Receptionist
Greet visitors, answer phones and keep the front desk running smoothly.
- $38,010
- 1–2 weeks on the job
Business & Office career
Switchboard Operator
Also called: Answering Service Operator · Call Center Operator · Telephone Receptionist · PBX Operator
What switchboard operators do, what they earn, how long training takes and how to get started, with official BLS pay data and practical, job-level detail.
What does a switchboard operator do?
Switchboard operators, including answering service, operate telephone systems to relay incoming, outgoing and interoffice calls, and take messages. The median pay is $38,630 per year (BLS, May 2025), most people train for about A few weeks on the job, and employment is projected to grow -26.0% from 2025–35.
Pay data: BLS OEWS, May 2025 · Outlook: BLS 2025–35 · Checked October 15, 2026
- Median pay$38,630$18.57/hour · May 2025
- Job growth-26.0%2025–35, a projected decline
- Openings per year3,100Average, 2025–35
- Typical entry educationHigh school diploma or equivalentBLS classification
- Time to trainA few weeks on the jobTypical program length
- U.S. jobs35,400Employment, 2025
What switchboard operators do
Switchboard operators connect callers to the right person. They answer calls, transfer them, page staff, take messages and handle after-hours calls for doctors, property managers and businesses through answering services. Hospitals use operators for overhead paging and emergency codes.
A high school diploma and short training are typical. BLS projects a steep decline as automated phone systems spread, so most openings come from turnover.
Typical duties
- Answer incoming calls
- Transfer calls
- Take messages
- Page staff
- Handle after-hours calls
- Announce emergency codes
- Keep directories current
Work environment and schedule
Operators work in hospitals, answering services and large organizations, sometimes remotely.
Schedule: Shifts cover days, nights, weekends and holidays.
A day in the life
- Log in to the console.
- Route morning calls.
- Page a doctor.
- Take messages for an office.
See a full day in the life of a switchboard operator →
Switchboard Operator salary
Half of switchboard operators earned more than $38,630 and half earned less in May 2025. Pay ranged from about $29,990 for the lowest 10% to $59,470 for the top 10%.
Full switchboard operator pay scale and hourly rates →
How to become a switchboard operator
- Finish high school
- Build typing skills
- Apply to an answering service or hospital
- Complete training
- Grow
A high school diploma and short-term on-the-job training are typical.
Step-by-step guide to becoming a switchboard operator →
Skills and tools
Technical skills
- Phone systems
- Call routing
- Message taking
- Paging
- Typing
People skills
- Clear speaking
- Calm under pressure
- Courtesy
- Multitasking
All switchboard operator skills and tools →
Pros and cons
Pros
- Short training
- Remote options at answering services
- Steady pace
- Indoor work
Cons
- Steep decline in jobs
- Low pay
- Repetitive
- Night and holiday shifts
Certifications and licenses
- Customer service certificate: Optional.
- Typing certificate: Helpful.
- Medical terminology course: Helpful for hospitals.
- HIPAA training: For healthcare.
Career path
- Operator: Answer calls.
- Lead Operator: Train others.
- Communications Supervisor: Lead teams.
- Office or Call Center Manager: Lead operations.
Learn the job before day one
Our Switchboard Operator training (8 hours, $74.99) covers the role, 15+ key terms, step-by-step procedures such as take a message an on-call doctor can act on and announce a hospital emergency code, safety and how to land your first job.
Related careers
Customer Service Representative
Help customers solve problems by phone, chat and email, and keep them coming back.
- $44,770
- 2–6 weeks (paid training)
Telephone Operator
Help callers place calls, find numbers and connect through relay services.
- $41,740
- A few weeks on the job
911 Dispatcher
Answer emergency calls and send police, fire and medical help.
- $53,040
- 3–6 months
Compare: Switchboard Operator vs. Receptionist · Switchboard Operator vs. Customer Service Rep · Switchboard Operator vs. Telephone Operator · Switchboard Operator vs. 911 Dispatcher
Switchboard Operator FAQ
Is the job declining?
Yes, BLS projects a steep decline.
Can I work from home?
Some answering services allow remote work.
Do I need a degree?
No.
How much does a switchboard operator make?
The median annual wage for switchboard operators was $38,630 ($18.57 per hour) in May 2025, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. The lowest 10% earned less than $29,990 and the highest 10% earned more than $59,470.
How long does it take to become a switchboard operator?
Most people need about A few weeks on the job of training. A high school diploma and short-term on-the-job training are typical.
Do you need a degree to be a switchboard operator?
No four-year degree is typically required. BLS lists “high school diploma or equivalent” as the typical entry-level education, plus short-term on-the-job training.
More switchboard operator questions →
Sources
- U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), May 2025, SOC 43-2011 (Switchboard operators, including answering service).
- U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, BLS Employment Projections, Table 1.2 (2025–35).
- O*NET OnLine summary for Switchboard operators, including answering service (U.S. Department of Labor).
- BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook.
Reviewed by the Career Education Institute Curriculum Team. Pay figures are national estimates; local pay varies. See our editorial policy.