,490 average annual salary of a communication center operator.

The top three skills for a communication center operator include customer service, emergency situations and CCTV. The most important skills for an exchange operator are emergency calls, telephone calls, and PBX.

Communication center operator vs exchange operator overview

	Communication Center Operator	Exchange Operator
Yearly salary	$30,490	$31,600
Hourly rate	$14.66	$15.19
Growth rate	4%	-
Number of jobs	55,730	27,129
Job satisfaction	-	-
Most common degree	Bachelor's Degree, 43%	Bachelor's Degree, 49%
Average age	53	53
Years of experience	2	2

Communication center operator vs exchange operator salary

Communication center operators and exchange operators have different pay scales, as shown below.

	Communication Center Operator	Exchange Operator
Average salary	$30,490	$31,600
Salary range	Between $23,000 And $39,000	Between $23,000 And $42,000
Highest paying City	Los Gatos, CA	-
Highest paying state	Minnesota	-
Best paying company	Rockwell Collins	-
Best paying industry	Technology	-

Differences between communication center operator and exchange operator education

There are a few differences between a communication center operator and an exchange operator in terms of educational background:

	Communication Center Operator	Exchange Operator
Most common degree	Bachelor's Degree, 43%	Bachelor's Degree, 49%
Most common major	Criminal Justice	Business
Most common college	-	-

Communication center operator vs exchange operator demographics

Here are the differences between communication center operators' and exchange operators' demographics:

	Communication Center Operator	Exchange Operator
Average age	53	53
Gender ratio	Male, 60.2% Female, 39.8%	Male, 32.7% Female, 67.3%
Race ratio	Black or African American, 14.3% Unknown, 4.0% Hispanic or Latino, 17.6% Asian, 3.7% White, 59.1% American Indian and Alaska Native, 1.4%	Black or African American, 14.2% Unknown, 3.9% Hispanic or Latino, 18.4% Asian, 3.2% White, 59.0% American Indian and Alaska Native, 1.3%
LGBT Percentage	19%	19%

Differences between communication center operator and exchange operator duties and responsibilities

Communication center operator example responsibilities.

Interpret and respond to system messages through use of JES2, MVS, SDSF and automate commands.
Utilize Microsoft PowerPoint to create visual representations of banker diagrams; and graphic objects.
Maintain the mainframe job scheduling system monitoring CA7 production support, filling customer request for change orders.
Answer Lenel alarms, monitor CCTVs, conduct camera audits, conduct incidents reports and submit work orders.
Perform UNIX backups and report any necessary abnormalities.
Train new console operators on new Honeywell security system.

Exchange operator example responsibilities.

Dispatch engineering assistance request using the HotSOS program.
Train and monitor new hires daily PBX process and operations.
Initiate email and phone hotline to quickly troubleshoot clients' trading issues.
Monitor transactions in the AML and OFAC screening queues for potential suspicious activity.
Supervise telecommunication operations and reinforce the confidentiality in telecommunications.
Supervise telecommunication operations and reinforce the confidentiality in telecommunications.

Communication center operator vs exchange operator skills

Common communication center operator skills

Customer Service, 26%
Emergency Situations, 8%
CCTV, 6%
Incident Reports, 6%
Security Systems, 4%
Background Checks, 4%

Common exchange operator skills

Emergency Calls, 31%
Telephone Calls, 26%
PBX, 18%
Foreign Exchange, 18%
Two-Way Radio, 7%

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Office and Administrative Industry
Communication Center Operator
Communication Center Operator vs Exchange Operator

Updated January 8, 2025

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