Communication center operator vs relay operator

The differences between communication center operators and relay 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 a relay operator. Additionally, a relay operator has an average salary of $36,743, 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 a relay operator are phone calls, customer service, and speech patterns.

Communication center operator vs relay operator overview

	Communication Center Operator	Relay Operator
Yearly salary	$30,490	$36,743
Hourly rate	$14.66	$17.66
Growth rate	4%	7%
Number of jobs	55,730	30,971
Job satisfaction	-	3
Most common degree	Bachelor's Degree, 43%	High School Diploma, 31%
Average age	53	53
Years of experience	2	2

Communication center operator vs relay operator salary

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

	Communication Center Operator	Relay Operator
Average salary	$30,490	$36,743
Salary range	Between $23,000 And $39,000	Between $24,000 And $54,000
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 relay operator education

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

	Communication Center Operator	Relay Operator
Most common degree	Bachelor's Degree, 43%	High School Diploma, 31%
Most common major	Criminal Justice	Business
Most common college	-	-

Communication center operator vs relay operator demographics

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

	Communication Center Operator	Relay Operator
Average age	53	53
Gender ratio	Male, 60.2% Female, 39.8%	Male, 30.2% Female, 69.8%
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, 14.3% Unknown, 3.9% Hispanic or Latino, 17.1% Asian, 4.0% White, 59.3% American Indian and Alaska Native, 1.4%
LGBT Percentage	19%	19%

Differences between communication center operator and relay 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.

Relay operator example responsibilities.

Translate from written ASL to English.
Relay calls for deaf people using tty machines and VCO 's
Receive calls via CRT or similar device from speech/hearing impair users.
Identify customer needs and present an appropriate solution by upselling calling plans.
Attend workshops that deal with learning ASL and the daily living of that particular community.
Acknowledge call and communicate with user via CRT or other terminal until conversation are complete.

Communication center operator vs relay 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 relay operator skills

Phone Calls, 24%
Customer Service, 19%
Speech Patterns, 10%
Deaf Community, 6%
Inbound Calls, 6%
Outbound Calls, 3%

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

Updated January 8, 2025

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