How to hire a switchboard operator

How to hire a switchboard operator, step by step

Here's a step-by-step switchboard operator hiring guide:

• Step 1: Identify your hiring needs
• Step 2: Create an ideal candidate profile
• Step 3: Make a budget
• Step 4: Write a switchboard operator job description
• Step 5: Post your job
• Step 6: Interview candidates
• Step 7: Send a job offer and onboard your new switchboard operator
• Step 8: Go through the hiring process checklist

What does a switchboard operator do?

Post a switchboard operator job for free, promote it for a fee

Post free

1. Identify your hiring needs

   Before you start hiring a switchboard operator, identify what type of worker you actually need. Certain positions might call for a full-time employee, while others can be done by a part-time worker or contractor.

   Determine employee vs contractor status

   Is the person you're thinking of hiring a US citizen or green card holder?

   Yes

   No

   A switchboard operator's background is also an important factor in determining whether they'll be a good fit for the position. For example, switchboard operators from different industries or fields will have radically different experiences and will bring different viewpoints to the role. You also need to consider the candidate's previous level of experience to make sure they'll be comfortable with the job's level of seniority.

   This list shows salaries for various types of switchboard operators.

   Type of Switchboard Operator	Description	Hourly rate
   Switchboard Operator		$12-18
   Office Receptionist	An office receptionist, or administrative assistant, performs various administrative tasks for an organization. These tasks may include answering phone calls, providing the public and customers with information, and warmly welcoming, greeting, and directing visitors or guests accordingly... Show more	$12-19
   Telecommunication Operator	A Telecommunication Operator handles all incoming calls and transfers them when necessary to appropriate quarters. As a Telecommunication operator, you will be tasked with responding to inquiries, answering messages, and passing along communication to the right individuals... Show more	$14-24

   Show more

2. Create an ideal candidate profile

   Common skills:

   • Customer Service
   • Patients
   • Phone Calls
   • Transferring Calls
   • External Calls
   • Multi-Line Phone System
   • Emergency Codes
   • PBX
   • Two-Way Radio
   • Emergency Situations
   • Front Desk
   • Direct Calls
   • HIPAA
   • Computer System

   Check all skills

   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
   • Confirm appointments and communicate any changes or cancellations to all patients and administration personnel.
   • Supervise telecommunication operations and reinforce the confidentiality in telecommunications.

   More switchboard operator duties

3. Make a budget

   Including a salary range in the switchboard operator job description is a good way to get more applicants. A switchboard operator salary can be affected by several factors, such as the location of the job, the level of experience, education, certifications, and the employer's prestige.

   For example, the average salary for a switchboard operator in Florida may be lower than in California, and an entry-level engineer typically earns less than a senior-level switchboard operator. Additionally, a switchboard operator with lots of experience in the field may command a higher salary as a result.

   Average switchboard operator salary

   $15.04hourly

   $31,281 yearly

   ---

   Entry-level switchboard operator salary

   $25,000 yearly salary

   Updated December 15, 2025

   Average switchboard operator salary by state

   Rank	State	Avg. salary	Hourly rate
   1	California	$40,516	$19
   2	New York	$37,459	$18
   3	Washington	$36,698	$18
   4	Minnesota	$36,653	$18
   5	Maine	$36,245	$17
   6	Wisconsin	$34,677	$17
   7	Pennsylvania	$34,120	$16
   8	Colorado	$32,383	$16
   9	Massachusetts	$32,278	$16
   10	Oregon	$32,185	$15
   11	New Jersey	$31,100	$15
   12	Illinois	$30,914	$15
   13	Kansas	$29,979	$14
   14	Utah	$29,606	$14
   15	Iowa	$29,097	$14
   16	North Carolina	$28,130	$14
   17	Missouri	$27,600	$13
   18	Ohio	$27,422	$13
   19	Florida	$26,529	$13
   20	South Carolina	$26,437	$13

   Average switchboard operator salary by company

   Company

   Rank	Company	Average salary	Hourly rate	Job openings
   1	Sentry	$38,479	$18.50
   2	Central Virginia Health Services	$38,434	$18.48
   3	Kohler Co.	$37,368	$17.97
   4	Maine Health/maine Mental Health Partners	$35,523	$17.08	7
   5	American Addiction Centers	$35,390	$17.01
   6	Hancock Wellness	$35,250	$16.95
   7	Lahey Health Behavioral Services	$35,110	$16.88
   8	Mayo Clinic	$34,760	$16.71	23
   9	Fairview Health Services	$34,677	$16.67	5
   10	CVS Health	$34,375	$16.53	36
   11	Spaulding Rehabilitation Hospital	$34,263	$16.47
   12	TechLink Services	$34,056	$16.37
   13	Milwaukee County	$33,577	$16.14
   14	Ethos Veterinary Health	$33,436	$16.07
   15	Medical University of South Carolina	$33,358	$16.04
   16	Catholic Health East	$33,280	$16.00
   17	Cancer Treatment Centers of America	$33,167	$15.95	1
   18	Sinai Chicago	$33,048	$15.89
   19	Prime Healthcare	$33,029	$15.88	5
   20	HD Supply	$32,813	$15.78	1

4. Writing a switchboard operator job description

   A good switchboard operator job description should include a few things:

   • Summary of the role
   • List of responsibilities
   • Required skills and experience

   Including a salary range and the first name of the hiring manager is also appreciated by candidates. Here's an example of a switchboard operator job description:

   Switchboard operator job description example

   Operates a switchboard or telephone console to route incoming calls and place outgoing calls. Relies on instructions and pre-established guidelines to perform the functions of the job. Works under immediate supervision. Primary job functions do not typically require exercising independent judgment. Typically reports to a supervisor or manager. Requires a high school diploma or its equivalent with at least 1 year of experience in the field or in a related area. Has knowledge of commonly-used concepts, practices, and procedures within a particular field.
   
   Dreaming of living in paradise? Want to join a team delivering unmatched patient care? Enjoy leading an incredible team? If so, we have the perfect role for you!
   
   What We Stand For: Lower Keys Medical Center is committed to the delivery of consistent quality services in a safe and fiscally responsible manner that meet the needs of patients, physicians, employees and our community; and to the maintenance of an environment that encourages individual development, teamwork and pride with compassion and respect for each person.
   
   What We Do: Lower Keys Medical Center (LKMC) is a 167 bed, full service, Joint Commission accredited, outstanding, acute care medical facility with a
   * 24/7 emergency room
   * 24/7 laboratory
   * 24/7 radiology services
   * 24/7 specially equipped medical transport helicopter
   
   LKMC is also proud to be the only hospital in the Florida Keys that offers labor and delivery services. We also offer physical therapy in Key West using a multi-joint strength system, in addition to other innovative systems and equipment for customized rehabilitation.
   
   LKMC is fully accredited by the State of Florida and the gold standard, The Joint Commission.
   
   What Does a Switchboard Operator Do?: As a Switchboard Operator with Lower Keys Medical Center, you will spend your day…
   
   * Operating a switchboard or telephone console to route incoming calls and place outgoing calls.
   * Rely on instructions and pre-established guidelines to perform the functions of this job.
   * Typically reports to a supervisor or manager.
   
   What's In It For You?: Joining the LKMC team gives you an unmatched experience of being a part of something much larger, growth potential, full benefits package, competitive salary, etc.
   
   Which Qualifications Do You Need?: In order to set you up for success, you need the basics of…
   
   * Requires a high school diploma or its equivalent.
   * Experience in this field, a related area, or customer service environment preferred.
   * Has knowledge of commonly-used concepts, practices, and procedures within this particular field.
   
   Lower Key Medical Center is an EEO/Affirmative Action Employer and does not discriminate on the basis of age, race, color, religion, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, national origin, protected veteran status, disability or any other legally protected status.

   Copy this example

   

5. Post your job

   To find switchboard operators for your business, try out a few different recruiting strategies:

   • Consider internal talent. One of the most important talent pools for any company is its current employees.
   • Ask for referrals. Reach out to friends, family members, and your current work to ask if they know any switchboard operators they would recommend.
   • Recruit at local colleges. Attend job fairs at local colleges to recruit entry-level switchboard operators with the right educational background.
   • Social media platforms. LinkedIn, Facebook, and Twitter have more than 3.5 billion users, and they're a great place for company branding and reaching potential job candidates.

   Post your job online:

   • Post your switchboard operator job on Zippia to find and recruit switchboard operator candidates who meet your exact specifications.
   • Use field-specific websites.
   • Post a job on free websites.

6. Interview candidates

   Your first interview with switchboard operator candidates should focus on their interest in the role and background experience. As the hiring process goes on, you can learn more about how they'd fit into the company culture in later rounds of interviews.

   It's also good to ask about candidates' unique skills and talents to see if they match your ideal candidate profile. If you think a candidate is good enough for the next step, you can move on to the technical interview.

   The right interview questions can help you assess a candidate's hard skills, behavioral intelligence, and soft skills.

7. Send a job offer and onboard your new switchboard operator

   Once you've selected the best switchboard operator candidate for the job, it's time to write an offer letter. In addition to salary, this letter should include details about the benefits and perks you offer the candidate. Ensuring that your offer is competitive is essential, as qualified candidates may be considering other job opportunities. The candidate may wish to negotiate the terms of the offer, and you should be open to discussion. After you reach an agreement, the final step is formalizing the agreement with a contract.

   It's also good etiquette to follow up with applicants who don't get the job by sending them an email letting them know that the position has been filled.

   To prepare for the new employee's start date, you can create an onboarding schedule and complete any necessary paperwork, such as employee action forms and onboarding documents like I-9 forms, benefits enrollment, and federal and state tax forms. Human Resources should also ensure that a new employee file is created.

8. Go through the hiring process checklist

   • Determine employee type (full-time, part-time, contractor, etc.)
   • Submit a job requisition form to the HR department
   • Define job responsibilities and requirements
   • Establish budget and timeline
   • Determine hiring decision makers for the role
   • Write job description
   • Post job on job boards, company website, etc.
   • Promote the job internally
   • Process applications through applicant tracking system
   • Review resumes and cover letters
   • Shortlist candidates for screening
   • Hold phone/virtual interview screening with first round of candidates
   • Conduct in-person interviews with top candidates from first round
   • Score candidates based on weighted criteria (e.g., experience, education, background, cultural fit, skill set, etc.)
   • Conduct background checks on top candidates
   • Check references of top candidates
   • Consult with HR and hiring decision makers on job offer specifics
   • Extend offer to top candidate(s)
   • Receive formal job offer acceptance and signed employment contract
   • Inform other candidates that the position has been filled
   • Set and communicate onboarding schedule to new hire(s)
   • Complete new hire paperwork (i9, benefits enrollment, tax forms, etc.)

   Sign up to download full list

   Sign up

How much does it cost to hire a switchboard operator?