Pbx operator vs central communications specialist

The differences between pbx operators and central communications specialists can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. It typically takes 1-2 years to become both a pbx operator and a central communications specialist. Additionally, a central communications specialist has an average salary of $41,083, which is higher than the $29,942 average annual salary of a pbx operator.

The top three skills for a pbx operator include customer service, patients and emergency codes. The most important skills for a central communications specialist are customer service, data entry, and traffic flow.

Pbx operator vs central communications specialist overview

	PBX Operator	Central Communications Specialist
Yearly salary	$29,942	$41,083
Hourly rate	$14.40	$19.75
Growth rate	-	8%
Number of jobs	30,866	63,117
Job satisfaction	-	-
Most common degree	High School Diploma, 33%	Bachelor's Degree, 47%
Average age	53	53
Years of experience	2	2

What does a pbx operator do?

A PBX operator is an individual 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. They should know how to use the private branch exchange switchboard that can include new connections for long-distance and transmit messages. PBX operators must also perform various tasks such as typing, checking, and recording information.

What does a central communications specialist do?

A central communications specialist is in charge of overseeing the public and media relations of an organization. Although their duties may vary upon their company or industry of employment, it usually involves handling media requests and press releases, developing newsletters and press kits, facilitating communication lines with clients, and coordinating with media partners and advertising agencies. Moreover, in some companies, a central communications specialist may also participate in utilizing social media and other web platform strategies to raise brand awareness and public interest.

Pbx operator vs central communications specialist salary

Pbx operators and central communications specialists have different pay scales, as shown below.

	PBX Operator	Central Communications Specialist
Average salary	$29,942	$41,083
Salary range	Between $24,000 And $36,000	Between $31,000 And $53,000
Highest paying City	San Francisco, CA	Portland, OR
Highest paying state	North Dakota	California
Best paying company	Colusa Casino Resort	BMO Capital Markets
Best paying industry	Hospitality	-

Differences between pbx operator and central communications specialist education

There are a few differences between a pbx operator and a central communications specialist in terms of educational background:

	PBX Operator	Central Communications Specialist
Most common degree	High School Diploma, 33%	Bachelor's Degree, 47%
Most common major	Business	Business
Most common college	-	-

Pbx operator vs central communications specialist demographics

Here are the differences between pbx operators' and central communications specialists' demographics:

	PBX Operator	Central Communications Specialist
Average age	53	53
Gender ratio	Male, 14.5% Female, 85.5%	Male, 41.9% Female, 58.1%
Race ratio	Black or African American, 14.3% Unknown, 3.6% Hispanic or Latino, 18.4% Asian, 3.2% White, 59.2% American Indian and Alaska Native, 1.2%	Black or African American, 14.3% Unknown, 3.6% Hispanic or Latino, 18.3% Asian, 3.2% White, 59.4% American Indian and Alaska Native, 1.2%
LGBT Percentage	19%	19%

Differences between pbx operator and central communications specialist duties and responsibilities

Pbx operator example responsibilities.

Manage incoming calls from switchboard and delivery of accurate messages to appropriate individuals in timely manner
Process all guest reservations including guest follow up obtaining all necessary information and accurately entering it into computer system.
Utilize the features of the PBX consoles, headsets, telephones and other relate equipment.
Direct call to guest rooms, staff, or departments through the switchboard or PBX system.
Deliver patient messages, up holding HIPAA standards, and perform special projects assign by multiple departments.
Operate a multi-line telephone console system, alerting system and TDD system for the deaf and hearing-impair.

Central communications specialist example responsibilities.

Manage, create and edit internal and external communication collateral, providing high-level management copywriting and document creation support.
Interpret medical abbreviations (SIG codes).
Follow all HIPPA and other confidentiality laws.
Dispatch helicopter teams to scene call flights.
Assist customers to the parking lot with groceries.
Resolve complex verification problems relate to interactions between all functional areas of the AVN, FAA and its user organizations.

Pbx operator vs central communications specialist skills

Common pbx operator skills

Customer Service, 21%
Patients, 18%
Emergency Codes, 7%
Reservations, 6%
Front Desk, 5%
Phone Calls, 5%

Common central communications specialist skills

Customer Service, 28%
Data Entry, 23%
Traffic Flow, 7%
Sops, 7%
FDA, 6%
Financial Transactions, 5%

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Office and Administrative Industry
PBX Operator
PBX Operator vs Central Communications Specialist

Updated January 8, 2025

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