Phone operator vs call center operator

The differences between phone operators and call center 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 phone operator and a call center operator. Additionally, a call center operator has an average salary of $31,022, which is higher than the $30,289 average annual salary of a phone operator.

The top three skills for a phone operator include patients, customer service and phone calls. The most important skills for a call center operator are strong customer service, patients, and data entry.

Phone operator vs call center operator overview

	Phone Operator	Call Center Operator
Yearly salary	$30,289	$31,022
Hourly rate	$14.56	$14.91
Growth rate	-4%	-4%
Number of jobs	87,484	215,083
Job satisfaction	-	-
Most common degree	High School Diploma, 39%	Bachelor's Degree, 36%
Average age	53	53
Years of experience	2	2

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.

What does a call center operator do?

A call center operator is primarily in charge of handling inbound and outbound calls in a call center, aiming to provide clients with optimal support and service. They usually answer inbound calls from clients and assist them by answering inquiries, processing requests, and even handling issues and concerns, resolving them promptly and efficiently to ensure customer satisfaction. They also make outbound calls, reaching out to potential clients to offer products and services. They usually answer inquiries, discuss product specifications, arrange payment plans, and maintain records of all transactions.

Phone operator vs call center operator salary

Phone operators and call center operators have different pay scales, as shown below.

	Phone Operator	Call Center Operator
Average salary	$30,289	$31,022
Salary range	Between $25,000 And $36,000	Between $22,000 And $42,000
Highest paying City	-	Vacaville, CA
Highest paying state	-	New York
Best paying company	-	Brigham and Women's Hospital
Best paying industry	-	Media

Differences between phone operator and call center operator education

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

	Phone Operator	Call Center Operator
Most common degree	High School Diploma, 39%	Bachelor's Degree, 36%
Most common major	Business	Business
Most common college	-	-

Phone operator vs call center operator demographics

Here are the differences between phone operators' and call center operators' demographics:

	Phone Operator	Call Center Operator
Average age	53	53
Gender ratio	Male, 22.7% Female, 77.3%	Male, 26.6% Female, 73.4%
Race ratio	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%	Black or African American, 14.4% Unknown, 3.6% Hispanic or Latino, 17.4% Asian, 3.4% White, 60.0% American Indian and Alaska Native, 1.2%
LGBT Percentage	19%	19%

Differences between phone operator and call center operator duties and responsibilities

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.

Call center operator example responsibilities.

Manage confidential documents and records with strict compliance to HIPAA.
Manage patient's records and make sure they are protected under the HIPPA laws.
Page all Dr's and staff when need.
Comply with HIPAA regulations at all times.
Create daily reports to monitor patient census, food allergies and nutritional plans.
Oversee scheduling, re-scheduling, and input appointment information into the systems EMR.

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Phone operator vs call center operator skills

Common phone operator skills

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

Common call center operator skills

Strong Customer Service, 50%
Patients, 10%
Data Entry, 5%
Customer Service, 5%
Phone Calls, 4%
Telephone Calls, 3%

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Updated January 8, 2025

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