How To Become A Switchboard Operator: What It Is and Career Path

What is a switchboard operator and how to become one

Updated January 8, 2025

4 min read

If you've got strong communication skills and enjoy speaking on the telephone, you're best suited for the switchboard operator job. Starting a job as a switchboard operator is an excellent way to begin a career in office administration, secretarial work, or customer service. Being a switchboard operator, you'll be the first point of contact between a company and the outside world. Your core duty is to ensure the incoming telephone calls are transferred, directed to the appropriate person or department.

Being a telecommunication professional generally, your main task is to answer and direct incoming telephone calls for a company or organization. While answering a telephone call, you may evaluate and identify its nature, provide any telephone assistance, and direct the call to the requested person or department. As a switchboard operator, your other main tasks are keeping a log of calls, updating the company's internal directory, working with front desk personnel, and general administrative duties.

The minimum requirement to become a switchboard operator is a high school diploma or equivalent qualification. However, attaining a course for switchboard operator or receptionist and experience with customer service or a call center may help raise you to potential employers. To be successful, you must possess excellent telecommunications skills and a solid ability to operate a telephone switchboard.

Being a switchboard operator, you may work in the company's contact or call center, offices, public or private businesses, hospitals, schools, and other professional practices. You may work full-time, part-time, or in flexible shifts. Working as a switchboard operator, you may take advantage of a range of career development opportunities. As you gain experience, you may become an administrative assistant or secretary.

ScoreSwitchboard OperatorUS Average

Salary

2.4

Avg. Salary $31,281

Avg. Salary $59,228

Diversity

3.5

Race

American Indian and Alaska Native 1.20%

Asian 3.94%

Black or African American 14.88%

Hispanic or Latino 14.11%

Unknown 3.60%

White 62.27%

Gender

female 86.81%

male 13.19%

Age - 57

Race

American Indian and Alaska Native 3.00%

Asian 7.00%

Black or African American 14.00%

Hispanic or Latino 19.00%

White 57.00%

Gender

female 47.00%

male 53.00%

Age - 57

Stress level

8.1

Stress level is high

7.1 - high

Complexity level

7.3

Complexity level is challenging

7 - challenging

Work life balance

10.0

Work life balance is excellent

6.4 - fair

Key steps to become a switchboard operator

Explore switchboard operator education requirements

Most common switchboard operator degrees

High School Diploma

30.9 %

Bachelor's

28.0 %

Associate

24.6 %

Start to develop specific switchboard operator skills

Skills	Percentages
Customer Service	22.16%
Patients	20.61%
Phone Calls	6.60%
Transferring Calls	4.05%
External Calls	3.64%

Complete relevant switchboard operator training and internships

Accountants spend an average of Less than 1 month on post-employment, on-the-job training. New switchboard operators learn the skills and techniques required for their job and employer during this time. The chart below shows how long it takes to gain competency as a switchboard operator based on U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics data and data from real switchboard operator resumes.

Gain additional switchboard operator certifications

Switchboard operator certifications can show employers you have a baseline of knowledge expected for the position. Certifications can also make you a more competitive candidate. Even if employers don't require a specific switchboard operator certification, having one may help you stand out relative to other applicants.

The most common certifications for switchboard operators include Certified Nurse Assistant (CNA) and Certified Medical Administrative Assistant (CMAA).

More About Certifications

Research switchboard operator duties and responsibilities

Develop QA survey to improve client satisfaction.
Compile inmate reports for payroll.
Assign new employee payroll numbers.
Connect customers with patients, doctors, and administrators and assist with emergency announcements

Prepare your switchboard operator resume

When your background is strong enough, you can start writing your switchboard operator resume.

You can use Zippia's AI resume builder to make the resume writing process easier while also making sure that you include key information that hiring managers expect to see on a switchboard operator resume. You'll find resume tips and examples of skills, responsibilities, and summaries, all provided by Zippi, your career sidekick.

Choose from 10+ customizable switchboard operator resume templates

Build a professional switchboard operator resume in minutes. Browse through our resume examples to identify the best way to word your resume. Then choose from 10+ resume templates to create your switchboard operator resume.