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Phone operator vs telephone switchboard operator

The differences between phone operators and telephone switchboard 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 telephone switchboard operator. Additionally, a telephone switchboard operator has an average salary of $30,681, 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 switchboard operator are telephone switchboard, on-call schedules, and customer service.

Phone operator vs telephone switchboard operator overview

Phone OperatorTelephone Switchboard Operator
Yearly salary$30,289$30,681
Hourly rate$14.56$14.75
Growth rate-4%-
Number of jobs87,48427,103
Job satisfaction-4
Most common degreeHigh School Diploma, 39%High School Diploma, 32%
Average age5353
Years of experience22

Phone operator vs telephone switchboard operator salary

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

Phone OperatorTelephone Switchboard Operator
Average salary$30,289$30,681
Salary rangeBetween $25,000 And $36,000Between $24,000 And $38,000
Highest paying City--
Highest paying state--
Best paying company--
Best paying industry--

Differences between phone operator and telephone switchboard operator education

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

Phone OperatorTelephone Switchboard Operator
Most common degreeHigh School Diploma, 39%High School Diploma, 32%
Most common majorBusinessBusiness
Most common college--

Phone operator vs telephone switchboard operator demographics

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

Phone OperatorTelephone Switchboard Operator
Average age5353
Gender ratioMale, 22.7% Female, 77.3%Male, 15.7% Female, 84.3%
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, 14.7% Unknown, 3.6% Hispanic or Latino, 15.9% Asian, 4.1% White, 60.5% American Indian and Alaska Native, 1.2%
LGBT Percentage19%19%

Differences between phone operator and telephone switchboard 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 switchboard operator example responsibilities.

  • Protect patient privacy by following HIPAA regulations, as well as maintaining confidential information within the hospital intranet.
  • Receive, answer and forward calls on a busy switchboard for doctors, attorneys and numerous businesses.
  • Work the operator switchboard answering incoming calls and place direct, third party, collect calls and provide customer assistance.
  • Monitor security equipment and train to contact APD when the situation call for it.
  • Maintain great customer relations with VIP arrivals

Phone operator vs telephone switchboard 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 switchboard operator skills
  • Telephone Switchboard, 36%
  • On-Call Schedules, 21%
  • Customer Service, 11%
  • Direct Calls, 8%
  • Inbound Calls, 6%
  • Front Desk, 5%

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Updated January 8, 2025

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