Switchboard Operators, Including Answering Service pay in Illinois

In Illinois, the median pay for switchboard operators, including answering service is $20.51 an hour ($42,660 a year). About 1,240 people work in this job there.

$20.51Median hourly pay

$38,330–$46,150Middle half of workers, yearly

1,240People in this job in Illinois

That is 10% higher than the U.S. median ($38,630). Illinois ranks 11th of 46 states and territories for this job’s median pay.

Pay range for switchboard operators, including answering service in Illinois

Earns more than	Hourly	Yearly
10% of workers	$16.56	$34,450
25% of workers	$18.43	$38,330
Half of workers (median)	$20.51	$42,660
75% of workers	$22.19	$46,150
90% of workers	$26.53	$55,180

Switchboard Operators, Including Answering Service pay in Illinois metro areas

Metro area	Median yearly pay	People in this job
Chicago-Naperville-Elgin	$44,540	860
Rockford	$39,660	40
Springfield	$39,450	50
Bloomington	$38,480	30
Peoria	$38,380	40

Illinois unemployment rate: 4.7% (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 Illinois

Job	Median yearly pay
Customer Service Representatives	$46,130
Office Clerks, General	$45,730
Secretaries and Administrative Assistants, Except Legal, Medical, and Executive	$48,310
Receptionists and Information Clerks	$37,400
Medical Secretaries and Administrative Assistants	$46,670
Executive Secretaries and Executive Administrative Assistants	$74,390
Public Safety Telecommunicators	$61,260
Telemarketers	$31,200

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.