Switchboard receptionist vs switchboard operator

The differences between switchboard receptionists and switchboard operators 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 receptionist and a switchboard operator. Additionally, a switchboard receptionist has an average salary of $31,601, which is higher than the $31,281 average annual salary of a switchboard operator.

The top three skills for a switchboard receptionist include data entry, greeting visitors and front desk. The most important skills for a switchboard operator are customer service, patients, and phone calls.

Switchboard receptionist vs switchboard operator overview

	Switchboard Receptionist	Switchboard Operator
Yearly salary	$31,601	$31,281
Hourly rate	$15.19	$15.04
Growth rate	-	-
Number of jobs	27,914	39,152
Job satisfaction	-	-
Most common degree	High School Diploma, 34%	High School Diploma, 31%
Average age	42	53
Years of experience	2	2

Switchboard receptionist vs switchboard operator salary

Switchboard receptionists and switchboard operators have different pay scales, as shown below.

	Switchboard Receptionist	Switchboard Operator
Average salary	$31,601	$31,281
Salary range	Between $25,000 And $38,000	Between $25,000 And $38,000
Highest paying City	-	San Francisco, CA
Highest paying state	-	California
Best paying company	-	Sentry
Best paying industry	-	Manufacturing

Differences between switchboard receptionist and switchboard operator education

There are a few differences between a switchboard receptionist and a switchboard operator in terms of educational background:

	Switchboard Receptionist	Switchboard Operator
Most common degree	High School Diploma, 34%	High School Diploma, 31%
Most common major	Business	Business
Most common college	-	-

Switchboard receptionist vs switchboard operator demographics

Here are the differences between switchboard receptionists' and switchboard operators' demographics:

	Switchboard Receptionist	Switchboard Operator
Average age	42	53
Gender ratio	Male, 5.8% Female, 94.2%	Male, 13.2% Female, 86.8%
Race ratio	Black or African American, 11.1% Unknown, 4.1% Hispanic or Latino, 20.0% Asian, 5.9% White, 58.2% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.7%	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%
LGBT Percentage	6%	19%

Differences between switchboard receptionist and switchboard operator duties and responsibilities

Switchboard receptionist example responsibilities.

Assist office management and staff with administrative projects/responsibilities such as managing time-sensitive projects, filing, copying, and collating materials.
Assist office management and staff with administrative projects/responsibilities such as managing time-sensitive projects, filing, copying, and collating materials.
Provide efficient and professional telephone services in challenging mental health office while upholding confidentiality under HIPAA standards.

Switchboard operator example 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.

Switchboard receptionist vs switchboard operator skills

Common switchboard receptionist skills

Data Entry, 15%
Greeting Visitors, 14%
Front Desk, 12%
Scheduling Appointments, 11%
Telephone Calls, 9%
Multi-Line Phone System, 7%

Common switchboard operator skills

Customer Service, 22%
Patients, 21%
Phone Calls, 7%
Transferring Calls, 4%
External Calls, 4%
Multi-Line Phone System, 3%

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Office and Administrative Industry
Switchboard Receptionist
Switchboard Receptionist vs Switchboard Operator

Updated January 8, 2025

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