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.
Telephone Operators
SOC: 43-2021 O*NET: 43-2021.00
Median Salary
$39,130
per year
Job Growth
📉 -27.5%
Slower (2024-2034)
Annual Openings
0.3
projected jobs/year
Education Level
High school diploma or equivalent
Job Zone 2
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 does a Telephone Operators do?
How much can you earn?
Entry Level
$31,440
10th percentile
Early Career
$35,860
25th percentile
Median
$39,130
50th percentile
Experienced
$48,530
75th percentile
Top Earners
$57,510
90th percentile
National Salary Distribution
10th
$31,440
25th
$35,860
Middle 50%
MEDIAN
$39,130
Mean: $42,880
75th
$48,530
90th
$57,510
Middle 50% of earners
Median salary
Mean (average)
Key Insights
- •Salary range spans $26,070 from entry level to top earners
- •Middle 50% earn between $35,860 and $48,530
- •Salary spread is 32.4% around the median, showing moderate variation
- •Total national employment: 3,950 professionals
What's the job outlook?
Job Market Intelligence
Low Demand
Market demand
Medium Risk
Automation risk
Current Employment
National Employment:4,000
Top Industries
Hospitals27.1%
General Medical and Surgical Hospitals25.8%
Ambulatory Health Care Services20%
10-Year Outlook
Growth Rate:-27.5%
Annual Openings:300
Employment Projections
2024 (Current)4,000
Current
2034 (Projected)2,900
-27.5%
-1,100
Employment Change
-27.5%
Growth Rate
10
Year Projection
Growth Category: Decline
Geographic Salary & Employment Data
Explore where Telephone Operators professionals work across the United States
Showing 15 of 19 locations
Texas
640 jobs$36,8001.80x
Pennsylvania
400 jobs$36,0402.59x
New York
350 jobs$53,5101.43x
New Jersey
230 jobs$40,7702.09x
California
190 jobs$56,7700.42x
Ohio
190 jobs$38,1101.32x
Georgia
140 jobs$36,5101.15x
Maryland
110 jobs$41,2201.59x
Kentucky
100 jobs$38,1001.90x
Louisiana
80 jobs$34,0501.72x
South Carolina
70 jobs$36,1601.20x
Michigan
60 jobs$40,3000.56x
Hawaii
40 jobs$52,1602.68x
Oklahoma
40 jobs$37,4000.85x
Nevada
30 jobs$00.84x
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
Speaking
100%
#2
Active Listening
88%
#3
Service Orientation
76%
#4
Social Perceptiveness
64%
#5
Critical Thinking
52%
#6
Reading Comprehension
40%
Skills Overview
Speaking
advanced5.0
100%
Active Listening
intermediate4.4
88%
Service Orientation
intermediate3.8
76%
Social Perceptiveness
intermediate3.2
64%
Critical Thinking
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:
Speaking
advancedImportance100%
skills
5.0/5.0
Active Listening
intermediateImportance88%
skills
4.4/5.0
Service Orientation
intermediateImportance76%
skills
3.8/5.0
Social Perceptiveness
intermediateImportance64%
skills
3.2/5.0
Critical Thinking
basicImportance52%
abilities
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:
Butchers and Meat Cutters75%
5 shared skills
Driver/Sales Workers75%
5 shared skills
Library Technicians75%
5 shared skills
Nursing Assistants75%
5 shared skills
Pharmacy Aides75%
5 shared skills
Postal Service Clerks75%
5 shared skills
Skills by Career Stage
Entry Level
Must Have:
- ✓Speaking
- ✓Active Listening
Learn on the Job:
- →Social Perceptiveness
- →Critical Thinking
Mid Career
Expected:
- ✓Speaking
- ✓Active Listening
Senior Level
Mastery Required:
- ★Speaking
- ★Active Listening
- ★Service Orientation
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 Telephone Operators
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 Outlook
🔥 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 Outlook
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
14
Core Tasks
8
Daily Tasks
20
Work Activities
0
Emerging Tasks
Filter:
Sort by:
Management & Supervision (2)General Responsibilities (7)Operations & Execution (3)Planning & Development (1)Documentation & Record-Keeping (1)
1
Listen to customer requests, referring to alphabetical or geographical directories to answer questions and provide telephone information.
🔴Daily
Importance:
Management & Supervision100% perform100%
2
Suggest and check alternate spellings, locations, or listing formats to customers lacking details or complete information.
🔴Daily
Importance:
General Responsibilities97% perform98%
3
Offer special assistance to persons such as those who are unable to dial or who are in emergency situations.
🔴Daily
Importance:
General Responsibilities94% perform96%
4
Observe signal lights on switchboards, and dial or press buttons to make connections.
🔴Daily
Importance:
General Responsibilities91% perform94%
5
Operate telephone switchboards and systems to advance and complete connections, including those for local, long distance, pay telephone, mobile, person-to-person, and emergency calls.
🔴Daily
Importance:
Operations & Execution88% perform92%
6
Provide assistance for customers with special billing requests.
🔴Daily
Importance:
General Responsibilities85% perform90%
7
Monitor automated systems for placing collect calls and intervene for a callers needing assistance.
🔴Daily
Importance:
General Responsibilities82% perform88%
8
Perform clerical duties such as typing, proofreading, and sorting mail.
🔴Daily
Importance:
Operations & Execution79% perform86%
9
Interrupt busy lines if an emergency warrants.
🟡Weekly
Importance:
General Responsibilities76% perform84%
10
Provide relay service for users who are deaf or hard of hearing.
🟡Weekly
Importance:
General Responsibilities73% perform82%
💡 Key Takeaways
- •Daily tasks focus primarily on management & supervision activities
- •50% 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 Telephone Operators
💡 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?
Telephone Operators professionals typically have a CSE Holland code and highly value relationships
CConventional
SSocial
EEnterprising
Important Personality Traits
Work styles that contribute to success as a Telephone Operators
Dependability
CriticalDependability
Importance Level4.54
Attention to Detail
CriticalAttention to Detail
Importance Level4.53
Stress Tolerance
CriticalStress Tolerance
Importance Level4.50
Integrity
CriticalIntegrity
Importance Level4.50
Self-Control
Very ImportantSelf-Control
Importance Level4.44
Cooperation
Very ImportantCooperation
Importance Level4.43
Complete Work Styles Profile
Dependability
4.5
Attention to Detail
4.5
Stress Tolerance
4.5
Integrity
4.5
Self-Control
4.4
Cooperation
4.4
Adaptability/Flexibility
4.3
Concern for Others
4.2
Independence
4.1
Social Orientation
4.1
💡 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
Ready to Start Your Journey?
Explore educational programs that can help you become a Telephone Operators.
Browse Training Programs →