Switchboard Operators, Including Answering Service pay in Tennessee

In Tennessee, the median pay for switchboard operators, including answering service is $17.09 an hour ($35,550 a year). About 680 people work in this job there.

$17.09Median hourly pay
$30,150–$38,870Middle half of workers, yearly
680People in this job in Tennessee

That is 8% lower than the U.S. median ($38,630). Tennessee ranks 39th of 46 states and territories for this job’s median pay.

Pay range for switchboard operators, including answering service in Tennessee

Earns more thanHourlyYearly
10% of workers$12.99$27,020
25% of workers$14.49$30,150
Half of workers (median)$17.09$35,550
75% of workers$18.69$38,870
90% of workers$22.45$46,700

Switchboard Operators, Including Answering Service pay in Tennessee metro areas

Metro areaMedian yearly payPeople in this job
Nashville-Davidson--Murfreesboro--Franklin$37,050240
Chattanooga$35,77040
Knoxville$35,36070
Memphis$34,940110

Tennessee unemployment rate: 3.4% (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 Tennessee

JobMedian yearly pay
Customer Service Representatives$42,830
Office Clerks, General$38,860
Medical Secretaries and Administrative Assistants$39,940
Secretaries and Administrative Assistants, Except Legal, Medical, and Executive$45,810
Receptionists and Information Clerks$34,910
Executive Secretaries and Executive Administrative Assistants$68,190
Dispatchers, Except Police, Fire, and Ambulance$49,660
Telemarketers$29,470

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.