Operate telephone business systems equipment or switchboards to relay incoming, outgoing, and interoffice calls. May supply information to callers and record messages.
Switchboard Operators, Including Answering Service
SOC: 43-2011 O*NET: 43-2011.00
Median Salary
$38,370
per year
Job Growth
📉 -26.3%
Slower (2024-2034)
Annual Openings
2.8
projected jobs/year
Education Level
High school diploma or equivalent
Job Zone 2
Operate telephone business systems equipment or switchboards to relay incoming, outgoing, and interoffice calls. May supply information to callers and record messages.
What does a Switchboard Operators, Including Answering Service do?
How much can you earn?
Entry Level
$29,820
10th percentile
Early Career
$34,250
25th percentile
Median
$38,370
50th percentile
Experienced
$46,330
75th percentile
Top Earners
$60,940
90th percentile
National Salary Distribution
10th
$29,820
25th
$34,250
Middle 50%
MEDIAN
$38,370
Mean: $42,130
75th
$46,330
90th
$60,940
Middle 50% of earners
Median salary
Mean (average)
Key Insights
- •Salary range spans $31,120 from entry level to top earners
- •Middle 50% earn between $34,250 and $46,330
- •Salary spread is 31.5% around the median, showing moderate variation
- •Total national employment: 35,730 professionals
What's the job outlook?
Job Market Intelligence
Low Demand
Market demand
Medium Risk
Automation risk
Current Employment
National Employment:36,600
Top Industries
Hospitals27%
General Medical and Surgical Hospitals26.3%
Administrative and Support and Waste Management and Remediation Services23.1%
10-Year Outlook
Growth Rate:-26.3%
Annual Openings:2,800
Employment Projections
2024 (Current)36,600
Current
2034 (Projected)27,000
-26.3%
-9,600
Employment Change
-26.3%
Growth Rate
10
Year Projection
Growth Category: Decline
Geographic Salary & Employment Data
Explore where Switchboard Operators, Including Answering Service professionals work across the United States
Showing 15 of 48 locations
California
7,170 jobs$49,4601.71x
Florida
2,940 jobs$35,0801.29x
Texas
2,860 jobs$31,7800.89x
New York
2,070 jobs$45,0300.94x
Illinois
1,830 jobs$40,2301.30x
Pennsylvania
1,240 jobs$37,9300.89x
Massachusetts
1,010 jobs$40,7301.19x
Missouri
880 jobs$35,6401.30x
Louisiana
870 jobs$35,2601.97x
Tennessee
870 jobs$33,2801.14x
Nevada
850 jobs$37,2602.40x
Alabama
820 jobs$31,4501.70x
Ohio
800 jobs$36,4900.63x
North Carolina
740 jobs$36,1900.66x
New Jersey
730 jobs$37,9200.74x
Understanding the Data
Location Quotient (LQ):
- • LQ > 1.0: More jobs than national average
- • LQ = 1.0: Same as national average
- • LQ < 1.0: Fewer jobs than national average
Data Source:
Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), May 2024
Key Growth Factors
- •Employment decline projected
What skills do you need?
Top 10 Most Important Skills
#1
Active Listening
100%
#2
Speaking
88%
#3
Social Perceptiveness
76%
#4
Service Orientation
64%
#5
Coordination
52%
#6
Reading Comprehension
40%
Skills Overview
Active Listening
advanced5.0
100%
Speaking
intermediate4.4
88%
Social Perceptiveness
intermediate3.8
76%
Service Orientation
intermediate3.2
64%
Coordination
basic2.6
52%
Reading Comprehension
basic2.0
40%
Skills are rated on a scale of 0-5, with 5 being the most important. The complexity level indicates how advanced the skill typically needs to be.
Filter:
Sort by:
Active Listening
advancedImportance100%
skills
5.0/5.0
Speaking
intermediateImportance88%
skills
4.4/5.0
Social Perceptiveness
intermediateImportance76%
skills
3.8/5.0
Service Orientation
intermediateImportance64%
skills
3.2/5.0
Coordination
basicImportance52%
skills
2.6/5.0
Reading Comprehension
basicImportance40%
abilities
2.0/5.0
Highly Transferable Skills
These skills are valuable across multiple career paths, making career transitions easier:
Gambling Change Persons and Booth Cashiers100%
5 shared skills
Ushers, Lobby Attendants, and Ticket Takers83%
5 shared skills
Library Technicians75%
5 shared skills
Nursing Assistants75%
5 shared skills
Passenger Attendants75%
5 shared skills
Pharmacy Aides75%
5 shared skills
Skills by Career Stage
Entry Level
Must Have:
- ✓Active Listening
- ✓Speaking
Learn on the Job:
- →Service Orientation
- →Coordination
Mid Career
Expected:
- ✓Active Listening
- ✓Speaking
Senior Level
Mastery Required:
- ★Active Listening
- ★Speaking
- ★Social Perceptiveness
Skill Development Tips
- •Focus on developing the top 5 skills first - they have the highest impact on career success
- •Transferable skills open doors to related careers and provide flexibility
- •Balance technical skills with soft skills for well-rounded professional development
- •Entry-level positions prioritize foundational skills that can be built upon over time
What technology will you use?
Technology & Digital Skills
Essential technology proficiencies for Switchboard Operators, Including Answering Service
Technology Intensity
High
Digital Literacy Requirements
This career requires advanced digital literacy
1
Basic
2
Intermediate
3
Advanced
4
Expert
Key Digital Competencies:
Proficiency with specialized softwareTechnical documentationData analysis toolsSystem integration
🔥
Hot Technologies in Demand
These technologies are currently trending and highly sought after in this field
Microsoft Access
🔥 Hot TechMicrosoft Outlook
🔥 Hot TechSAP software
🔥 Hot TechMicrosoft Office software
🔥 Hot TechMicrosoft Windows
🔥 Hot TechMicrosoft PowerPoint
🔥 Hot TechMicrosoft Excel
🔥 Hot TechMicrosoft Word
🔥 Hot TechTechnology Stack
Technology Stack Overview
Key technologies used in this career
Microsoft Access
Microsoft Outlook
SAP software
Microsoft Office software
Microsoft Windows
Microsoft PowerPoint
Microsoft Excel
Microsoft Word
📚 Technology Learning Resources
Recommended Certifications
- •Vendor-specific software certifications
- •Industry-recognized technology credentials
- •Professional development courses
Online Learning Platforms
- •LinkedIn Learning - Comprehensive technology courses
- •Coursera - University-level programs
- •Udemy - Practical skills training
💡 Technology Skill Development Tips
- •Focus on mastering hot technologies first - they're currently most in-demand
- •Build a portfolio demonstrating your proficiency with key tools and software
- •Stay current through continuous learning - technology evolves rapidly
- •Consider vendor certifications to validate your skills to employers
What's the work environment like?
🏢
Location
MOSTLY INDOOR
💪
Physical Demand
MODERATE
👥
Team Orientation
CONSTANT TEAM
🤝
Customer Interaction
CONSTANT
💡Is This Work Environment Right for You?
Consider these factors when evaluating if you'll thrive in this work environment:
- •Are you comfortable working in mostly indoor environments?
- •Can you meet moderate physical demands?
- •Do you enjoy constant team team environments?
- •Are you comfortable working with safety protocols and protective equipment?
What are the key tasks?
Tasks & Responsibilities
19
Core Tasks
8
Daily Tasks
20
Work Activities
0
Emerging Tasks
Filter:
Sort by:
Operations & Execution (3)General Responsibilities (11)Training & Development (1)Documentation & Record-Keeping (3)Management & Supervision (1)
1
Operate communication systems, such as telephone, switchboard, intercom, two-way radio, or public address.
🔴Daily
Importance:
Operations & Execution100% perform100%
2
Answer incoming calls, greeting callers, providing information, transferring calls or taking messages as necessary.
🔴Daily
Importance:
General Responsibilities97% perform98%
3
Page individuals to inform them of telephone calls, using paging or interoffice communication equipment.
🔴Daily
Importance:
General Responsibilities94% perform96%
4
Relay or route written or verbal messages.
🔴Daily
Importance:
General Responsibilities91% perform94%
5
Place telephone calls or arrange conference calls as instructed.
🔴Daily
Importance:
Training & Development88% perform92%
6
Monitor alarm systems to ensure that secure conditions are maintained.
🔴Daily
Importance:
Documentation & Record-Keeping85% perform90%
7
Contact security staff members when necessary, using radio-telephones.
🔴Daily
Importance:
General Responsibilities82% perform88%
8
Keep records of calls placed and charges incurred.
🔴Daily
Importance:
Documentation & Record-Keeping79% perform86%
9
Record messages, suggesting rewording for clarity or conciseness.
🟡Weekly
Importance:
Documentation & Record-Keeping76% perform84%
10
Stamp messages with time and date and file them appropriately.
🟡Weekly
Importance:
General Responsibilities73% perform82%
💡 Key Takeaways
- •Daily tasks focus primarily on operations & execution activities
- •37% of tasks are performed by most workers in this occupation
- •Career advancement brings increased leadership and strategic responsibilities
What career paths are available?
Career Pathways
0
Advancement Opportunities
0
Lateral Move Options
0%
Avg. Salary Increase
Advancement Opportunities
Typical career progression paths from Switchboard Operators, Including Answering Service
💡 Career Planning Tips
- •Most successful advancement happens after 3-5 years of experience
- •Lateral moves can provide valuable cross-functional experience for future leadership roles
- •Focus on developing skills that are transferable across multiple career paths
- •Consider industry trends when planning long-term career moves
Is this career right for you?
Personality & Values Fit
Is This Career Right for You?
Switchboard Operators, Including Answering Service professionals typically have a CRE Holland code and highly value relationships
CConventional
RRealistic
EEnterprising
Important Personality Traits
Work styles that contribute to success as a Switchboard Operators, Including Answering Service
Dependability
CriticalDependability
Importance Level4.58
Self-Control
Very ImportantSelf-Control
Importance Level4.41
Stress Tolerance
Very ImportantStress Tolerance
Importance Level4.32
Attention to Detail
Very ImportantAttention to Detail
Importance Level4.22
Integrity
Very ImportantIntegrity
Importance Level4.21
Concern for Others
Very ImportantConcern for Others
Importance Level4.19
Complete Work Styles Profile
Dependability
4.6
Self-Control
4.4
Stress Tolerance
4.3
Attention to Detail
4.2
Integrity
4.2
Concern for Others
4.2
Cooperation
4.2
Social Orientation
3.9
Persistence
3.8
Adaptability/Flexibility
3.5
💡 Tips for Career Fit Success
- •While personality fit is important, skills can be developed with practice and training
- •Consider informational interviews to better understand the day-to-day personality requirements
- •Work environments vary by employer - research specific companies for cultural fit
- •Your interests and values may evolve - reassess periodically throughout your career
What education is required?
Education Level
High school diploma or equivalent
Typical duration: High school diploma or GED
Preparation Level
Job Zone 2
Some Preparation Needed
Experience Needed
Some previous work-related skill, knowledge, or experience may be helpful
📚 Education Requirement
Required Level:High school diploma or equivalent
These occupations usually require a high school diploma and may require some vocational training or job-related course work.
Training:
Training of a few months to a year
💼 Experience Requirement
Some previous work-related skill, knowledge, or experience may be helpful
Common pathways to gain experience:
- • Some previous work-related skill, knowledge, or experience
- • Vocational school programs (6 months to 2 years)
- • Industry certifications helpful
2
Job Zone Two: Some Preparation Needed
These occupations usually require a high school diploma and may require some vocational training or job-related course work.
Some previous work-related skill, knowledge, or experienceVocational school programs (6 months to 2 years)Industry certifications helpful
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