Switchboard operator demographics and statistics in the US
Switchboard operator demographics research summary. Zippia estimates switchboard operator demographics and statistics in the United States by using a database of 30 million profiles. Our switchboard operator estimates are verified against BLS, Census, and current job openings data for accuracy. Zippia's data science team found the following key facts about switchboard operators after extensive research and analysis:
- There are over 33,400 switchboard operators currently employed in the United States.
- 86.8% of all switchboard operators are women, while 13.2% are men.
- The average switchboard operator age is 53 years old.
- The most common ethnicity of switchboard operators is White (62.3%), followed by Black or African American (14.9%), Hispanic or Latino (14.1%) and Asian (3.9%).
- Switchboard operators are most in-demand in Lexington, KY.
- The manufacturing industry is the highest-paying for switchboard operators.
- San Francisco, CA pays an annual average wage of $40,516, the highest in the US.
- In 2022, women switchboard operators earned 99% of what men earned.
- 19% of all switchboard operators are LGBT.
- Rhode Island is the best state for switchboard operators to live.
- Switchboard operators are 55% more likely to work at private companies in comparison to education companies.
On this page
Switchboard operator demographics by:
Switchboard operator gender statistics
86.8% of switchboard operators are women and 13.2% of switchboard operators are men.
- Female, 86.8%
- Male, 13.2%
Switchboard operator gender ratio
| Gender | Percentages |
|---|---|
| Female | 86.8% |
| Male | 13.2% |
Switchboard operator gender pay gap
Women earn 99¢ for every $1 earned by men
Male income
$32,001
Female income
$31,604
Switchboard operator gender ratio over time
This data breaks down the percentage of men and women in switchboard operator positions over time. Currently, 86.8% of switchboard operators are female.
Switchboard operator gender ratio by year
| Year | Male | Female |
|---|---|---|
| 2010 | 15.11% | 84.89% |
| 2011 | 16.23% | 83.77% |
| 2012 | 15.24% | 84.76% |
| 2013 | 17.46% | 82.54% |
| 2014 | 15.33% | 84.67% |
| 2015 | 17.06% | 82.94% |
| 2016 | 19.10% | 80.90% |
| 2017 | 15.78% | 84.22% |
| 2018 | 15.11% | 84.89% |
| 2019 | 22.96% | 77.04% |
| 2020 | 24.53% | 75.47% |
| 2021 | 13.19% | 86.81% |
Switchboard operator related jobs gender ratio
We compared switchboard operators with similar job titles to see how gender ratios vary. As you can see, tandem operator and feeder switchboard operator have the biggest gender ratio gaps.
| Job title | Male | Female |
|---|---|---|
| Switchboard Operator, Receptionist | 6% | 94% |
| Complaint Operator | 9% | 91% |
| Switchboard Operator | 13% | 87% |
| Interceptor Operator | 77% | 23% |
| Feeder Switchboard Operator | 83% | 17% |
| Tandem Operator | 90% | 10% |
Male
Female
100%
75%
50%
25%
0%
0%
25%
50%
75%
100%
Switchboard operator demographics by race
The most common ethnicity among switchboard operators is White, which makes up 62.3% of all switchboard operators. Comparatively, 14.9% of switchboard operators are Black or African American and 14.1% of switchboard operators are Hispanic or Latino.
- White, 62.3%
- Black or African American, 14.9%
- Hispanic or Latino, 14.1%
- Asian, 3.9%
- Unknown, 3.6%
- American Indian and Alaska Native, 1.2%
Switchboard operator race
| Switchboard operator race | Percentages |
|---|---|
| White | 62.3% |
| Black or African American | 14.9% |
| Hispanic or Latino | 14.1% |
| Asian | 3.9% |
| Unknown | 3.6% |
| American Indian and Alaska Native | 1.2% |
Switchboard operator race and ethnicity over time
See how switchboard operator racial and ethnic diversity trended since 2010 according to the United States Census Bureau data.
Switchboard operator race and ethnicity by year
| Year | White | Black or African American | Asian | Hispanic or Latino |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2010 | 67.52% | 13.56% | 3.02% | 13.86% |
| 2011 | 64.03% | 13.79% | 5.57% | 14.50% |
| 2012 | 63.49% | 17.22% | 3.17% | 11.85% |
| 2013 | 65.27% | 16.10% | 2.64% | 13.63% |
| 2014 | 63.92% | 13.40% | 3.87% | 15.36% |
| 2015 | 63.44% | 14.92% | 5.52% | 13.83% |
| 2016 | 60.93% | 14.58% | 4.03% | 17.00% |
| 2017 | 65.60% | 16.78% | 3.64% | 9.62% |
| 2018 | 66.43% | 14.01% | 3.95% | 12.82% |
| 2019 | 60.53% | 17.87% | 4.80% | 13.15% |
| 2020 | 55.65% | 15.81% | 3.82% | 17.12% |
| 2021 | 62.27% | 14.88% | 3.94% | 14.11% |
Switchboard operator wage gap by race
According to our data, hispanic or latino switchboard operators have the highest average salary compared to other ethnicities. Black or african american switchboard operators have the lowest average salary at $31,558.
| Ethnicity | Salary |
|---|---|
| Unknown | $31,846 |
| White | $32,010 |
| Black or African American | $31,558 |
| Asian | $32,086 |
| Hispanic or Latino | $32,514 |
Average switchboard operator age
See how the average age of switchboard operators varies based on ethnicity and gender.
Male
Female
Switchboard operator age by race and gender
| Race | Male age | Female age |
|---|---|---|
| White | 59 | |
| Black or African American | 53 | |
| Hispanic or Latino | 51 |
Switchboard operator age breakdown
The average age of switchboard operators is 40+ years years old, representing 82% of the switchboard operator population.
Switchboard operator age breakdown
| Switchboard Operator Years | Percentages |
|---|---|
| 40+ years | 82% |
| 30-40 years | 12% |
| 20-30 years | 6% |
Switchboard operator educational attainment
The most common degree for switchboard operators is high school diploma, with 31% of switchboard operators earning that degree. The second and third most common degree levels are bachelor's degree degree at 28% and bachelor's degree degree at 25%.
- High School Diploma, 31%
- Bachelor's, 28%
- Associate, 25%
- Diploma, 8%
- Other Degrees, 8%
Switchboard operators by degree level
| Switchboard operator degree | Percentages |
|---|---|
| High School Diploma | 31% |
| Bachelor's | 28% |
| Associate | 25% |
| Diploma | 8% |
| Other Degrees | 8% |
Switchboard operator jobs you might like
Switchboard operator employment statistics
Most switchboard operators work for a private in the health care industry.
Company size where switchboard operators work
Below, you can see the size of companies where switchboard operators work.
Switchboard operator jobs by employer size
| Company size | Percentages |
|---|---|
| < 50 employees | 5% |
| 50 - 100 employees | 10% |
| 100 - 500 employees | 17% |
| 500 - 1,000 employees | 11% |
| 1,000 - 10,000 employees | 37% |
| > 10,000 employees | 22% |
Switchboard operator jobs by company type
Employees with the switchboard operator job title have their preferences when it comes to working for a company. For instance, most switchboard operators prefer to work at private companies over education companies.
Switchboard operator jobs by sector
| Company type | Percentages |
|---|---|
| Education | 20% |
| Public | 19% |
| Private | 55% |
| Government | 5% |
Switchboard operator jobs by industry
The most common industries for switchboard operators are health care, education and finance.
Switchboard operator industry statistics
| Industry | Percentages |
|---|---|
| Health Care | 37% |
| Education | 15% |
| Fortune 500 | 11% |
| Professional | 5% |
| Retail | 5% |
| Finance | 5% |
| Government | 4% |
| Hospitality | 3% |
| Technology | 3% |
| Insurance | 3% |
| Non Profits | 2% |
| Media | 1% |
| Transportation | 1% |
| Telecommunication | 1% |
| Automotive | 1% |
| Manufacturing | 1% |
Switchboard operator turnover and employment statistics
Switchboard operator unemployment rate over time
The unemployment rate for switchboard operators between 2008 and the most recent data has varied, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics.
Switchboard operator unemployment rate by year
| Year | Switchboard operator unemployment rate |
|---|---|
| 2010 | 9.91% |
| 2011 | 10.86% |
| 2012 | 9.07% |
| 2013 | 9.46% |
| 2014 | 8.20% |
| 2015 | 6.13% |
| 2016 | 5.22% |
| 2017 | 4.58% |
| 2018 | 4.44% |
| 2019 | 3.88% |
| 2020 | 4.57% |
| 2021 | 10.47% |
Average switchboard operator tenure
The average switchboard operator stays at their job for 1-2 years, based on the 11,822 switchboard operators resumes in Zippia's database.
Switchboard operator tenure statistics
| Number of years | Percentages |
|---|---|
| Less than 1 year | 24% |
| 1-2 years | 36% |
| 3-4 years | 15% |
| 5-7 years | 13% |
| 8-10 years | 4% |
| 11+ years | 7% |
Switchboard operator LGBT ratio compared to similar jobs
Review the percent of switchboard operators that are members of the LGBT community. You can see how this compares to similar jobs in the chart below.
| Job title | LGBT | Job openings |
|---|---|---|
| Emergency Dispatcher | 6.75% | 29,409 |
| Tax Clerk | 6.76% | 93,267 |
| Administrative Assistant To Vice President | 7.79% | 30,929 |
| Postal Clerk | 8.68% | 93,101 |
| Loan Coordinator | 9.31% | 24,765 |
| Live Source Operator | 10.75% | 27,745 |
| Switchboard Operator | 19.13% | - |
Similar switchboard operator jobs LGBT demographics
| Profession | Percentages of LGBT | Job openings |
|---|---|---|
| Emergency Dispatcher | 6.75% | 29,409 |
| Tax Clerk | 6.76% | 93,267 |
| Administrative Assistant To Vice President | 7.79% | 30,929 |
| Postal Clerk | 8.68% | 93,101 |
| Loan Coordinator | 9.31% | 24,765 |
| Live Source Operator | 10.75% | 27,745 |
Foreign languages spoken by switchboard operators
The most common foreign language among switchboard operators is Spanish at 77.0%. The second-most popular foreign language spoken is French at 6.4% and German is the third-most popular at 3.2%.
- Spanish, 77.0%
- French, 6.4%
- German, 3.2%
- Italian, 2.8%
- Gujarati, 1.1%
- Other, 9.5%
Switchboard operator languages spoken
| Foreign language | Percentages |
|---|---|
| Spanish | 77.0% |
| French | 6.4% |
| German | 3.2% |
| Italian | 2.8% |
| Gujarati | 1.1% |
| Other | 9.5% |
