Communications operator vs telephone operator

The differences between communications operators and telephone operators can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. Additionally, a communications operator has an average salary of $31,491, which is higher than the $31,168 average annual salary of a telephone operator.

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

Communications operator vs telephone operator overview

	Communications Operator	Telephone Operator
Yearly salary	$31,491	$31,168
Hourly rate	$15.14	$14.98
Growth rate	4%	-
Number of jobs	48,509	31,043
Job satisfaction	-	-
Most common degree	Bachelor's Degree, 41%	High School Diploma, 34%
Average age	53	44
Years of experience	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 telephone operator do?

A telephone operator is an employee who assists clients through transferring calls, answering questions, and providing information. In the case of a large volume of calls, telephone operators must operate a private branch exchange (PBX) system to enable them to manage several different calls with accuracy and efficiency. They help customers with special billing requests and people with physical disabilities to make telephone calls. Telephone operators also perform clerical duties such as typing, sorting mail, and updating directory information.

Communications operator vs telephone operator salary

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

	Communications Operator	Telephone Operator
Average salary	$31,491	$31,168
Salary range	Between $24,000 And $40,000	Between $25,000 And $38,000
Highest paying City	San Francisco, CA	Rochester, NY
Highest paying state	California	Minnesota
Best paying company	City of Round Rock	Mount Auburn Hospital
Best paying industry	Government	Telecommunication

Differences between communications operator and telephone operator education

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

	Communications Operator	Telephone Operator
Most common degree	Bachelor's Degree, 41%	High School Diploma, 34%
Most common major	Business	Business
Most common college	-	-

Communications operator vs telephone operator demographics

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

	Communications Operator	Telephone Operator
Average age	53	44
Gender ratio	Male, 39.6% Female, 60.4%	Male, 22.4% Female, 77.6%
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, 13.4% Unknown, 8.1% Hispanic or Latino, 16.2% Asian, 3.6% White, 57.1% American Indian and Alaska Native, 1.4%
LGBT Percentage	19%	9%

Differences between communications operator and telephone 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 ,

Telephone operator example responsibilities.

Operate office equipment including, but not limit to, computers, PBX system, fax machine, e-mail.
Programme various PBX computer operate phone system base request such as wake up calls, flight reminders and tour times.
Provide access to telephone interpreters services for visitors and patients with limit English experience highlights.
Input patients personal information into a database, then contact physicians to give patient information.
Protect patient privacy by following HIPAA regulations, as well as maintaining confidential information within the hospital intranet.
Liaise directly with incoming guests, travel agents, VIP clients and in-house guests to meet guest needs and execute satisfaction.

Communications operator vs telephone operator skills

Common communications operator skills

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

Common telephone operator skills

Patients, 21%
Emergency Calls, 9%
Customer Service, 8%
Phone Calls, 7%
Telephone Calls, 7%
Data Entry, 4%

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Office and Administrative Industry
Communications Operator
Communications Operator vs Telephone Operator

Updated January 8, 2025

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