What is a Switchboard Operator?
Career Description Operate telephone business systems equipment or switchboards to relay incoming, outgoing, and interoffice calls. May supply information to callers and record messages.
List of Switchboard Operator Job Duties
- Answer simple questions about clients’ businesses, using reference files.
- Keep records of calls placed and charges incurred.
- Monitor emergency and code alarms, make emergency announcements, or route emergency calls to the appropriate location.
- Relay or route written or verbal messages.
- Record messages, suggesting rewording for clarity or conciseness.
- Perform administrative tasks, such as accepting orders, scheduling appointments or meeting rooms, or sending and receiving faxes.
What a Switchboard Operator Should Know
Below is a list of the skills most Switchboard Operators say are important on the job.
Speaking: Talking to others to convey information effectively.
Active Listening: Giving full attention to what other people are saying, taking time to understand the points being made, asking questions as appropriate, and not interrupting at inappropriate times.
Social Perceptiveness: Being aware of others’ reactions and understanding why they react as they do.
Reading Comprehension: Understanding written sentences and paragraphs in work related documents.
Writing: Communicating effectively in writing as appropriate for the needs of the audience.
Service Orientation: Actively looking for ways to help people.
Types of Switchboard Operator
- Operators Teacher
- PBX Operator (Private Branch Exchange Operator)
- Tandem Operator
- Switchboard Operator
- Through Operator
Job Outlook for Switchboard Operators
In 2016, there was an estimated number of 93,200 jobs in the United States for Switchboard Operator. There is little to no growth in job opportunities for Switchboard Operator. Due to new job openings and attrition, there will be an average of 9,000 job openings in this field each year.
The states with the most job growth for Switchboard Operator are Maryland, Alaska, and Washington. Watch out if you plan on working in New Mexico, North Dakota, or Colorado. These states have the worst job growth for this type of profession.
Average Switchboard Operators Salary
The average yearly salary of a Switchboard Operator ranges between $21,040 and $44,640.
Switchboard Operators who work in Hawaii, District of Columbia, or Connecticut, make the highest salaries.
How much do Switchboard Operators make in each U.S. state?
| State | Annual Mean Salary |
|---|---|
| Alabama | $24,570 |
| Alaska | $35,240 |
| Arizona | $28,940 |
| Arkansas | $26,090 |
| California | $36,160 |
| Colorado | $30,400 |
| Connecticut | $42,920 |
| Delaware | $29,090 |
| District of Columbia | $41,390 |
| Florida | $28,020 |
| Georgia | $30,700 |
| Hawaii | $41,250 |
| Idaho | $29,070 |
| Illinois | $33,830 |
| Indiana | $28,550 |
| Iowa | $28,850 |
| Kansas | $28,150 |
| Kentucky | $23,950 |
| Louisiana | $27,180 |
| Maine | $28,850 |
| Maryland | $31,340 |
| Massachusetts | $34,560 |
| Michigan | $31,560 |
| Minnesota | $35,770 |
| Mississippi | $25,150 |
| Missouri | $30,790 |
| Montana | $27,120 |
| Nebraska | $30,930 |
| Nevada | $31,430 |
| New Hampshire | $31,820 |
| New Jersey | $32,830 |
| New Mexico | $29,580 |
| New York | $38,020 |
| North Carolina | $28,290 |
| North Dakota | $31,900 |
| Ohio | $28,070 |
| Oklahoma | $27,640 |
| Oregon | $37,170 |
| Pennsylvania | $29,200 |
| Rhode Island | $32,090 |
| South Carolina | $27,270 |
| Tennessee | $28,980 |
| Texas | $27,320 |
| Utah | $26,430 |
| Vermont | $30,380 |
| Virginia | $28,350 |
| Washington | $34,740 |
| West Virginia | $27,120 |
| Wisconsin | $31,580 |
| Wyoming | $30,550 |
What Tools & Technology do Switchboard Operators Use?
Below is a list of the types of tools and technologies that Switchboard Operators may use on a daily basis:
- Microsoft Excel
- Microsoft Word
- Microsoft Office
- Microsoft PowerPoint
- Microsoft Outlook
- Microsoft Access
- Word processing software
- SAP
- Microsoft Windows
- IBM Notes
Becoming a Switchboard Operator
What education or degrees do I need to become a Switchboard Operator?
What work experience do I need to become a Switchboard Operator?
Who Employs Switchboard Operators?
The table below shows some of the most common industries where those employed in this career field work.
Other Jobs You May be Interested In
Those thinking about becoming a Switchboard Operator might also be interested in the following careers:
Those who work as a Switchboard Operator sometimes switch careers to one of these choices:
References:
More about our data sources and methodologies.
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