Switchboard Operators, Including Answering Service · California

Switchboard Operators, Including Answering Service Salary in California

Switchboard Operators, Including Answering Service in California earn a median annual wage of $48,840 —26.4% above the national median of $38,630. That ranks CA #3 of 46 covered states and territories for this occupation.

Median annual
$48,840
Median hourly
$23.48
Entry level (P10)
$37,380
10th percentile
Top 10% (P90)
$79,260
90th percentile
Employment
6,680
0.4 per 1,000 jobs
vs U.S. median
+26.4%
U.S. $38,630

Wage distribution

How earnings are spread across workers in this occupation, from the 10th to the 90th percentile.

10th percentile90th percentile
$37,380
$41,600
$48,840
$65,600
$37,380$48,840$79,260
Annual wage distribution. Highlighted segment contains the median of $48,840.

Employment is 1.66× as concentrated as the national average, making California a strong market for this occupation.

Highest-paying states for switchboard operators, including answering service

All 46 states ranked by median annual wage. California is highlighted.

#StateMedian annual Median hourlyEmploymentLocation quotient
1Hawaii$59,860$28.784102.95
2District of Columbia$54,700$26.302301.47
3California$48,840$23.486,6801.66
4Washington$47,800$22.984300.55
5Minnesota$47,430$22.802000.31
6New York$45,330$21.791,7600.82
7New Hampshire$44,210$21.261000.68
8Massachusetts$43,790$21.058301.03
9Colorado$43,720$21.023200.50
10Maine$43,350$20.841000.72

Related occupations in California

Occupations in the same job family, compared within California.

Frequently asked questions

How much do switchboard operators, including answering service make in California?

The median annual wage for switchboard operators, including answering service in California is $48,840, or $23.48 per hour. That is 26.4% above the national median of $38,630.

What is the entry-level switchboard operators, including answering service salary in California?

Workers at the 10th percentile earn $37,380 per year ($17.97/hour). The 25th percentile is $41,600.

How many people work as switchboard operators, including answering service in California?

About 6,680 people work in this occupation in California, or 0.4 per 1,000 jobs statewide.

Is California a good state for switchboard operators, including answering service?

California ranks #3 of 46 states by median wage for this occupation. Employment is 1.66x as concentrated as the national average, making California a strong market for this occupation.

Which state pays switchboard operators, including answering service the most?

Hawaii has the highest median wage at $59,860 per year, followed by District of Columbia ($54,700) and California ($48,840).

Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, OEWS May 2025. Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, cross-industry estimates. Retrieved 2026-10-26. Figures are rounded by BLS to the nearest dollar (annual) and cent (hourly). Percentile wages describe the distribution of workers, not the pay range for a single job posting. bls.gov/oes