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What Does it Take to Be a Telephone Operator?
Occupation Description Provide information by accessing alphabetical, geographical, or other directories. Assist customers with special billing requests, such as charges to a third party and credits or refunds for incorrectly dialed numbers or bad connections. May handle emergency calls and assist children or people with physical disabilities to make telephone calls.
What Do Telephone Operators Do On a Daily Basis?
- Provide assistance for customers with special billing requests.
- Promote company products, services, and savings plans when appropriate.
- Offer special assistance to persons such as those who are unable to dial or who are in emergency situations.
- Update directory information.
- Monitor automated systems for placing collect calls and intervene for a callers needing assistance.
- Perform clerical duties such as typing, proofreading, and sorting mail.
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Telephone Operator Required Skills
When polled, Telephone Operators say the following skills are most frequently used in their jobs:
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.
Speaking: Talking to others to convey information effectively.
Service Orientation: Actively looking for ways to help people.
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.
Critical Thinking: Using logic and reasoning to identify the strengths and weaknesses of alternative solutions, conclusions or approaches to problems.
Other Telephone Operator Job Titles
- PBX Operator (Post Box Exchange Operator)
- Switchboard Operator
- Telephone Exchange Operator
- Service Assistant
- Emergency Operator
Is There Going to be Demand for Telephone Operators?
In 2016, there was an estimated number of 9,100 jobs in the United States for Telephone Operator. There is little to no growth in job opportunities for Telephone Operator. There will be an estimated 900 positions for Telephone Operator per year.
The states with the most job growth for Telephone Operator are Alaska, Utah, and Idaho. Watch out if you plan on working in Delaware, Tennessee, or New Jersey. These states have the worst job growth for this type of profession.
Telephone Operator Average Salary
The average yearly salary of a Telephone Operator ranges between $23,160 and $60,610.
Telephone Operators who work in New York, Hawaii, or District of Columbia, make the highest salaries.
How much do Telephone Operators make in different U.S. states?
| State | Annual Mean Salary |
|---|---|
| Arizona | $35,510 |
| California | $41,900 |
| Connecticut | $44,010 |
| District of Columbia | $44,150 |
| Florida | $32,020 |
| Georgia | $33,860 |
| Hawaii | $44,040 |
| Illinois | $40,150 |
| Indiana | $40,590 |
| Iowa | $29,880 |
| Louisiana | $33,040 |
| Maryland | $36,790 |
| Massachusetts | $36,570 |
| Michigan | $28,610 |
| Minnesota | $39,470 |
| Missouri | $31,950 |
| Nevada | $31,110 |
| New York | $48,270 |
| Ohio | $35,750 |
| Pennsylvania | $39,040 |
| Tennessee | $27,610 |
| Texas | $34,410 |
| Virginia | $43,480 |
What Tools do Telephone Operators Use?
Although they’re not necessarily needed for all jobs, the following technologies are used by many Telephone Operators:
- Microsoft Excel
- Microsoft Word
- Microsoft Office
- Microsoft Outlook
- Data entry software
- Word processing software
- Microsoft Windows
- Handheld computer device software
- Computer aided dispatch software
How do I Become a Telephone Operator?
What education or degrees do I need to become a Telephone Operator?
How many years of work experience do I need?
Who Employs Telephone Operators?
Telephone Operators work in the following industries:
You May Also Be Interested In…
Those thinking about becoming a Telephone Operator might also be interested in the following careers:
References:
More about our data sources and methodologies.
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