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Phone operator vs telephone operator

The differences between phone operators and telephone operators can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. Additionally, a telephone operator has an average salary of $31,168, 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 telephone operator are patients, emergency calls, and customer service.

Phone operator vs telephone operator overview

Phone OperatorTelephone Operator
Yearly salary$30,289$31,168
Hourly rate$14.56$14.98
Growth rate-4%-
Number of jobs87,48431,043
Job satisfaction--
Most common degreeHigh School Diploma, 39%High School Diploma, 34%
Average age5344
Years of experience2-

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 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.

Phone operator vs telephone operator salary

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

Phone OperatorTelephone Operator
Average salary$30,289$31,168
Salary rangeBetween $25,000 And $36,000Between $25,000 And $38,000
Highest paying City-Rochester, NY
Highest paying state-Minnesota
Best paying company-Mount Auburn Hospital
Best paying industry-Telecommunication

Differences between phone operator and telephone operator education

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

Phone OperatorTelephone Operator
Most common degreeHigh School Diploma, 39%High School Diploma, 34%
Most common majorBusinessBusiness
Most common college--

Phone operator vs telephone operator demographics

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

Phone OperatorTelephone Operator
Average age5344
Gender ratioMale, 22.7% Female, 77.3%Male, 22.4% Female, 77.6%
Race ratioBlack 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, 13.4% Unknown, 8.1% Hispanic or Latino, 16.2% Asian, 3.6% White, 57.1% American Indian and Alaska Native, 1.4%
LGBT Percentage19%9%

Differences between phone operator and telephone 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.

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.
  • Show more

Phone operator vs telephone operator skills

Common phone operator skills
  • Patients, 15%
  • Customer Service, 15%
  • Phone Calls, 13%
  • Telephone Calls, 9%
  • Front Desk, 4%
  • Computer System, 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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