Telephone Operators pay in the United States

In the U.S., the median pay for telephone operators is $20.07 an hour ($41,740 a year). About 3,430 people work in this job there.

$20.07Median hourly pay
$36,920–$51,510Middle half of workers, yearly
3,430People in this job in the U.S.

Pay range for telephone operators in the U.S.

Earns more thanHourlyYearly
10% of workers$15.15$31,510
25% of workers$17.75$36,920
Half of workers (median)$20.07$41,740
75% of workers$24.76$51,510
90% of workers$30.27$62,950

Best-paying states for telephone operators

StateMedian yearly payPeople in this job
California$57,170230
New York$50,2200
District of Columbia$49,33050
Massachusetts$47,9400
Wisconsin$46,59060
Maryland$42,460110
Virginia$42,3500
New Jersey$41,960190
Texas$41,250280
North Carolina$40,36040

Education, experience and outlook for telephone operators

  • Typical education to start: High school diploma or equivalent (BLS)
  • Related work experience most have: 1 to 2 years (O*NET)
  • Training on the job: Short-term on-the-job training (BLS)
  • Job outlook: -27.6% over ten years, declining · about 200 openings a year (BLS)

Related jobs in the U.S.

JobMedian yearly pay
Customer Service Representatives$44,770
Office Clerks, General$45,010
Sales Representatives of Services, Except Advertising, Insurance, Financial Services, and Travel$69,990
Receptionists and Information Clerks$38,010
Dispatchers, Except Police, Fire, and Ambulance$50,340
Telecommunications Equipment Installers and Repairers, Except Line Installers$63,890
Reservation and Transportation Ticket Agents and Travel Clerks$44,390
Public Safety Telecommunicators$53,040

Other job titles for this job

411 Directory Assistance Operator411 Directory Assistance OpCentral Office OperatorCo OpChange Number OperatorChange Number OpCharge OpCommunications OpDirectory Assistance OperatorDirectory Assistance OpDirectory OperatorDirectory Op

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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.