What Do Switchboard Operator Do?
Occupation Description Operate telephone business systems equipment or switchboards to relay incoming, outgoing, and interoffice calls. May supply information to callers and record messages.
Switchboard Operator Responsibilities
- Perform administrative tasks, such as accepting orders, scheduling appointments or meeting rooms, or sending and receiving faxes.
- Place telephone calls or arrange conference calls as instructed.
- Monitor alarm systems to ensure that secure conditions are maintained.
- Answer incoming calls, greeting callers, providing information, transferring calls or taking messages as necessary.
- Keep records of calls placed and charges incurred.
- Perform various cash handling tasks, such as collecting payments, making bank deposits, or managing petty cash.
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Skills Needed to be a Switchboard Operator
These are the skills Switchboard Operators say are the most useful in their careers:
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
- Telephone Answering Service Operator
- Route Clerk
- Telecommunications Clerk
- Information Specialist
- Through Operator
Job Demand for Switchboard Operators
In the United States, there were 93,200 jobs for Switchboard Operator in 2016. 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.
Switchboard Operator Salary
The salary for Switchboard Operators ranges between about $21,040 and $44,640 a year.
Switchboard Operators who work in Hawaii, District of Columbia, or Connecticut, make the highest salaries.
How much do Switchboard Operators make 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?
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
Becoming a Switchboard Operator
Individuals working as a Switchboard Operator have obtained the following education levels:
How many years of work experience do I need?
Where do Switchboard Operators Work?
The table below shows some of the most common industries where those employed in this career field work.
You May Also Be Interested In…
Those interested in being a Switchboard Operator may also be interested in:
Those who work as a Switchboard Operator sometimes switch careers to one of these choices:
References:
More about our data sources and methodologies.
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