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As of October 2025, the average salary for a Central Communications Specialist is $41,083 annually or approximately $20 per hour. Various factors influence this figure, including geographic location, years of experience, and the specific industry. For instance, specialists in urban areas often report higher salaries due to increased demand and cost of living adjustments.
Experience plays a crucial role in salary progression. Entry-level positions might start lower, while those with more years in the field can command significantly higher wages. Additionally, specialists working in sectors like healthcare or technology tend to earn more than those in non-profit organizations.
For those seeking positions, major metropolitan areas often have a higher concentration of job openings. Cities such as New York, San Francisco, and Chicago typically offer more competitive salaries due to their dynamic markets. Exploring various industries can also uncover lucrative opportunities for career advancement.
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The average central communications specialist salary in California, Minnesota, and Connecticut are the highest in the U.S. The lowest average central communications specialist salary states are Michigan, Tennessee, and Mississippi.
| Rank | State | Avg. salary | Hourly rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Wyoming | $46,522 | $22.37 |
| 2 | Delaware | $46,198 | $22.21 |
| 3 | Nevada | $45,570 | $21.91 |
| 4 | New Hampshire | $45,263 | $21.76 |
| 5 | Rhode Island | $47,136 | $22.66 |
| 6 | Connecticut | $47,596 | $22.88 |
| 7 | Vermont | $44,246 | $21.27 |
| 8 | Minnesota | $48,088 | $23.12 |
| 9 | Massachusetts | $46,341 | $22.28 |
| 10 | New York | $46,236 | $22.23 |
| 11 | Idaho | $43,999 | $21.15 |
| 12 | West Virginia | $43,876 | $21.09 |
| 13 | Maine | $43,471 | $20.90 |
| 14 | California | $49,222 | $23.66 |
| 15 | District of Columbia | $45,280 | $21.77 |
| 16 | Pennsylvania | $44,979 | $21.62 |
| 17 | Washington | $44,702 | $21.49 |
| 18 | Arizona | $42,736 | $20.55 |
| 19 | Oregon | $43,500 | $20.91 |
| 20 | Kentucky | $42,603 | $20.48 |
| 21 | South Dakota | $38,560 | $18.54 |
| 22 | Arkansas | $40,240 | $19.35 |
| 23 | New Mexico | $41,046 | $19.73 |
| 24 | Hawaii | $40,506 | $19.47 |
| 25 | Iowa | $38,236 | $18.38 |
| 26 | Alabama | $41,189 | $19.80 |
| 27 | Montana | $38,934 | $18.72 |
| 28 | Kansas | $40,239 | $19.35 |
| 29 | Nebraska | $38,361 | $18.44 |
| 30 | Maryland | $40,395 | $19.42 |
| 31 | Alaska | $39,125 | $18.81 |
| 32 | Colorado | $42,442 | $20.40 |
| 33 | New Jersey | $41,919 | $20.15 |
| 34 | Illinois | $41,469 | $19.94 |
| 35 | Louisiana | $38,170 | $18.35 |
| 36 | Ohio | $39,095 | $18.80 |
| 37 | Indiana | $37,744 | $18.15 |
| 38 | Virginia | $37,256 | $17.91 |
| 39 | Texas | $38,194 | $18.36 |
| 40 | North Dakota | $33,781 | $16.24 |
| 41 | Georgia | $37,916 | $18.23 |
| 42 | Missouri | $38,163 | $18.35 |
| 43 | Florida | $36,182 | $17.40 |
| 44 | Utah | $35,922 | $17.27 |
| 45 | South Carolina | $37,811 | $18.18 |
| 46 | Michigan | $35,788 | $17.21 |
| 47 | Wisconsin | $36,580 | $17.59 |
| 48 | North Carolina | $33,786 | $16.24 |
| 49 | Tennessee | $35,554 | $17.09 |
| 50 | Mississippi | $35,264 | $16.95 |
| 51 | Oklahoma | $30,610 | $14.72 |
The highest-paying cities for central communications specialists are Portland, OR, Covington, KY, and Chandler, AZ.
| Rank | City | Avg. salary | Hourly rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Portland, OR | $43,420 | $20.88 |
| 2 | Covington, KY | $43,152 | $20.75 |
| 3 | Chandler, AZ | $42,704 | $20.53 |
| 4 | Highlands Ranch, CO | $42,405 | $20.39 |
| 5 | Naperville, IL | $41,581 | $19.99 |
| 6 | Birmingham, AL | $41,113 | $19.77 |
| 7 | Milwaukee, WI | $36,653 | $17.62 |
| 8 | Charlotte, NC | $33,619 | $16.16 |
A central communications specialist's salary ranges from $31,000 a year at the 10th percentile to $53,000 at the 90th percentile.

| Percentile | Annual salary | Monthly salary | Hourly rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| 90th Percentile | $53,000 | $4,417 | $25 |
| 75th Percentile | $47,000 | $3,917 | $23 |
| Average | $41,083 | $3,424 | $20 |
| 25th Percentile | $35,000 | $2,917 | $17 |
| 10th Percentile | $31,000 | $2,583 | $15 |
The highest paying types of central communications specialists are staff specialist, specialist, and communications specialist.
| Job title | Annual salary | Monthly salary | Hourly rate | Job openings |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Switchboard Operator | $31,281 | $2,607 | $15.04 | 39,152 |
| Service Operator | $36,971 | $3,081 | $17.77 | 87,078 |
| Phone Operator | $30,289 | $2,524 | $14.56 | 87,484 |
| PBX Operator | $29,942 | $2,495 | $14.40 | 30,866 |
| Call Center Operator | $31,022 | $2,585 | $14.91 | 215,083 |
| Telecommunication Operator | $39,381 | $3,282 | $18.93 | 34,218 |
How would you rate the starting salaries for central communications specialists, as well as the prospects for salary advancement?
Dr. Kate Seltzer Ph.D.
Assistant Professor, Rowan University
Top companies hiring central communications specialists now:
Central communications specialist salaries at BMO Capital Markets and Health Research, Inc. are the highest-paying according to our most recent salary estimates. In addition, the average central communications specialist salary at companies like Northwestern Mutual and FCA US LLC are highly competitive.
| Rank | Company | Average salary | Hourly rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | BMO Capital Markets | $69,713 | $33.52 |
| 2 | Health Research, Inc. | $56,585 | $27.20 |
| 3 | Northwestern Mutual | $47,699 | $22.93 |
| 4 | FCA US LLC | $46,820 | $22.51 |
| 5 | Oregon Health & Science University | $43,633 | $20.98 |
| 6 | Americorps | $41,333 | $19.87 |
| 7 | Lendmark Financial | $40,975 | $19.70 |
| 8 | Bank of America | $40,560 | $19.50 |
| 9 | United Dominion Realty Trust | $40,063 | $19.26 |
| 10 | Hy-Vee | $39,623 | $19.05 |
| 11 | Salt & Straw | $34,506 | $16.59 |
The average central communications specialist salary has risen by $7,986 over the last ten years. In 2014, the average central communications specialist earned $33,097 annually, but today, they earn $41,083 a year. That works out to a 12% change in pay for central communications specialists over the last decade.
Compare central communications specialist salaries for cities or states with the national average over time.
Compare central communications specialist salaries for individual cities or states with the national average.
| Year | Avg. salary | Hourly rate | % Change |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 | $41,100 | $19.75 | +2.6% |
| 2025 | $40,000 | $19.24 | +3.9% |
| 2024 | $38,500 | $18.49 | +2.4% |
| 2023 | $37,500 | $18.04 | +2.3% |
| 2022 | $36,600 | $17.61 | +2.1% |
| Company | Job | Location | Date added | Salary |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Soleo Health | Clearance Specialist-Central Standard Time Zone | Frisco, TX | 06/25/2025 | $43,827 |
| Manhattan College | Jasper Central Specialist (Student Account Specialist) | New York, NY | 05/25/2025 | $53,000 |
| GE Vernova | NDT Specialist-Central NDT | Schenectady, NY | 03/13/2025 | $65,600 |
| Northwestern Mutual | Centralized Supervision Specialist | Milwaukee, WI | 01/29/2025 | $52,220 |
| Teach In Hawaii | Communication Aide-Central District Office | Hawaii | 01/29/2025 | $37,803 |
| 3M Company | Abrasives Specialist-Central/Southern CT, NYC, Long Island | Noank, CT | 10/26/2024 | $85,839 |
| Northwestern Mutual | Centralized Supervision Specialist | Milwaukee, WI | 10/10/2024 | $51,170 |
| Manhattan University | Jasper Central Specialist | New York, NY | 09/11/2024 | $50,000 |
| Aledade, Inc. | Practice Transformation Specialist, NE & Central North Carolina | Durham, NC | 09/11/2024 | $70,000 |
| Marriott International, Inc. | Communications Agent-The Ritz-Carlton New York Central Park | New York, NY | 05/31/2024 | $76,238 |
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