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All About Switchboard Operators
Job Description & Duties Operate telephone business systems equipment or switchboards to relay incoming, outgoing, and interoffice calls. May supply information to callers and record messages.
Life As a Switchboard Operator
- Page individuals to inform them of telephone calls, using paging or interoffice communication equipment.
- Answer simple questions about clients’ businesses, using reference files.
- Contact security staff members when necessary, using radio-telephones.
- Answer incoming calls, greeting callers, providing information, transferring calls or taking messages as necessary.
- Keep records of calls placed and charges incurred.
- Place telephone calls or arrange conference calls as instructed.
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What Skills Do You Need to Work as a Switchboard Operator?
Switchboard Operators state the following job skills are important in their day-to-day work.
Speaking: Talking to others to convey information effectively.
Active Listening: Giving full attention to what other people are saying, taking time to understand the points being made, asking questions as appropriate, and not interrupting at inappropriate times.
Social Perceptiveness: Being aware of others’ reactions and understanding why they react as they do.
Reading Comprehension: Understanding written sentences and paragraphs in work related documents.
Writing: Communicating effectively in writing as appropriate for the needs of the audience.
Service Orientation: Actively looking for ways to help people.
Types of Switchboard Operator Jobs
- Information Specialist
- Tandem Operator
- Telegraph Office Telephone Clerk
- Switchboard Operator
- Communication Coordinator
Job Outlook for Switchboard Operators
In 2016, there was an estimated number of 93,200 jobs in the United States for Switchboard Operator. There is little to no growth in job opportunities for Switchboard Operator. The BLS estimates 9,000 yearly job openings in this field.
The states with the most job growth for Switchboard Operator are Maryland, Alaska, and Washington. Watch out if you plan on working in New Mexico, North Dakota, or Colorado. These states have the worst job growth for this type of profession.
Average Switchboard Operators Salary
The average yearly salary of a Switchboard Operator ranges between $21,040 and $44,640.
Switchboard Operators who work in Hawaii, District of Columbia, or Connecticut, make the highest salaries.
How much do Switchboard Operators make in each U.S. state?
| State | Annual Mean Salary |
|---|---|
| Alabama | $24,570 |
| Alaska | $35,240 |
| Arizona | $28,940 |
| Arkansas | $26,090 |
| California | $36,160 |
| Colorado | $30,400 |
| Connecticut | $42,920 |
| Delaware | $29,090 |
| District of Columbia | $41,390 |
| Florida | $28,020 |
| Georgia | $30,700 |
| Hawaii | $41,250 |
| Idaho | $29,070 |
| Illinois | $33,830 |
| Indiana | $28,550 |
| Iowa | $28,850 |
| Kansas | $28,150 |
| Kentucky | $23,950 |
| Louisiana | $27,180 |
| Maine | $28,850 |
| Maryland | $31,340 |
| Massachusetts | $34,560 |
| Michigan | $31,560 |
| Minnesota | $35,770 |
| Mississippi | $25,150 |
| Missouri | $30,790 |
| Montana | $27,120 |
| Nebraska | $30,930 |
| Nevada | $31,430 |
| New Hampshire | $31,820 |
| New Jersey | $32,830 |
| New Mexico | $29,580 |
| New York | $38,020 |
| North Carolina | $28,290 |
| North Dakota | $31,900 |
| Ohio | $28,070 |
| Oklahoma | $27,640 |
| Oregon | $37,170 |
| Pennsylvania | $29,200 |
| Rhode Island | $32,090 |
| South Carolina | $27,270 |
| Tennessee | $28,980 |
| Texas | $27,320 |
| Utah | $26,430 |
| Vermont | $30,380 |
| Virginia | $28,350 |
| Washington | $34,740 |
| West Virginia | $27,120 |
| Wisconsin | $31,580 |
| Wyoming | $30,550 |
Tools & Technologies Used by Switchboard Operators
Although they’re not necessarily needed for all jobs, the following technologies are used by many Switchboard Operators:
- Microsoft Excel
- Microsoft Word
- Microsoft Office
- Microsoft PowerPoint
- Microsoft Outlook
- Microsoft Access
- Word processing software
- SAP
- Microsoft Windows
- IBM Notes
How to Become a Switchboard Operator
Learn what Switchboard Operator education requirements there are.
How many years of work experience do I need?
Where Switchboard Operators Work
The table below shows the approximate number of Switchboard Operators employed by various industries.
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References:
More about our data sources and methodologies.
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