Telephone Operators
SOC code 43-2021 · O*NET-SOC 43-2021.00 · Little to some preparation needed · Office and administration
Telephone Operators pay
U.S. national figures, May 2025 BLS survey · How we got this number
Median pay
$41,740
a year
Hourly
$20.07
per hour
The solid band is the middle 50% of workers; the bar spans the 10th to 90th percentile.
Average pay
$44,970
$21.62 per hour
Middle 50%
$36,920 – $51,510
25th to 75th percentile
Full spread
$31,510 – $62,950
10th to 90th percentile
People employed
3,430
nationwide
National U.S. figure, May 2025. Local pay can be higher or lower.
- 10th percentile
- $31,510
- $15.15/hr
- 25th percentile
- $36,920
- $17.75/hr
- Median percentile
- $41,740
- $20.07/hr
- 75th percentile
- $51,510
- $24.76/hr
- 90th percentile
- $62,950
- $30.27/hr
What does a telephone operator do?
Provide information by accessing alphabetical, geographical, or other directories. Assist customers with special billing requests, such as charges to a third party and credits or refunds for incorrectly dialed numbers or bad connections. May handle emergency calls and assist children or people with physical disabilities to make telephone calls.
The tasks that matter most day to day
- Observe signal lights on switchboards, and dial or press buttons to make connections.
- Operate paging systems or other systems of bells or buzzers to notify recipients of incoming calls.
- Operate telephone switchboards and systems to advance and complete connections, including those for local, long distance, pay telephone, mobile, person-to-person, and emergency calls.
- Listen to customer requests, referring to alphabetical or geographical directories to answer questions and provide telephone information.
- Monitor automated systems for placing collect calls and intervene for a callers needing assistance.
- Update directory information.
- Suggest and check alternate spellings, locations, or listing formats to customers lacking details or complete information.
- Perform clerical duties such as typing, proofreading, and sorting mail.
How to become a telephone operator
Most people in this role hold high school diploma or the equivalent (such as a ged) — 98% of workers surveyed reported it as their level of education.
Preparation level: zone 2 — Little to some preparation needed
- Education
- Usually requires a high school diploma or GED, though some occupations may not.
- Experience
- Some occupations may need little or no previous experience; others require several months to a year of experience. For example, landscaping and groundskeeping workers might require very little training or previous experience, while agricultural equipment operators can benefit from on-the job training.
- Training
- Ranges from a few days to one year of on-the-job training.
Education reported by people doing this job
- High School Diploma or the equivalent (such as a GED)98%
- Associate's Degree or other 2-year degree2%
- Some College Courses0%
Common questions
How much does a telephone operator earn?
The national median is $41,740 a year. The full range runs from $31,510 at the 10th percentile to $62,950 at the 90th — entry pay sits closer to the lower figure, and experience, licensing and specialisation move you up the range.
Can you become a telephone operator without a degree?
Yes — this occupation sits in preparation zone 2, meaning the typical entry route is usually requires a high school diploma or GED, though some occupations may not. A four-year degree is not the standard requirement, though licensing or certification may still apply.
Skills and knowledge you need
Core skills
- Active Listening4.0/5
- Speaking4.0/5
- Reading Comprehension3.0/5
- Critical Thinking3.0/5
- Monitoring2.8/5
Knowledge areas
- Customer and Personal Service4.2/5
- Telecommunications3.8/5
- Administrative3.6/5
- English Language3.2/5
- Computers and Electronics3.1/5
- Administration and Management2.6/5
Transferable strengths: Service Orientation, Social Perceptiveness, Complex Problem Solving, Coordination, Time Management.