What Does a Telephone Operator Do? Duties, Pay & Outlook

What does a telephone operator do?

Telephone operators provide information by accessing alphabetical, geographic or other directories, and assist callers in placing calls. The median pay is $41,740 per year (BLS, May 2025), most people train for about A few weeks on the job, and employment is projected to grow -27.6% from 2025–35.

Pay data: BLS OEWS, May 2025 · Outlook: BLS 2025–35 · Checked October 15, 2026

Median pay
$41,740
$20.07/hour · May 2025
Job growth
-27.6%
2025–35, a projected decline
Openings per year
200
Average, 2025–35
Typical entry education
High school diploma or equivalent
BLS classification
Time to train
A few weeks on the job
Typical program length
U.S. jobs
3,500
Employment, 2025

What telephone operators do

Telephone operators help people make calls they can’t place themselves. They handle directory assistance, operator-assisted and collect calls, and relay services that connect callers who are deaf or hard of hearing. Many work for phone companies and relay service providers.

A high school diploma and short training are typical. BLS projects a steep decline; it is now a very small occupation.

Typical duties

Answer operator calls
Provide directory assistance
Place assisted calls
Handle collect calls
Relay calls for deaf callers
Handle emergency transfers
Record call details

Work environment and schedule

Operators work in call centers and remotely.

Schedule: Shifts include nights, weekends and holidays.

A day in the life

8:00 AMLog in to the operator console.
8:30 AMHandle directory requests.
10:00 AMPlace a collect call.
11:30 AMRelay a text call.

See a full day in the life of a telephone operator →

Telephone Operator salary

Half of telephone operators earned more than $41,740 and half earned less in May 2025. Pay ranged from about $31,510 for the lowest 10% to $62,950 for the top 10%.

$31,51010th$41,740Median$62,95090th

Full telephone operator pay scale and hourly rates →

How to become a telephone operator

Finish high school
Build typing speed
Apply to a provider
Complete training
Grow

A high school diploma and short-term on-the-job training are typical.

Step-by-step guide to becoming a telephone operator →

Skills and tools

Technical skills

Call handling
Directory search
Relay procedures
Typing
Emergency procedures

People skills

Clear speaking
Patience
Courtesy
Focus

All telephone operator skills and tools →

Pros and cons

Pros

Short training
Help people connect
Remote options
Steady pace

Cons

Steep decline in jobs
Very few openings
Repetitive work
Shift work

Certifications and licenses

Relay service training: Employer program.
Typing certificate: Helpful.
Customer service training: Helpful.
Confidentiality training: Required for relay.

Career path

Operator: Handle calls.
Lead Operator: Train.
Supervisor: Lead teams.
Call Center Manager: Run centers.

Learn the job before day one

Our Telephone Operator training (8 hours, $74.99) covers the role, 15+ key terms, step-by-step procedures such as relay a text telephone call and transfer an emergency call to 911, safety and how to land your first job.

View Telephone Operator training Is this career right for me?

Switchboard Operator

Answer and route calls for businesses, hospitals and answering services.

$38,630
A few weeks on the job

Customer Service Representative

Help customers solve problems by phone, chat and email, and keep them coming back.

$44,770
2–6 weeks (paid training)

911 Dispatcher

Answer emergency calls and send police, fire and medical help.

$53,040
3–6 months

Interpreter

Help people communicate across languages in health, courts and business.

$60,170
Fluency plus 6 months–4 years of training

Compare: Telephone Operator vs. Switchboard Operator · Telephone Operator vs. Customer Service Rep · Telephone Operator vs. 911 Dispatcher · Telephone Operator vs. Interpreter

Telephone Operator FAQ

Are telephone operator jobs disappearing?

BLS projects a steep decline.

What is relay service?

It connects deaf or hard-of-hearing callers with hearing callers.

Do I need a degree?

No.

How much does a telephone operator make?

The median annual wage for telephone operators was $41,740 ($20.07 per hour) in May 2025, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. The lowest 10% earned less than $31,510 and the highest 10% earned more than $62,950.

How long does it take to become a telephone 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 telephone 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.

Sources

U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), May 2025, SOC 43-2021 (Telephone operators).
U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, BLS Employment Projections, Table 1.2 (2025–35).
O*NET OnLine summary for Telephone operators (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.

Telephone Operator