What is the average hourly wage for Telephone Operators?

The median hourly wage for Telephone Operators is $18.13 per hour. This translates to approximately $37,720 per year working full-time.

What states pay Telephone Operators the most?

Salaries for Telephone Operators vary significantly by location. Use the state-by-state table above to see which states offer the highest median wages for this occupation.

What education is needed to become a telephone operator?

Typical education required: High school diploma.

Telephone Operators Salary

Name: Telephone Operators Salary Data
Creator: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics
License: https://www.bls.gov/bls/linksite.htm

Official U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics Data - May 2024

Median Annual Salary

$37,720

$18.13 / hour

▼ -2% (Little or no change)

Salary Range

$19,992 - $64,878

10th to 90th percentile

Total Employed

12,380

workers nationally

🏛️ Data Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics OEWS, May 2024 | Updated: Annual | Methodology

Telephone Operators Salary by Percentile

$19,992 $64,878

10th pct Median: $37,720 90th pct

Percentile	Annual Salary	Hourly Rate
10th (Entry Level)	$19,992	$9.61
25th Percentile	$27,158	$13.06
50th (Median)	$37,720	$18.13
75th Percentile	$52,054	$25.03
90th (Top Earners)	$64,878	$31.19
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics OEWS, May 2024

Top Paying States for Telephone Operators

#	State	Median Annual	Median Hourly
1	District of Columbia (DC)	$49,790	$23.94
2	California (CA)	$47,150	$22.67
3	Massachusetts (MA)	$46,018	$22.12
4	New York (NY)	$46,018	$22.12
5	Connecticut (CT)	$44,510	$21.40
6	Maryland (MD)	$44,510	$21.40
7	Hawaii (HI)	$43,378	$20.85
8	Alaska (AK)	$42,246	$20.31
9	Washington (WA)	$42,246	$20.31
10	Colorado (CO)	$40,738	$19.59
Source: BLS OEWS May 2024

About Telephone Operators

Telephone Operators work in their specialized field applying expertise and skills to deliver value in their organization. This occupation is part of the administrative sector of the U.S. economy.

Education Requirements

Typical Entry-Level Education: High school diploma

Job Outlook for Telephone Operators

Projected Growth

-2%

2022-2032

▼ -2% (Little or no change)

Annual Job Openings

1,619,300

projected annually

Outlook data based on BLS Employment Projections program. Growth rate is projected change in employment 2022-2032.

Frequently Asked Questions

How much do Telephone Operators make?

The median annual salary for Telephone Operators is $37,720 (BLS OEWS May 2024). Entry-level workers earn around $19,992, while the top 10% earn $64,878 or more.

What is the hourly wage for Telephone Operators?

Telephone Operators earn a median hourly wage of $18.13 per hour. Working full-time (40 hrs/week, 52 weeks), this equals approximately $37,720 annually.

Is Telephone Operators a good-paying career?

With a median salary of $37,720, Telephone Operators represents a viable career path. Job outlook: Little or no change (-2% growth, 2022-2032).

What education do Telephone Operators need?

Typical entry-level education: High school diploma. Requirements vary by employer and specialization - check with specific employers and BLS OOH for detailed requirements.