Communication center operator vs telephone switchboard operator

The differences between communication center operators and telephone switchboard 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 telephone switchboard operator. Additionally, a telephone switchboard operator has an average salary of $30,681, 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 telephone switchboard operator are telephone switchboard, on-call schedules, and customer service.

Communication center operator vs telephone switchboard operator overview

	Communication Center Operator	Telephone Switchboard Operator
Yearly salary	$30,490	$30,681
Hourly rate	$14.66	$14.75
Growth rate	4%	-
Number of jobs	55,730	27,103
Job satisfaction	-	4
Most common degree	Bachelor's Degree, 43%	High School Diploma, 32%
Average age	53	53
Years of experience	2	2

Communication center operator vs telephone switchboard operator salary

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

	Communication Center Operator	Telephone Switchboard Operator
Average salary	$30,490	$30,681
Salary range	Between $23,000 And $39,000	Between $24,000 And $38,000
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 telephone switchboard operator education

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

	Communication Center Operator	Telephone Switchboard Operator
Most common degree	Bachelor's Degree, 43%	High School Diploma, 32%
Most common major	Criminal Justice	Business
Most common college	-	-

Communication center operator vs telephone switchboard operator demographics

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

	Communication Center Operator	Telephone Switchboard Operator
Average age	53	53
Gender ratio	Male, 60.2% Female, 39.8%	Male, 15.7% Female, 84.3%
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, 14.7% Unknown, 3.6% Hispanic or Latino, 15.9% Asian, 4.1% White, 60.5% American Indian and Alaska Native, 1.2%
LGBT Percentage	19%	19%

Differences between communication center operator and telephone switchboard 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.

Telephone switchboard operator example responsibilities.

Protect patient privacy by following HIPAA regulations, as well as maintaining confidential information within the hospital intranet.
Receive, answer and forward calls on a busy switchboard for doctors, attorneys and numerous businesses.
Work the operator switchboard answering incoming calls and place direct, third party, collect calls and provide customer assistance.
Monitor security equipment and train to contact APD when the situation call for it.
Maintain great customer relations with VIP arrivals

Communication center operator vs telephone switchboard 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 telephone switchboard operator skills

Telephone Switchboard, 36%
On-Call Schedules, 21%
Customer Service, 11%
Direct Calls, 8%
Inbound Calls, 6%
Front Desk, 5%

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Office and Administrative Industry
Communication Center Operator
Communication Center Operator vs Telephone Switchboard Operator

Updated January 8, 2025

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