How much does a telephone operator make?
The median telephone operator in the United States earns $39,130 per year, about $18.81 an hour. That is the midpoint of the profession: half of all telephone operators earn more, and half earn less.
Source: BLS OEWS, May 2024. SOC code 43-2021.
Telephone operator salary range
Pay for telephone operators spans a wide band. The lowest paid 10 percent earn under $31,440 a year, while the highest paid 10 percent take home more than $57,510. The average (mean) wage of $42,880 runs a bit higher than the median, which is normal for jobs where a group of top earners pulls the average up.
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile | $31,440 | $15.11 | Lowest paid |
| 25th percentile | $35,860 | $17.24 | |
| Median (50th) | $39,130 | $18.81 | Midpoint |
| 75th percentile | $48,530 | $23.33 | |
| 90th percentile | $57,510 | $27.65 | Highest paid |
Figures are national wage estimates for telephone operators (SOC 43-2021), U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, OEWS, May 2024.
Telephone operator salary by state
Where you work changes the paycheck. Telephone operators earn the most in California at $56,770 a year, and the least in Louisiana at $34,050. The table below lists every state with published data, ranked by median annual salary.
| State | Median annual | Employed |
|---|---|---|
| California | $56,770 | 190 |
| New York | $53,510 | 350 |
| Hawaii | $52,160 | 40 |
| District of Columbia | $47,890 | N/A |
| Massachusetts | $46,370 | N/A |
| Maryland | $41,220 | 110 |
| New Jersey | $40,770 | 230 |
| Connecticut | $40,620 | 30 |
| Michigan | $40,300 | 60 |
| Ohio | $38,110 | 190 |
| Kentucky | $38,100 | 100 |
| Wisconsin | $37,830 | N/A |
| Oklahoma | $37,400 | 40 |
| Texas | $36,800 | 640 |
| Georgia | $36,510 | 140 |
| South Carolina | $36,160 | 70 |
| Pennsylvania | $36,040 | 400 |
| Louisiana | $34,050 | 80 |
State median wages for telephone operators (SOC 43-2021), U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, OEWS state files, May 2024. States where the BLS does not publish a median are not shown.
Job outlook for telephone operators
The BLS projects employment of telephone operators to shrink from 2025 to 2035 (down 27.6%). That is a decline, against 3.5% average growth for all occupations. That works out to roughly 3,500 jobs in 2025 moving toward 2,500 by 2035.
Across the decade, the BLS expects about 200 openings a year for telephone operators. Most come from the need to replace workers who move to other jobs or leave the workforce, on top of any new positions from growth.
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Employment Projections program, 2025-35 (Table 1.2, Occupational projections and worker characteristics).
How to become a telephone operator
The typical entry-level education for telephone operators is a high school diploma or equivalent, according to the BLS. New hires typically complete short-term on-the-job training to reach full competency.
A four-year college degree is usually not required to start, which makes this one of the jobs you can enter without a bachelor's degree. See more high paying jobs without a degree .
Education, training, and experience data: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Employment Projections program.
What affects how much a telephone operator earns
Employer, industry, seniority, and metro area drive pay. Large organizations and high cost cities pay above small offices and entry-level roles.
Location is one of the clearest factors. The gap between the top paying state (California, $56,770) and the lowest (Louisiana, $34,050) shows how much geography alone can move the number, before experience or specialization.
About 3,950 people work as telephone operators in the United States. At $39,130 a year, the job pays below the $49,500 median for all U.S. jobs.
Telephone operator salary FAQ
How much does a telephone operator make an hour?
The median hourly wage for a telephone operator is $18.81. The middle half of telephone operators earn between $17.24 and $23.33 per hour.
What is the highest telephone operator salary?
The highest paid 10 percent of telephone operators earn more than $57,510 per year. Top earners usually have the most experience and work in the best paying regions and industries.
How much does a telephone operator make a year?
The median annual salary for a telephone operator is $39,130. The average (mean) wage of $42,880 runs a bit higher than the median, which is normal for jobs where a group of top earners pulls the average up.
Is being a telephone operator a well paid job?
At $39,130 a year, a telephone operator earns below the $49,500 median for all U.S. jobs. About 3,950 people work as telephone operators in the United States.
Which state pays telephone operators the most?
California has the highest median salary for telephone operators at $56,770 a year. New York ($53,510) and Hawaii ($52,160) follow. State medians come from the BLS OEWS state files, May 2024.
Is being a telephone operator a good career?
Employment of telephone operators is projected to shrink 27.6% from 2025 to 2035, a decline, against 3.5% average growth for all occupations. The BLS projects about 200 openings each year, from growth and from workers leaving the occupation.
Do you need a degree to become a telephone operator?
No. The BLS lists the typical entry-level education for telephone operators as a high school diploma or equivalent, so a four-year degree is usually not required to start.
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