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What You Need to Know About Switchboard Operator
Switchboard Operator Definition 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: What Do They Do?
- Answer simple questions about clients’ businesses, using reference files.
- Monitor alarm systems to ensure that secure conditions are maintained.
- Greet visitors, log them in and out of the facility, assign them security badges, and contact employee escorts.
- Answer incoming calls, greeting callers, providing information, transferring calls or taking messages as necessary.
- Process incoming or outgoing mail, packages, or deliveries.
- Perform administrative tasks, such as accepting orders, scheduling appointments or meeting rooms, or sending and receiving faxes.
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Qualities of a Switchboard Operator
Below is a list of the skills most Switchboard Operators say are important on the job.
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.
Related Job Titles for this Occupation:
- Test Operator
- Switchboard Receptionist
- Switchboard Operator
- PBX Teacher
- Traffic Operator
Job Outlook for Switchboard Operators
There were about 93,200 jobs for Switchboard Operator in 2016 (in the United States). There is little to no growth in job opportunities for Switchboard Operator. Due to new job openings and attrition, there will be an average of 9,000 job openings in this field each year.
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.
Salary for a Switchboard Operator
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.
Below is a list of the median annual salaries for Switchboard Operators in different U.S. states.
| 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 |
What Tools & Technology do Switchboard Operators Use?
Below is a list of the types of tools and technologies that Switchboard Operators may use on a daily basis:
- Microsoft Excel
- Microsoft Word
- Microsoft Office
- Microsoft PowerPoint
- Microsoft Outlook
- Microsoft Access
- Word processing software
- SAP
- Microsoft Windows
- IBM Notes
How do I Become a Switchboard Operator?
Education needed to be a Switchboard Operator:
How many years of work experience do I need?
Related Careers
Those thinking about becoming a Switchboard Operator might also be interested in the following careers:
Career changers with experience as a Switchboard Operator sometimes find work in one of the following fields:
References:
More about our data sources and methodologies.
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