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The differences between switchboard operators and central communications specialists can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. It typically takes 1-2 years to become both a switchboard operator and a central communications specialist. Additionally, a central communications specialist has an average salary of $41,083, which is higher than the $31,281 average annual salary of a switchboard operator.
The top three skills for a switchboard operator include customer service, patients and phone calls. The most important skills for a central communications specialist are customer service, data entry, and traffic flow.
| Switchboard Operator | Central Communications Specialist | |
| Yearly salary | $31,281 | $41,083 |
| Hourly rate | $15.04 | $19.75 |
| Growth rate | - | 8% |
| Number of jobs | 39,152 | 63,117 |
| Job satisfaction | - | - |
| Most common degree | High School Diploma, 31% | Bachelor's Degree, 47% |
| Average age | 53 | 53 |
| Years of experience | 2 | 2 |
Switchboard operators work to assist callers in huge hospitals, hotels, and companies. The operators answer calls and route them to the necessary department or person to address their concerns. They perform clerical and administrative tasks like copying, receiving packages, and filing documents. Among the skills to become a good switchboard operator include attention to details, communication skills, and understanding of troubleshooting systems in communication. They should also have strong communication skills, clear speech and listening skills, and excellent customer service.
A central communications specialist is in charge of overseeing the public and media relations of an organization. Although their duties may vary upon their company or industry of employment, it usually involves handling media requests and press releases, developing newsletters and press kits, facilitating communication lines with clients, and coordinating with media partners and advertising agencies. Moreover, in some companies, a central communications specialist may also participate in utilizing social media and other web platform strategies to raise brand awareness and public interest.
Switchboard operators and central communications specialists have different pay scales, as shown below.
| Switchboard Operator | Central Communications Specialist | |
| Average salary | $31,281 | $41,083 |
| Salary range | Between $25,000 And $38,000 | Between $31,000 And $53,000 |
| Highest paying City | San Francisco, CA | Portland, OR |
| Highest paying state | California | California |
| Best paying company | Sentry | BMO Capital Markets |
| Best paying industry | Manufacturing | - |
There are a few differences between a switchboard operator and a central communications specialist in terms of educational background:
| Switchboard Operator | Central Communications Specialist | |
| Most common degree | High School Diploma, 31% | Bachelor's Degree, 47% |
| Most common major | Business | Business |
| Most common college | - | - |
Here are the differences between switchboard operators' and central communications specialists' demographics:
| Switchboard Operator | Central Communications Specialist | |
| Average age | 53 | 53 |
| Gender ratio | Male, 13.2% Female, 86.8% | Male, 41.9% Female, 58.1% |
| Race ratio | Black or African American, 14.9% Unknown, 3.6% Hispanic or Latino, 14.1% Asian, 3.9% White, 62.3% American Indian and Alaska Native, 1.2% | Black or African American, 14.3% Unknown, 3.6% Hispanic or Latino, 18.3% Asian, 3.2% White, 59.4% American Indian and Alaska Native, 1.2% |
| LGBT Percentage | 19% | 19% |