Switchboard Operators, Including Answering Service pay in Los Angeles-Long Beach-Anaheim

In Los Angeles-Long Beach-Anaheim (CA), the median pay for switchboard operators, including answering service is $22.05 an hour ($45,870 a year). About 2,110 people work in this job there.

$22.05Median hourly pay
$39,550–$57,870Middle half of workers, yearly
2,110People in this job in Los Angeles-Long Beach-Anaheim (CA)

That is 19% higher than the U.S. median ($38,630). It is 6% lower than the California median ($48,840).

Pay range for switchboard operators, including answering service in Los Angeles-Long Beach-Anaheim (CA)

Earns more thanHourlyYearly
10% of workers$18.15$37,740
25% of workers$19.01$39,550
Half of workers (median)$22.05$45,870
75% of workers$27.82$57,870
90% of workers$31.90$66,350

Switchboard Operators, Including Answering Service pay in California metro areas

Metro areaMedian yearly payPeople in this job
San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara$79,260440
San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont$61,780700
Stockton-Lodi$59,360170
Oxnard-Thousand Oaks-Ventura$49,84060
Napa$49,46050
Salinas$48,84090
Sacramento-Roseville-Folsom$47,380420
Santa Rosa-Petaluma$46,33090
San Diego-Chula Vista-Carlsbad$46,080570
Los Angeles-Long Beach-Anaheim (this page)$45,8702,110
Santa Maria-Santa Barbara$44,68080
Fresno$44,590150
Visalia$44,33040
Modesto$44,32070
Merced$44,19050
Riverside-San Bernardino-Ontario$44,130500
Bakersfield-Delano$42,710140

California unemployment rate: 5.1% (August 2026), U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics.

Education, experience and outlook for switchboard operators, including answering service

  • Typical education to start: High school diploma or equivalent (BLS)
  • Related work experience most have: 3 to 6 months (O*NET)
  • Training on the job: Short-term on-the-job training (BLS)
  • Job outlook: -26% over ten years, declining · about 3,100 openings a year (BLS)

Related jobs in Los Angeles-Long Beach-Anaheim (CA)

JobMedian yearly pay
Office Clerks, General$48,100
Customer Service Representatives$48,840
Secretaries and Administrative Assistants, Except Legal, Medical, and Executive$53,550
Medical Secretaries and Administrative Assistants$51,410
Receptionists and Information Clerks$43,280
Executive Secretaries and Executive Administrative Assistants$82,850
Dispatchers, Except Police, Fire, and Ambulance$52,170
Public Safety Telecommunicators$80,370

Other job titles for this job

Telecommunications OperatorInformation SpecialistAnswering Service Telephone OperatorCBX OperatorCentral Communications SpecialistCombination OperatorCommand and Control SpecialistCommunication Center OperatorComplaint OperatorDesk OperatorExchange OperatorPBX Operator

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Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), May 2025 estimates. Figures are for wage and salary workers and do not include the self-employed. The median is the middle wage: half earn more, half earn less. Other job titles: O*NET 31.0 Database by the U.S. Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration (USDOL/ETA), used under the CC BY 4.0 license; O*NET® is a trademark of USDOL/ETA. JAI Bot has modified this information; USDOL/ETA has not approved, endorsed, or tested these modifications.