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The average salary for a Telecommunication Operator is approximately $39,381 per year, with hourly rates around $19. Salaries can fluctuate based on several factors, including geographic location, years of experience, and specialized skills. For instance, telecommunication operators in urban areas often earn more due to higher demand and cost of living adjustments.
In addition to salary, numerous job opportunities exist in various sectors such as government, telecommunications, and emergency services. Operators may find roles that offer benefits like health insurance, retirement plans, and professional development programs.
To maximize earning potential, operators should consider gaining additional certifications or experience in advanced telecommunications technologies. This can not only enhance job prospects but also pave the way for roles in management or specialized technical positions.
Regions such as California and New York generally offer the highest salaries for telecommunication operators, largely due to the concentration of tech firms and communication companies. Exploring job boards and networking within the industry can provide insights into lucrative opportunities.
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The average telecommunication operator salary in Minnesota, California, and New York are the highest in the U.S. The lowest average telecommunication operator salary states are Utah, North Dakota, and Mississippi.
| Rank | State | Avg. salary | Hourly rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Rhode Island | $45,187 | $21.72 |
| 2 | Massachusetts | $45,351 | $21.80 |
| 3 | New Hampshire | $45,444 | $21.85 |
| 4 | Vermont | $45,350 | $21.80 |
| 5 | Nevada | $43,390 | $20.86 |
| 6 | Wyoming | $45,925 | $22.08 |
| 7 | California | $47,502 | $22.84 |
| 8 | New York | $47,439 | $22.81 |
| 9 | Minnesota | $47,617 | $22.89 |
| 10 | Kentucky | $41,555 | $19.98 |
| 11 | Maine | $45,290 | $21.77 |
| 12 | West Virginia | $42,434 | $20.40 |
| 13 | District of Columbia | $43,180 | $20.76 |
| 14 | Idaho | $42,791 | $20.57 |
| 15 | Washington | $44,868 | $21.57 |
| 16 | Pennsylvania | $42,350 | $20.36 |
| 17 | Delaware | $43,597 | $20.96 |
| 18 | Colorado | $42,551 | $20.46 |
| 19 | South Dakota | $38,109 | $18.32 |
| 20 | Connecticut | $44,620 | $21.45 |
| 21 | Kansas | $39,095 | $18.80 |
| 22 | Alabama | $39,108 | $18.80 |
| 23 | New Mexico | $40,170 | $19.31 |
| 24 | Michigan | $39,084 | $18.79 |
| 25 | New Jersey | $39,034 | $18.77 |
| 26 | Montana | $38,506 | $18.51 |
| 27 | Wisconsin | $38,965 | $18.73 |
| 28 | Alaska | $38,461 | $18.49 |
| 29 | Illinois | $40,647 | $19.54 |
| 30 | Tennessee | $36,227 | $17.42 |
| 31 | Arkansas | $38,663 | $18.59 |
| 32 | Indiana | $36,856 | $17.72 |
| 33 | Ohio | $37,968 | $18.25 |
| 34 | Missouri | $37,165 | $17.87 |
| 35 | Texas | $36,427 | $17.51 |
| 36 | Maryland | $38,470 | $18.50 |
| 37 | Iowa | $37,540 | $18.05 |
| 38 | Oregon | $37,026 | $17.80 |
| 39 | Louisiana | $35,789 | $17.21 |
| 40 | Hawaii | $35,224 | $16.93 |
| 41 | Nebraska | $37,685 | $18.12 |
| 42 | Arizona | $35,806 | $17.21 |
| 43 | Georgia | $36,079 | $17.35 |
| 44 | North Dakota | $33,921 | $16.31 |
| 45 | Utah | $34,990 | $16.82 |
| 46 | Florida | $33,140 | $15.93 |
| 47 | Virginia | $35,390 | $17.01 |
| 48 | South Carolina | $35,987 | $17.30 |
| 49 | North Carolina | $32,395 | $15.57 |
| 50 | Mississippi | $33,469 | $16.09 |
| 51 | Oklahoma | $32,025 | $15.40 |
The highest-paying cities for telecommunication operators are Oakland, CA, Burlington, MA, and South Portland, ME.
| Rank | City | Avg. salary | Hourly rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Oakland, CA | $48,028 | $23.09 |
| 2 | Burlington, MA | $45,452 | $21.85 |
| 3 | South Portland, ME | $45,415 | $21.83 |
| 4 | Washington, DC | $43,198 | $20.77 |
| 5 | Reading, PA | $42,437 | $20.40 |
| 6 | Albuquerque, NM | $40,235 | $19.34 |
| 7 | Quincy, IL | $39,611 | $19.04 |
| 8 | Southfield, MI | $39,064 | $18.78 |
| 9 | Trenton, NJ | $38,910 | $18.71 |
| 10 | Mobile, AL | $38,834 | $18.67 |
| 11 | Little Rock, AR | $38,636 | $18.57 |
| 12 | Olney, MD | $38,436 | $18.48 |
| 13 | Springfield, OH | $37,656 | $18.10 |
| 14 | Fort Wayne, IN | $37,363 | $17.96 |
| 15 | Austin, TX | $36,438 | $17.52 |
| 16 | Rock Hill, SC | $36,363 | $17.48 |
| 17 | Goodyear, AZ | $35,878 | $17.25 |
| 18 | Slidell, LA | $35,703 | $17.16 |
| 19 | Urban Honolulu, HI | $35,265 | $16.95 |
| 20 | Norfolk, VA | $35,230 | $16.94 |
A telecommunication operator's salary ranges from $30,000 a year at the 10th percentile to $50,000 at the 90th percentile.

| Percentile | Annual salary | Monthly salary | Hourly rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| 90th Percentile | $50,000 | $4,167 | $24 |
| 75th Percentile | $44,000 | $3,667 | $21 |
| Average | $39,381 | $3,282 | $19 |
| 25th Percentile | $34,000 | $2,833 | $16 |
| 10th Percentile | $30,000 | $2,500 | $14 |
The highest paying types of telecommunication operators are operations/dispatch, switchboard operator assistant, and operator.
| Job title | Annual salary | Monthly salary | Hourly rate | Job openings |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Dispatcher | $35,328 | $2,944 | $16.98 | 5,818 |
| Public Safety Dispatcher | $35,063 | $2,922 | $16.86 | 25,700 |
| Operations/Dispatch | $39,483 | $3,290 | $18.98 | 60,313 |
| Police Dispatcher | $37,402 | $3,117 | $17.98 | 6,964 |
| Operator | $37,928 | $3,161 | $18.23 | 159,077 |
| PBX Operator | $29,942 | $2,495 | $14.40 | 30,866 |
Top companies hiring telecommunication operators now:
Telecommunication operator salaries at City of Detroit and Blessing Hospital Emergency Room are the highest-paying according to our most recent salary estimates. In addition, the average telecommunication operator salary at companies like Texas Instruments and City of Rock Hill are highly competitive.
| Rank | Company | Average salary | Hourly rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | City of Detroit | $51,038 | $24.54 |
| 2 | Blessing Hospital Emergency Room | $48,832 | $23.48 |
| 3 | Texas Instruments | $45,988 | $22.11 |
| 4 | City of Rock Hill | $45,106 | $21.69 |
| 5 | Health Alliance | $44,890 | $21.58 |
| 6 | Goodyear, Arizona | $44,390 | $21.34 |
| 7 | Queens Health Systems | $41,257 | $19.84 |
| 8 | City of Webster Police Department | $41,165 | $19.79 |
| 9 | Beth Israel Lahey Health | $39,803 | $19.14 |
| 10 | PDS Tech | $39,765 | $19.12 |
| 11 | VPNE | $39,713 | $19.09 |
| 12 | Marin General Hospital: Foley Pamela MD | $39,245 | $18.87 |
| 13 | Rock Hill Schools | $38,607 | $18.56 |
| 14 | Griffin Foundation | $38,601 | $18.56 |
| 15 | Northern Lights | $38,194 | $18.36 |
| 16 | Lahey Health Behavioral Services | $38,191 | $18.36 |
| 17 | Anna Jaques Hospital | $37,820 | $18.18 |
| 18 | Crozer Health | $36,335 | $17.47 |
| 19 | Arkansas Children's Hospital | $36,316 | $17.46 |
| 20 | St Joseph Medical Group | $35,842 | $17.23 |
The average telecommunication operator salary has risen by $7,655 over the last ten years. In 2014, the average telecommunication operator earned $31,726 annually, but today, they earn $39,381 a year. That works out to a 12% change in pay for telecommunication operators over the last decade.
Compare telecommunication operator salaries for cities or states with the national average over time.
Compare telecommunication operator salaries for individual cities or states with the national average.
| Year | Avg. salary | Hourly rate | % Change |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | $39,400 | $18.93 | +2.6% |
| 2024 | $38,400 | $18.44 | +3.9% |
| 2023 | $36,900 | $17.72 | +2.4% |
| 2022 | $36,000 | $17.29 | +2.3% |
| 2021 | $35,100 | $16.89 | +2.1% |
| Company | Job | Location | Date added | Salary |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| University of Maryland Medical Center Baltimore Washington | Telecommunication Operator, PRN | La Plata, MD | 06/27/2025 | $35,479 |
| Medstar Research Institute | Telecommunications Operator | Washington, DC | 06/25/2025 | $36,523 |
| Medstar Research Institute | Telecommunications Operator (PRN) | Olney, MD | 06/25/2025 | $36,523 |
| Adventist Healthcare | Telecommunication Operator, Rotating Shifts, Telecommunications | Rockville, MD | 06/20/2025 | $35,792 |
| Evergreenhealth | Telecommunications Operator | Kirkland, WA | 06/20/2025 | $45,956 |
| HH Medstar Health Inc. | Telecommunications Operator | Washington, DC | 06/20/2025 | $36,523 |
| Bethesda Health | Telecommunications Operator, PBX Service, SMH, Various Shift | South Miami, FL | 06/17/2025 | $33,392 |
| Baptisthlth | Telecommunications Operator, PBX Service, SMH, Various Shift | South Miami, FL | 06/16/2025 | $33,392 |
| Baptist Health South Florida | Telecommunications Operator, PBX Service, SMH, Various Shift | South Miami, FL | 06/13/2025 | $33,392 |
| City of Pearland (Tx | Telecommunications Operator | Pearland, TX | 06/13/2025 | $45,100 |
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