Telephone Operator Salary in the U.S.
Median annual pay in the U.S.
$41,740
$20.07/hour
BLS OEWS, May 2025
Wages: BLS OEWS, May 2025.
Pay
| Annual | Hourly | |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile | $31,510 | $15.15 |
| 25th percentile | $36,920 | $17.75 |
| Median | $41,740 | $20.07 |
| 75th percentile | $51,510 | $24.76 |
| 90th percentile | $62,950 | $30.27 |
Employment
- Employment in the U.S.
- 3,430
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Comparison
Wages: BLS OEWS, May 2025. Cost of living: BEA Regional Price Parities, 2024.
| Rank | Median annual pay | Adjusted for cost of living (annual) |
|---|---|---|
| California | ||
| 1st | $57,170 | $51,635 1st |
| New York | ||
| 2nd | $50,220 | $46,534 3rd |
| District of Columbia | ||
| 3rd | $49,330 | $44,886 5th |
| Massachusetts | ||
| 4th | $47,940 | $45,330 4th |
| Wisconsin | ||
| 5th | $46,590 | $49,514 2nd |
| Maryland | ||
| 6th | $42,460 | $40,454 10th |
| Virginia | ||
| 7th | $42,350 | $41,888 9th |
| New Jersey | ||
| 8th | $41,960 | $38,564 13th |
| Texas | ||
| 9th | $41,250 | $42,501 7th |
| North Carolina | ||
| 10th | $40,360 | $42,788 6th |
| Michigan | ||
| 11th | $37,550 | $39,026 12th |
| Oklahoma | ||
| 12th | $37,320 | $42,485 8th |
| Florida | ||
| 13th | $37,180 | $35,953 15th |
| Ohio | ||
| 14th | $36,970 | $39,850 11th |
| Georgia | ||
| 15th | $36,920 | $38,341 14th |
| Louisiana | ||
| 16th | $31,400 | $35,598 16th |
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Similar occupations
Related occupations from O*NET, in O*NET's order, with their BLS median pay. Each figure shows the place it is for.
- Receptionist and Information Clerk salary in the U.S.
$38,010/year U.S.
- Telemarketer salary in the U.S.
$35,450/year U.S.
- Customer Service Representative salary in the U.S.
$44,770/year U.S.
- Telecommunications Equipment Installer and Repairer, Except Line Installers salary in the U.S.
$63,890/year U.S.
- Public Safety Telecommunicator salary in the U.S.
$53,040/year U.S.
- File Clerk salary in the U.S.
$43,600/year U.S.
Outlook
- Projected employment change, 2025–35 (U.S.)
- −27.6%
- Typical education needed for entry (U.S.)
- High school diploma or equivalent
BLS Employment Projections, 2025–35
Sources and update
- Wages and employment: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), May 2025.
- Cost of living: BEA Regional Price Parities, 2024.
- Related occupations: O*NET® 31.0 Database, CC BY 4.0. Attributions
- Employment projections and typical education: BLS Employment Projections, 2025–35.
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