Logo

Telephone Operators


Overview

Telephone Operators

Introduction

Telephone operators help people using phone company services, as well as other telephone users, to place calls and to make connections. There are approximately 69,900 switchboard operators, 4,740 telephone operators, and 3,240 other communications equipment operators employed in the United States.

Quick Facts


More

Median Salary

$42,790

More

Employment Prospects

Poor

More

Minimum Education Level

High School Diploma


More

Experience

No experience required


More

Skills

Interpersonal
img


More

Personality Traits

Outgoing
img

Earnings

The wages paid to telephone operators vary by city, state, and region. The types of duties performed by the employee also affect the salary.

According to the U.S. Department of Labor, median annual earnings of switchboard operators, including answering service, were $30,610 in May 2019. Median annual earnings of telephone operators were $35,750, with salaries ranging from less than $23,3...

Work Environment

The telephone industry operates around the clock, giving the public 24-hour daily service. Operators may, therefore, be required to work evening hours, night shifts, and on Sundays and holidays. Some operators are asked to work split shifts to cover periods of heavy calling. Telephone company operators generally work between 32 and 38 hours per week.

The telephone operator's job demands ...

Outlook

Employment of telephone and switchboard operators is expected to decline rapidly through 2029, according to the U.S. Department of Labor. During the past 35 years, employment of operators in telephone companies has declined sharply due to automation, which increases the productivity of these workers. 

Direct dialing and computerized billing have eliminated the need for many operators. Vo...