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Switchboard operator salary
Average switchboard operator salary
$15.04
Understanding Switchboard Operator Salaries
The role of a switchboard operator is essential for effective communication in various industries. As of October 2025, the average salary for this position is $31,281 per year or approximately $15 per hour. Salaries can differ based on geographic location, years of experience, and specific industry factors. For instance, operators with several years of experience often see better compensation.
Salary Variations by State
Switchboard operators in states like California and New York typically earn more than those in other regions. It is crucial to research local job markets to determine the salary range for switchboard operators in your area. This awareness can guide your job search and career progression.
Opportunities in Different Industries
Industries such as healthcare and telecommunications generally offer competitive salaries for switchboard operators. Job seekers should consider these sectors when exploring potential employment opportunities.
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Where can a Switchboard Operator earn more?
Switchboard operator salary estimates from across the web
Average switchboard operator salary by state
The average switchboard operator salary in California, North Dakota, and Minnesota are the highest in the U.S. The lowest average switchboard operator salary states are Florida, Georgia, and Mississippi.
- State view
- County view
Highest paying states for switchboard operators
| Rank | State | Avg. salary | Hourly rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Rhode Island | $36,081 | $17.35 |
| 2 | New York | $37,100 | $17.84 |
| 3 | Maine | $36,482 | $17.54 |
| 4 | Minnesota | $37,214 | $17.89 |
| 5 | Alaska | $34,468 | $16.57 |
| 6 | Nevada | $35,027 | $16.84 |
| 7 | California | $38,806 | $18.66 |
| 8 | Wisconsin | $33,555 | $16.13 |
| 9 | North Dakota | $37,492 | $18.02 |
| 10 | New Hampshire | $36,442 | $17.52 |
| 11 | Wyoming | $36,952 | $17.77 |
| 12 | Idaho | $35,988 | $17.30 |
| 13 | Connecticut | $35,726 | $17.18 |
| 14 | Washington | $36,481 | $17.54 |
| 15 | West Virginia | $31,408 | $15.10 |
| 16 | Massachusetts | $32,194 | $15.48 |
| 17 | Vermont | $36,641 | $17.62 |
| 18 | Delaware | $33,510 | $16.11 |
| 19 | Michigan | $32,096 | $15.43 |
| 20 | Pennsylvania | $33,030 | $15.88 |
| 21 | Montana | $31,386 | $15.09 |
| 22 | Oregon | $32,194 | $15.48 |
| 23 | Kentucky | $30,598 | $14.71 |
| 24 | District of Columbia | $32,467 | $15.61 |
| 25 | New Jersey | $30,895 | $14.85 |
| 26 | Kansas | $29,925 | $14.39 |
| 27 | Iowa | $28,906 | $13.90 |
| 28 | Colorado | $32,319 | $15.54 |
| 29 | Utah | $29,626 | $14.24 |
| 30 | Hawaii | $30,946 | $14.88 |
| 31 | Maryland | $29,078 | $13.98 |
| 32 | South Dakota | $29,886 | $14.37 |
| 33 | Alabama | $28,906 | $13.90 |
| 34 | Illinois | $30,663 | $14.74 |
| 35 | Indiana | $27,445 | $13.19 |
| 36 | Arizona | $27,817 | $13.37 |
| 37 | Ohio | $28,449 | $13.68 |
| 38 | Arkansas | $28,905 | $13.90 |
| 39 | Missouri | $28,127 | $13.52 |
| 40 | Florida | $26,286 | $12.64 |
| 41 | New Mexico | $28,522 | $13.71 |
| 42 | Tennessee | $24,192 | $11.63 |
| 43 | North Carolina | $28,154 | $13.54 |
| 44 | Oklahoma | $27,538 | $13.24 |
| 45 | Louisiana | $26,638 | $12.81 |
| 46 | South Carolina | $26,328 | $12.66 |
| 47 | Mississippi | $24,810 | $11.93 |
| 48 | Nebraska | $27,012 | $12.99 |
| 49 | Texas | $24,686 | $11.87 |
| 50 | Georgia | $24,950 | $12.00 |
| 51 | Virginia | $24,777 | $11.91 |
Highest paying cities for switchboard operators
The highest-paying cities for switchboard operators are San Francisco, CA, Buffalo, NY, and Everett, WA.
| Rank | City | Avg. salary | Hourly rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | San Francisco, CA | $40,516 | $19.48 |
| 2 | Buffalo, NY | $37,459 | $18.01 |
| 3 | Everett, WA | $36,698 | $17.64 |
| 4 | Mankato, MN | $36,653 | $17.62 |
| 5 | Bangor, ME | $36,245 | $17.43 |
| 6 | Wausau, WI | $34,677 | $16.67 |
| 7 | Scranton, PA | $34,120 | $16.40 |
| 8 | Denver, CO | $32,383 | $15.57 |
| 9 | Beverly, MA | $32,278 | $15.52 |
| 10 | Springfield, OR | $32,185 | $15.47 |
| 11 | Jersey City, NJ | $31,100 | $14.95 |
| 12 | Hoffman Estates, IL | $30,914 | $14.86 |
| 13 | Kansas City, KS | $29,979 | $14.41 |
| 14 | Salt Lake City, UT | $29,606 | $14.23 |
| 15 | Dubuque, IA | $29,097 | $13.99 |
| 16 | Jacksonville, NC | $28,130 | $13.52 |
| 17 | Cape Girardeau, MO | $27,600 | $13.27 |
| 18 | Cincinnati, OH | $27,422 | $13.18 |
| 19 | Jacksonville, FL | $26,529 | $12.75 |
| 20 | Florence, SC | $26,437 | $12.71 |
Switchboard operator salary details
A switchboard operator's salary ranges from $25,000 a year at the 10th percentile to $38,000 at the 90th percentile.
What is a switchboard operator's salary?
| Percentile | Annual salary | Monthly salary | Hourly rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| 90th Percentile | $38,000 | $3,167 | $18 |
| 75th Percentile | $34,000 | $2,833 | $16 |
| Average | $31,281 | $2,607 | $15 |
| 25th Percentile | $28,000 | $2,333 | $13 |
| 10th Percentile | $25,000 | $2,083 | $12 |
Highest paying switchboard operator jobs
The highest paying types of switchboard operators are central communications specialist, telecommunication operator, and switchboard operator assistant.
| Job title | Annual salary | Monthly salary | Hourly rate | Job openings |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Office Receptionist | $33,554 | $2,796 | $16.13 | 80,143 |
| Telecommunication Operator | $39,381 | $3,282 | $18.93 | 34,218 |
| Call Center Operator | $31,022 | $2,585 | $14.91 | 215,083 |
| Communications Operator | $31,491 | $2,624 | $15.14 | 48,509 |
| PBX Operator | $29,942 | $2,495 | $14.40 | 30,866 |
| Operator | $37,928 | $3,161 | $18.23 | 159,077 |
Top companies hiring switchboard operators now:
Which companies pay switchboard operators the most?
Switchboard operator salaries at Sentry and Central Virginia Health Services are the highest-paying according to our most recent salary estimates. In addition, the average switchboard operator salary at companies like Kohler Co. and Maine Health/maine Mental Health Partners are highly competitive.
| Rank | Company | Average salary | Hourly rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| 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 |
| 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 |
| 9 | Fairview Health Services | $34,677 | $16.67 |
| 10 | CVS Health | $34,375 | $16.53 |
| 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 |
| 18 | Sinai Chicago | $33,048 | $15.89 |
| 19 | Prime Healthcare | $33,029 | $15.88 |
| 20 | HD Supply | $32,813 | $15.78 |
Wage gap by gender, race and education
Switchboard Operator salary by industry
The average switchboard operator salary varies across industries:
- The average switchboard operator salary in the manufacturing industry is $31,898, the highest of any industry.
- The average switchboard operator salary in the finance industry is $31,636.
- Switchboard operators in the retail industry earn an average salary of $30,734, the lowest of any industry.
Highest paying industries for switchboard operators
| Rank | Industry | Average salary | Hourly rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Manufacturing | $31,898 | $15.34 |
| 2 | Hospitality | $31,636 | $15.21 |
| 3 | Health Care | $31,003 | $14.91 |
| 4 | Education | $30,899 | $14.86 |
| 5 | Finance | $30,828 | $14.82 |
| 6 | Retail | $30,734 | $14.78 |
High paying switchboard operator jobs
Switchboard operator salary trends
The average switchboard operator salary has risen by $6,081 over the last ten years. In 2014, the average switchboard operator earned $25,200 annually, but today, they earn $31,281 a year. That works out to a 12% change in pay for switchboard operators over the last decade.
Compare switchboard operator salaries for cities or states with the national average over time.
Average switchboard operator salary over time
Compare switchboard operator salaries for individual cities or states with the national average.
Switchboard operator salary by year
| Year | Avg. salary | Hourly rate | % Change |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | $31,300 | $15.04 | +2.6% |
| 2024 | $30,500 | $14.65 | +3.9% |
| 2023 | $29,300 | $14.08 | +2.4% |
| 2022 | $28,600 | $13.73 | +2.3% |
| 2021 | $27,900 | $13.41 | +2.1% |
Recently added switchboard operator salaries
| Company | Job | Location | Date added | Salary |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Cmh | Switchboard Operator | Lewiston, ME | 06/30/2025 | $38,088 |
| Sodexo | Switchboard Operator | Oklahoma City, OK | 06/27/2025 | $31,305 |
| Claxton-Hepburn Medical Center | CAH-Switchboard Operator | Carthage, NY | 06/24/2025 | $34,373 |
| Multicare Health System | Switchboard Operator | Yakima, WA | 06/24/2025 | $42,700 |
| Xanterra Parks & Resorts | Switchboard Operator-Grand Canyon South Rim | Grand Canyon Village, AZ | 06/20/2025 | $32,870 |
| Actalent | Switchboard Operator | Palatine, IL | 06/20/2025 | $39,653 |
| State of Florida | Switchboard Operator II | Gainesville, FL | 06/19/2025 | $33,760 |
| Mayo Clinic Health System | Switchboard Center Operator | Eau Claire, WI | 06/18/2025 | $41,740 |
| Guthrie North America Inc. | Switchboard Operator-Telecommunications | Binghamton, NY | 06/17/2025 | $35,479 |
| Saratoga Hospital | Switchboard Operator | Saratoga Springs, NY | 06/12/2025 | $36,001 |
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