Telephone operators salary
| Measure | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile | $31,510 | $15.15 |
| Median (50th percentile) | $41,740 | $20.07 |
| Mean (average) | $44,970 | $21.62 |
| 90th percentile | $62,950 | $30.27 |
These wages describe everyone employed in the occupation, from new entrants to experienced workers. They are not starting salaries and not earnings of graduates from any particular program. Verified data
Telephone operators pay by state and metro area
Table: median wage and employment for all 18 states and territories
| State | Median | 10th pct | 90th pct | Employment | Location quotient |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| California | $57,170 | $44,120 | $66,670 | 230 | 0.58 |
| District of Columbia | $49,330 | $37,490 | $72,090 | 50 | 3.19 |
| Florida | $37,180 | $36,130 | $52,680 | 70 | 0.33 |
| Georgia | $36,920 | $33,080 | $50,360 | 160 | 1.44 |
| Louisiana | $31,400 | $25,040 | $38,410 | 50 | 1.06 |
| Maryland | $42,460 | $40,980 | $49,980 | 110 | 1.75 |
| Massachusetts | $47,940 | $43,900 | $79,300 | ||
| Michigan | $37,550 | $35,640 | $49,070 | 80 | 0.8 |
| New Jersey | $41,960 | $37,120 | $55,000 | 190 | 2.06 |
| New York | $50,220 | $37,840 | $70,810 | ||
| North Carolina | $40,360 | $29,330 | $47,750 | 40 | 0.33 |
| Ohio | $36,970 | $31,990 | $50,500 | 220 | 1.82 |
| Oklahoma | $37,320 | $37,250 | $37,320 | 40 | 0.94 |
| South Carolina | Data unavailable | 170 | 3.25 | ||
| Tennessee | Data unavailable | 150 | 2.01 | ||
| Texas | $41,250 | $34,550 | $56,900 | 280 | 0.9 |
| Virginia | $42,350 | $37,220 | $48,710 | ||
| Wisconsin | $46,590 | $38,940 | $48,520 | 60 | 0.88 |
A location quotient above 1 means the occupation is more concentrated in that state than in the nation overall.
Metro areas with the most jobs
Highest paying metro areas
Job outlook for telephone operators
- Average annual openings, 2025 to 2035: 200. Openings include new jobs plus replacement needs when workers retire or leave the occupation. Official projection
These are official BLS projections. ConnectPrep does not alter them or present its own forecasts as official statistics.
Education and training for telephone operators
- Typical entry education
- High school diploma or equivalent
- Related work experience
- None
- On-the-job training
- Short-term on-the-job training
- O*NET Job Zone
- Job Zone 1-2: Very Little to Some Preparation Needed
Highest education of people working in this occupation
O*NET describes this preparation level as: Usually requires a high school diploma or GED, though some occupations may not.
Degrees and programs that lead to this career
Programs officially mapped to this occupation in the NCES and BLS CIP to SOC crosswalk. A mapping means the program commonly prepares students for the occupation, not that every graduate works in it. Official crosswalk
- NO MATCH CIP 99.9999
Skills, knowledge, and daily work
Most important skills
Most important knowledge areas
Typical tasks
- Observe signal lights on switchboards, and dial or press buttons to make connections.
- Operate telephone switchboards and systems to advance and complete connections, including those for local, long distance, pay telephone, mobile, person-to-person, and emergency calls.
- Listen to customer requests, referring to alphabetical or geographical directories to answer questions and provide telephone information.
- Update directory information.
- Suggest and check alternate spellings, locations, or listing formats to customers lacking details or complete information.
- Perform clerical duties such as typing, proofreading, and sorting mail.
- Offer special assistance to persons such as those who are unable to dial or who are in emergency situations.
Technology skills
- Microsoft Office software (in demand)
- Microsoft Excel (hot technology)
- Microsoft Outlook (hot technology)
- Microsoft PowerPoint (hot technology)
- Microsoft Windows (hot technology)
- Microsoft Word (hot technology)
- Computer aided dispatch software
- Handheld computer device software
- Video conference software
Transferable skills for career changers: Service Orientation, Social Perceptiveness, Complex Problem Solving, Coordination, Time Management, Judgment and Decision Making.
Common job titles: 411 Directory Assistance Operator (411 Directory Assistance Op), Directory Assistance Operator (Directory Assistance Op), Information Specialist, Live Source Operator (Live Source Op), Long Distance Operator (LD Operator), PBX Operator (Post Box Exchange Operator), Phone Operator (Telephone Operator), Phone Secretary (Telephone Secretary), TELECOM Op (Telecommunications Operator), Toll Operator (Toll Op).
Is it worth it? Model the cost of getting there
Use the ROI calculator to compare the cost of the education this career usually requires against staying on your current path. It starts from the official wage distribution above, and you can change every assumption.
Frequently asked questions
How much do telephone operators make?
The national median annual wage for telephone operators was $41,740 in May 2025, according to the BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics program. The lowest paid 10 percent earned less than $31,510 and the highest paid 10 percent earned more than $62,950. These figures cover all workers in the occupation, not only new entrants.
What education do telephone operators need?
BLS lists high school diploma or equivalent as the typical education needed to enter this occupation, with none of related work experience and short-term on-the-job training on-the-job training typically needed to become competent.
Is telephone operators a growing career?
BLS projects employment of telephone operators to change -27.6% from 2025 to 2035, compared with +3.5% for all occupations. About 200 openings are projected each year on average, including openings from workers who retire or change occupations.
Which states pay telephone operators the most?
By median annual wage in May 2025, the highest paying states were California ($57,170), New York ($50,220), District of Columbia ($49,330). Pay differences partly reflect differences in living costs.