How to hire a communication center operator

How to hire a communication center operator, step by step

Here's a step-by-step communication center operator hiring guide:

• Step 1: Identify your hiring needs
• Step 2: Create an ideal candidate profile
• Step 3: Make a budget
• Step 4: Write a communication center operator job description
• Step 5: Post your job
• Step 6: Interview candidates
• Step 7: Send a job offer and onboard your new communication center operator
• Step 8: Go through the hiring process checklist

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1. Identify your hiring needs

   First, determine the employments status of the communication center operator you need to hire. Certain communication center operator roles might require a full-time employee, whereas others can be done by part-time workers or contractors.

   Determine employee vs contractor status

   Is the person you're thinking of hiring a US citizen or green card holder?

   Yes

   No

   A communication center operator's background is also an important factor in determining whether they'll be a good fit for the position. For example, communication center operators from different industries or fields will have radically different experiences and will bring different viewpoints to the role. You also need to consider the candidate's previous level of experience to make sure they'll be comfortable with the job's level of seniority.

   The following list breaks down different types of communication center operators and their corresponding salaries.

   Type of Communication Center Operator	Description	Hourly rate
   Communication Center Operator		$11-18
   Operator	Operators are skilled workers who are in charge of working on an industrial machine or a specific aspect of the manufacturing business. They are trained to operate machines, learning how to use them... Show more	$12-25
   PBX Operator	A PBX operator is a professional who works in an office environment and is responsible for answering incoming calls and transferring calls to other individuals within the organization. PBX operators are required to provide excellent customer service and must handle basic questions of customers, such as hours of operation, directions, and direct phone numbers for individuals and departments... Show more	$11-17

   Show more

2. Create an ideal candidate profile

   Common skills:

   • Customer Service
   • Emergency Situations
   • CCTV
   • Incident Reports
   • Security Systems
   • Background Checks
   • Data Entry
   • Radio Communications
   • Windows
   • Control Systems
   • HF
   • Fire Alarms
   • Law Enforcement
   • Emergency Response

   Check all skills

   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.

   More communication center operator duties

3. Make a budget

   Including a salary range in your communication center operator job description is a great way to entice the best and brightest candidates. A communication center operator salary can vary based on several factors:

   • Location. For example, communication center operators' average salary in oklahoma is 42% less than in minnesota.
   • Seniority. Entry-level communication center operators earn 41% less than senior-level communication center operators.
   • Certifications. A communication center operator with a few certifications under their belt will likely demand a higher salary.
   • Company. Working for a prestigious company or an exciting start-up can make a huge difference in a communication center operator's salary.

   Average communication center operator salary

   $14.66hourly

   $30,490 yearly

   ---

   Entry-level communication center operator salary

   $23,000 yearly salary

   Updated January 21, 2026

   Average communication center operator salary by state

   Rank	State	Avg. salary	Hourly rate
   1	California	$38,516	$19
   2	Massachusetts	$35,669	$17
   3	New York	$34,820	$17
   4	Arizona	$33,542	$16
   5	District of Columbia	$32,544	$16
   6	Pennsylvania	$32,493	$16
   7	New Jersey	$29,949	$14
   8	Utah	$29,358	$14
   9	Wisconsin	$29,118	$14
   10	Missouri	$28,410	$14
   11	Michigan	$27,226	$13
   12	Georgia	$26,599	$13
   13	Virginia	$26,295	$13

   Average communication center operator salary by company

   Company

   Rank	Company	Average salary	Hourly rate	Job openings
   1	Collins Aerospace	$48,249	$23.20
   2	American Water	$44,637	$21.46	9
   3	Raytheon Technologies	$43,314	$20.82	10
   4	Abbott	$36,132	$17.37	16
   5	Mayo Clinic	$34,357	$16.52	5
   6	Woods Services	$33,335	$16.03
   7	United Technology Group	$33,183	$15.95
   8	St Joseph Medical Group	$33,133	$15.93	4
   9	Federal Reserve Bank	$32,845	$15.79	5
   10	LifePoint Health	$32,538	$15.64	7
   11	CACI International	$32,395	$15.57	10
   12	Federal Reserve	$32,369	$15.56
   13	Health Alliance	$32,279	$15.52	5
   14	Delaware North	$29,799	$14.33	1
   15	Sunstates Security	$29,663	$14.26	1
   16	DePauw University	$29,619	$14.24
   17	Bering Straits	$29,599	$14.23
   18	GradyHealth	$29,404	$14.14	2
   19	E3 Federal Solutions, Llc	$29,373	$14.12
   20	G4S	$29,329	$14.10

4. Writing a communication center operator job description

   A job description for a communication center operator role includes a summary of the job's main responsibilities, required skills, and preferred background experience. Including a salary range can also go a long way in attracting more candidates to apply, and showing the first name of the hiring manager can also make applicants more comfortable. As an example, here's a communication center operator job description:

   Communication center operator job description example

   "Enriching the community through lifelong learning and discovery"
   
   Do you want to accomplish important things in and for our community? Do you believe that libraries can change lives? If so, join our team of dedicated, passionate individuals. Excellent customer service is the number one priority for all ACPL positions. At ACPL, we believe that every staff member plays a key role in delivering top quality service to the residents of Allen County. We are seeking individuals who are interested in helping ACPL further our mission of enriching the community through lifelong learning and discovery.
   
   At the Allen County Public Library, the Communications Center Operator serves as a liaison between the community and the entire Library system, through the use of the multi-line switchboard, emergency phones, security cameras, various office equipment, and the fire and safety alarm systems. The position is located at the downtown Main Branch.
   
   Click here for full job description
   
   The schedule will be primarily second-shift with a rotating weekend schedule.
   
   Essential FunctionsAnswers incoming calls on switchboard providing service to internal and external customers; answers routine questions about the library and its services; routes calls to appropriate person or department as necessary.Responds to emergency phone calls or other emergency requests as received and notifies appropriate personnel.Operates and monitors video surveillance system; dispatches Security Officers to departments per request from staff, or per situations viewed on cameras. Receives and relays messages for staff Makes necessary phone calls to contractors for repairs such as; elevators, parking machines and vending machines.Documents and issues identification badges; issues parking passes.Monitors weather conditions and notifies appropriate staff of concerns as necessary.Makes announcements over communications system to customers and staff as required.Contacts on-call maintenance personnel for calls regarding maintenance issues after hours.Promotes and supports the overall mission of the Library by demonstrating courteous and cooperative behavior when interacting with the public and staff; acts in a manner that promotes a harmonious and effective workplace environment.
   RequirementsHigh School Diploma/GED; AND one (1) year of customer service experience; OR an equivalent combination of education, training and experience.
   Compensation & BenefitsStarting pay is between $12.48 - $16.22 per hour based on experience.Comprehensive benefit package - including medical, dental, vision, life & long-term disability insurance Flexible Spending Account/Health Savings AccountCumulative sick leave Library-paid retirement fund Two-weeks vacation accrual Deferred compensation plan (457b) Employee Assistance Program (EAP) Variety of voluntary insurance plans Wellness bonus opportunity Free parking
   This position will be open until filled
   
   Everyone belongs at the Allen County Public Library. We are on a mission to recognize, cultivate, and celebrate diversity. We offer collections, services, programs, assistance, and spaces that enrich and reflect our community. We are committed to nurturing an inclusive workforce and establishing ourselves as a communal space of respect, safety, and service. All are welcome to pursue lifelong learning and discovery at ACPL regardless of identity, origin, ability, religion, race, culture, socioeconomic status, age, or other differences.
   
   The Allen County Public Library is an equal opportunity employer.

   Copy this example

   

5. Post your job

   There are various strategies that you can use to find the right communication center operator for your business:

   • Consider promoting from within or recruiting from your existing workforce.
   • Ask for referrals from friends, family members, and current employees.
   • Attend job fairs at local colleges to find candidates who meet your education requirements.
   • Use social media platforms like LinkedIn, Facebook, and Twitter to reach potential job candidates.

   Post your job online:

   • Post your communication center operator job on Zippia to find and recruit communication center operator candidates who meet your exact specifications.
   • Use field-specific websites.
   • Post a job on free websites.

6. Interview candidates

   Recruiting communication center operators requires you to bring your A-game to the interview process. The first interview should introduce the company and the role to the candidate as much as they present their background experience and reasons for applying for the job. During later interviews, you can go into more detail about the technical details of the job and ask behavioral questions to gauge how they'd fit into your current company culture.

   You should also ask about candidates' unique skills and talents to see if they match the ideal candidate profile you developed earlier. Candidates good enough for the next step can complete the technical interview.

   The right interview questions can help you assess a candidate's hard skills, behavioral intelligence, and soft skills.

7. Send a job offer and onboard your new communication center operator

   Once you've found the communication center operator candidate you'd like to hire, it's time to write an offer letter. This should include an explicit job offer that includes the salary and the details of any other perks. Qualified candidates might be looking at multiple positions, so your offer must be competitive if you like the candidate. Also, be prepared for a negotiation stage, as candidates may way want to tweak the details of your initial offer. Once you've settled on these details, you can draft a contract to formalize your agreement.

   It's equally important to follow up with applicants who don't get the job with an email letting them know that the position has been filled.

   To prepare for the new communication center operator first day, you should share an onboarding schedule with them that covers their first period on the job. You should also quickly complete any necessary paperwork, such as employee action forms and onboarding documents like I-9, benefits enrollment, and federal and state tax forms. Finally, Human Resources must ensure a new employee file is created for internal record keeping.

8. Go through the hiring process checklist

   • Determine employee type (full-time, part-time, contractor, etc.)
   • Submit a job requisition form to the HR department
   • Define job responsibilities and requirements
   • Establish budget and timeline
   • Determine hiring decision makers for the role
   • Write job description
   • Post job on job boards, company website, etc.
   • Promote the job internally
   • Process applications through applicant tracking system
   • Review resumes and cover letters
   • Shortlist candidates for screening
   • Hold phone/virtual interview screening with first round of candidates
   • Conduct in-person interviews with top candidates from first round
   • Score candidates based on weighted criteria (e.g., experience, education, background, cultural fit, skill set, etc.)
   • Conduct background checks on top candidates
   • Check references of top candidates
   • Consult with HR and hiring decision makers on job offer specifics
   • Extend offer to top candidate(s)
   • Receive formal job offer acceptance and signed employment contract
   • Inform other candidates that the position has been filled
   • Set and communicate onboarding schedule to new hire(s)
   • Complete new hire paperwork (i9, benefits enrollment, tax forms, etc.)

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