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Job outlook for communications operators in the United States
Communications operator job growth summary. After extensive research, interviews, and analysis, Zippia's data science team found that:
The projected communications operator job growth rate is 4% from 2018-2028.
About 3,600 new jobs for communications operators are projected over the next decade.
Communications operator salaries have increased 12% for communications operators in the last 5 years.
There are over 16,502 communications operators currently employed in the United States.
There are 48,509 active communications operator job openings in the US.
The average communications operator salary is $31,491.
Are communications operator jobs in demand?
Communications operator job and salary trends over time
Communications operator jobs over time
Communications operator job growth rate over time
| Year | # of jobs | % of population |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 16,502 | 0.00% |
| 2020 | 17,472 | 0.01% |
| 2019 | 18,585 | 0.01% |
| 2018 | 18,691 | 0.01% |
| 2017 | 19,545 | 0.01% |
Average communications operator salary over time
Communications operator salary by year
| Year | Avg. salary | Hourly rate | % Change |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 | $31,491 | $15.14 | +2.7% |
| 2025 | $30,670 | $14.74 | +4.0% |
| 2024 | $29,477 | $14.17 | +2.5% |
| 2023 | $28,756 | $13.82 | +2.4% |
| 2022 | $28,085 | $13.50 | +2.2% |
Communications operator jobs by state
Most common states for communications operators
| Rank | State | Population | # of jobs | Employment/ 1000ppl |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | District of Columbia | 693,972 | 339 | 49% |
| 2 | Massachusetts | 6,859,819 | 1,688 | 25% |
| 3 | Alaska | 739,795 | 156 | 21% |
| 4 | Rhode Island | 1,059,639 | 217 | 20% |
| 5 | New Jersey | 9,005,644 | 1,233 | 14% |
| 6 | Delaware | 961,939 | 119 | 12% |
| 7 | Hawaii | 1,427,538 | 161 | 11% |
| 8 | Vermont | 623,657 | 68 | 11% |
| 9 | Wyoming | 579,315 | 56 | 10% |
| 10 | South Dakota | 869,666 | 76 | 9% |
| 11 | North Dakota | 755,393 | 69 | 9% |
| 12 | Montana | 1,050,493 | 85 | 8% |
| 13 | Virginia | 8,470,020 | 595 | 7% |
| 14 | New Hampshire | 1,342,795 | 91 | 7% |
| 15 | Maryland | 6,052,177 | 389 | 6% |
| 16 | Utah | 3,101,833 | 175 | 6% |
| 17 | Idaho | 1,716,943 | 99 | 6% |
| 18 | Maine | 1,335,907 | 82 | 6% |
| 19 | Washington | 7,405,743 | 407 | 5% |
| 20 | Minnesota | 5,576,606 | 265 | 5% |
Most common cities for communications operators
| Rank | City | # of jobs | Employment/ 1000ppl | Avg. salary |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Friendswood | 2 | 5% | $24,551 |
| 2 | Everett | 2 | 4% | $36,923 |
| 3 | Fort Dodge | 1 | 4% | $29,948 |
| 4 | Junction City | 1 | 4% | $29,768 |
| 5 | Belleville | 1 | 3% | $32,139 |
| 6 | Beverly Hills | 1 | 3% | $41,514 |
| 7 | Santa Clara | 2 | 2% | $43,298 |
| 8 | Coral Gables | 1 | 2% | $22,536 |
| 9 | Gardena | 1 | 2% | $41,395 |
| 10 | Des Moines | 2 | 1% | $29,534 |
| 11 | Edinburg | 1 | 1% | $24,460 |
| 12 | Fargo | 1 | 1% | $26,907 |
| 13 | Fort Lauderdale | 1 | 1% | $22,536 |
| 14 | Joliet | 1 | 1% | $32,220 |
| 15 | Phoenix | 3 | 0% | $26,857 |
| 16 | Boston | 2 | 0% | $36,924 |
| 17 | Washington | 2 | 0% | $34,386 |
| 18 | Kansas City | 1 | 0% | $28,307 |
Communications Operator job outlook: Expert opinions
Our panel of communications operator experts
Michigan Technological University
University of Wisconsin -- Madison
Michigan Technological University
Dr. Maria Bergstrom
Academic Advisor:Humanities and Modern Languages, Lecturer: Writing and Literature, Humanities Internship CoordinatorMichigan Technological University
Department of Humanities
What soft skills should all Communications Operators possess?
Dr. Maria Bergstrom: I think it always helps to have experience working with diverse teams--and of course, that includes social/cultural/ethnic/racial diversity, but also working with people of different age groups, perhaps, or people from different technical areas. Our humanities students at Michigan Tech, for example, work on a lot of teams with students in engineering, and I think being able to bridge those different ways of knowing and different ways of thinking about products and processes can be a real strength. Also, the ability to listen empathetically and think about how other people might make different assumptions in a given situation than you do is valuable. It helps you be a better colleague, better leader and also helps you design and communicate with a more nuanced understanding of your audience.
What hard/technical skills are most important for Communications Operators?
Dr. Maria Bergstrom: I think experience with a variety of platforms for communication is important--can you use a variety of digital tools and software, and are you able to think about how communication looks different in those different spaces? So, for example, can you use Google Suite or Microsoft Teams and maximize your efficiency and effectiveness because you are using all the tools available in those platforms? I also think an understanding of data analytics, search engine optimization, and other ways of tracking how your audiences are interacting with your communication platforms is important and will continue to be important.
What skills will help Communications Operators earn the most?
Dr. Maria Bergstrom: What I hear from alumni is that solid writing skills translate into promotions and opportunities almost no matter what specific field you are in. If you can write well and adapt your writing to different situations, that pays off in many ways. I also think people with the ability to look around and envision what could be better (in their project, in their workgroup, in their company) are more likely to be given more responsibility and move into leadership positions. It's important not to be so focused just on the specific job you have to do that you don't keep that bigger picture in mind and think about how you can contribute to it.
Robert Glenn Howard Ph.D.
Director, Digital Studies & DesignLab, Professor, Department of Communication Arts, Affiliated FacultyUniversity of Wisconsin -- Madison
Department of Communication Arts
What skills stand out on Communications Operator resumes?
Robert Glenn Howard Ph.D.: For Communication Officer's resumes, the key skill is, of course, communication. That covers a huge range of specific skills, from designing and executing social media campaigns to interviewing people to designing and creating digital media. While technical skills can be learned, the central skill is the ability to succinctly and clearly see what needs to be said to whom and to do it best.
What soft skills should all Communications Operators possess?
Robert Glenn Howard Ph.D.: Soft skills are always key in any professional context, and they are often the sort of thing you can convey to a potential employer by giving a good interview: one that shows you can listen and respond verbally at the moment.
What hard/technical skills are most important for Communications Operators?
Robert Glenn Howard Ph.D.: Technical skills for communication officers include using social media platforms, using digital media software to create graphic, video, and audio content, understanding and doing some basic coding. Understanding the use of metadata tagging, social media marketing techniques, and database design and how those structures work can be assets.
What skills will help Communications Operators earn the most?
Robert Glenn Howard Ph.D.: In the end, technical skills are the thing that will take you the furthest. While important, what's way more important is to foresee, imagine, and come up with solutions to problems and means to expand the goals of the institution you are working for. Doing the hard coding isn't what will take you to the top; it's leading others to do bunches of hard coding that then can come together into a global solution or global strategy that benefits your institution.
Dr. Stefka Hristova Ph.D.
Associate Professor of Digital Media, Humanities, Communication, Culture, and Media Undergraduate Program Director, Co-Leader for Tech Forward Education for the 21st Century IDEA HUB GenEdMichigan Technological University
Communication, Culture, & Media Undergraduate Program
What skills stand out on Communications Operator resumes?
Dr. Stefka Hristova Ph.D.: Communication is a central block for building a community. Through communication on interpersonal, group, organizational, and public levels, we can co-create shared cultures. As such, communication is at the core of our personal, professional, and social worlds. Being a good communicator entails not only the ability to speak and write/design but also expertise in being a good listener and careful reader of multimedia content. Communicators can create a common ground, and as such, they are indispensable to organizations that seek to have a meaningful engagement with the public.