Communications operator vs phone operator

The differences between communications operators and phone 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 communications operator and a phone operator. Additionally, a communications operator has an average salary of $31,491, which is higher than the $30,289 average annual salary of a phone operator.

The top three skills for a communications operator include patients, customer service and emergency situations. The most important skills for a phone operator are patients, customer service, and phone calls.

Communications operator vs phone operator overview

	Communications Operator	Phone Operator
Yearly salary	$31,491	$30,289
Hourly rate	$15.14	$14.56
Growth rate	4%	-4%
Number of jobs	48,509	87,484
Job satisfaction	-	-
Most common degree	Bachelor's Degree, 41%	High School Diploma, 39%
Average age	53	53
Years of experience	2	2

What does a communications operator do?

A communications operator is responsible for receiving incoming calls from customers and clients and transferring them to the appropriate department for their needs and concerns. Communications operators perform administrative duties, such as organizing directory, updating customers' information on the database, and pulling-up reports. They also help agents in responding to the customers' inquiries and processing their requests. A communications operator must have excellent communication and organizational skills, especially in documenting calls for audits and references.

What does a phone operator do?

The primary job of phone operators is to help customers by answering questions, providing information, and transferring calls. They handle special billing requests from customers such as credits or refunds for bad connections or incorrectly dialed numbers and third-party charges. They may also handle emergency calls and aid children or people with disabilities to make phone calls. Other tasks of phone operators include calculating and quoting charges for services, operating telephone switchboards, and monitoring automated systems for collect calls placement.

Communications operator vs phone operator salary

Communications operators and phone operators have different pay scales, as shown below.

	Communications Operator	Phone Operator
Average salary	$31,491	$30,289
Salary range	Between $24,000 And $40,000	Between $25,000 And $36,000
Highest paying City	San Francisco, CA	-
Highest paying state	California	-
Best paying company	City of Round Rock	-
Best paying industry	Government	-

Differences between communications operator and phone operator education

There are a few differences between a communications operator and a phone operator in terms of educational background:

	Communications Operator	Phone Operator
Most common degree	Bachelor's Degree, 41%	High School Diploma, 39%
Most common major	Business	Business
Most common college	-	-

Communications operator vs phone operator demographics

Here are the differences between communications operators' and phone operators' demographics:

	Communications Operator	Phone Operator
Average age	53	53
Gender ratio	Male, 39.6% Female, 60.4%	Male, 22.7% Female, 77.3%
Race ratio	Black or African American, 14.6% Unknown, 3.8% Hispanic or Latino, 15.7% Asian, 3.8% White, 60.9% American Indian and Alaska Native, 1.3%	Black or African American, 14.3% Unknown, 3.6% Hispanic or Latino, 18.1% Asian, 3.2% White, 59.5% American Indian and Alaska Native, 1.2%
LGBT Percentage	19%	19%

Differences between communications operator and phone operator duties and responsibilities

Communications operator example responsibilities.

Manage busy company switchboard, operating PBX or private branch exchange systems to facilitate connections.
Perform NCIC, DMV, warrant and missing person checks for police officers in the field.
Supervise telecommunication operations and reinforce the confidentiality in telecommunications.
Dispatch ambulances, tow trucks, fire department, aid cars, and other aid as requested, maintain appropriate record.
Utilize``new media,``including blogging, a collective photo site, intellipedia, and instant messaging.
Work dispatch for DPS Pecos and DPS San Angelo ,

Phone operator example responsibilities.

Manage incoming calls from patients and medical professionals by utilizing telephonic paging system and manual messaging.
Answer phone calls for att and directv
Up sell customers to DirecTV bundles as well as internet, cell phone service, long distance and home phone service.
Illistrate confidentiality of veterans when discussing concerns as it relate to medical treatments in compliance with HIPPA regulations.
Up sell customers to DirecTV bundles as well as internet, cell phone service, long distance and home phone service.

Communications operator vs phone operator skills

Common communications operator skills

Patients, 14%
Customer Service, 14%
Emergency Situations, 6%
PBX, 5%
Public Safety, 4%
Non-Emergency Calls, 4%

Common phone operator skills

Patients, 15%
Customer Service, 15%
Phone Calls, 13%
Telephone Calls, 9%
Front Desk, 4%
Computer System, 4%

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Office and Administrative Industry
Communications Operator
Communications Operator vs Phone Operator

Updated January 8, 2025

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