Telephone switchboard operator vs call center operator

The differences between telephone switchboard operators and call center 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 telephone switchboard operator and a call center operator. Additionally, a call center operator has an average salary of $31,022, which is higher than the $30,681 average annual salary of a telephone switchboard operator.

The top three skills for a telephone switchboard operator include telephone switchboard, on-call schedules and customer service. The most important skills for a call center operator are strong customer service, patients, and data entry.

Telephone switchboard operator vs call center operator overview

	Telephone Switchboard Operator	Call Center Operator
Yearly salary	$30,681	$31,022
Hourly rate	$14.75	$14.91
Growth rate	-	-4%
Number of jobs	27,103	215,083
Job satisfaction	4	-
Most common degree	High School Diploma, 32%	Bachelor's Degree, 36%
Average age	53	53
Years of experience	2	2

Telephone switchboard operator vs call center operator salary

Telephone switchboard operators and call center operators have different pay scales, as shown below.

	Telephone Switchboard Operator	Call Center Operator
Average salary	$30,681	$31,022
Salary range	Between $24,000 And $38,000	Between $22,000 And $42,000
Highest paying City	-	Vacaville, CA
Highest paying state	-	New York
Best paying company	-	Brigham and Women's Hospital
Best paying industry	-	Media

Differences between telephone switchboard operator and call center operator education

There are a few differences between a telephone switchboard operator and a call center operator in terms of educational background:

	Telephone Switchboard Operator	Call Center Operator
Most common degree	High School Diploma, 32%	Bachelor's Degree, 36%
Most common major	Business	Business
Most common college	-	-

Telephone switchboard operator vs call center operator demographics

Here are the differences between telephone switchboard operators' and call center operators' demographics:

	Telephone Switchboard Operator	Call Center Operator
Average age	53	53
Gender ratio	Male, 15.7% Female, 84.3%	Male, 26.6% Female, 73.4%
Race ratio	Black or African American, 14.7% Unknown, 3.6% Hispanic or Latino, 15.9% Asian, 4.1% White, 60.5% American Indian and Alaska Native, 1.2%	Black or African American, 14.4% Unknown, 3.6% Hispanic or Latino, 17.4% Asian, 3.4% White, 60.0% American Indian and Alaska Native, 1.2%
LGBT Percentage	19%	19%

Differences between telephone switchboard operator and call center operator duties and responsibilities

Telephone switchboard operator example responsibilities.

Protect patient privacy by following HIPAA regulations, as well as maintaining confidential information within the hospital intranet.
Receive, answer and forward calls on a busy switchboard for doctors, attorneys and numerous businesses.
Work the operator switchboard answering incoming calls and place direct, third party, collect calls and provide customer assistance.
Monitor security equipment and train to contact APD when the situation call for it.
Maintain great customer relations with VIP arrivals

Call center operator example responsibilities.

Manage confidential documents and records with strict compliance to HIPAA.
Manage patient's records and make sure they are protected under the HIPPA laws.
Page all Dr's and staff when need.
Comply with HIPAA regulations at all times.
Create daily reports to monitor patient census, food allergies and nutritional plans.
Oversee scheduling, re-scheduling, and input appointment information into the systems EMR.

Telephone switchboard operator vs call center operator skills

Common telephone switchboard operator skills

Telephone Switchboard, 36%
On-Call Schedules, 21%
Customer Service, 11%
Direct Calls, 8%
Inbound Calls, 6%
Front Desk, 5%

Common call center operator skills

Strong Customer Service, 50%
Patients, 10%
Data Entry, 5%
Customer Service, 5%
Phone Calls, 4%
Telephone Calls, 3%

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Telephone Switchboard Operator
Telephone Switchboard Operator vs Call Center Operator

Updated January 8, 2025

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