Description

Operate telephone business systems equipment or switchboards to relay incoming, outgoing, and interoffice calls. May supply information to callers and record messages.

Interests

Conventional
Realistic
Enterprising

Learn More about Interests

Work Values

Relationships
Support
Independence

Learn More about Work Values

Work Styles

Dependability
Self-Control
Stress Tolerance
Attention to Detail
Concern for Others

Learn More about Work Styles

Tasks

Operate communication systems, such as telephone, switchboard, intercom, two-way radio, or public address.
Answer incoming calls, greeting callers, providing information, transferring calls or taking messages as necessary.
Greet visitors, log them in and out of the facility, assign them security badges, and contact employee escorts.
Monitor emergency and code alarms, make emergency announcements, or route emergency calls to the appropriate location.
Record messages, suggesting rewording for clarity or conciseness.

Work Activities

Getting Information
Identifying Objects, Actions, and Events
Communicating with Supervisors, Peers, or Subordinates
Performing for or Working Directly with the Public
Working with Computers

Detailed Work Activities

Observing, receiving, and otherwise obtaining information from all relevant sources.
Identifying information by categorizing, estimating, recognizing differences or similarities, and detecting changes in circumstances or events.
Providing information to supervisors, co-workers, and subordinates by telephone, in written form, e-mail, or in person.
Performing for people or dealing directly with the public. This includes serving customers in restaurants and stores, and receiving clients or guests.
Using computers and computer systems (including hardware and software) to program, write software, set up functions, enter data, or process information.
Performing day-to-day administrative tasks such as maintaining information files and processing paperwork.
Using relevant information and individual judgment to determine whether events or processes comply with laws, regulations, or standards.
Entering, transcribing, recording, storing, or maintaining information in written or electronic/magnetic form.
Compiling, coding, categorizing, calculating, tabulating, auditing, or verifying information or data.
Developing constructive and cooperative working relationships with others, and maintaining them over time.

Technology Skills

Electronic mail software
Presentation software
Spreadsheet software
Enterprise resource planning ERP software
Facilities management software

Abilities

Oral Comprehension
Oral Expression
Speech Clarity
Speech Recognition
Near Vision

Skills

Active Listening
Speaking
Social Perceptiveness
Service Orientation
Coordination

Knowledge

Customer and Personal Service
English Language
Administrative
Computers and Electronics
Telecommunications

Most Common Education Level

The “Most Common Education Level” refers to the level of education held by the majority of workers in a given occupation. For example, if the highest percentage of workers in a role have an Associate’s Degree, that suggests this is the typical educational requirement. Knowing this helps you plan how many years of education you may need to pursue that career.

Certificates

These are the certification(s) applicable to Switchboard Operators, Including Answering Service:

This information is currently unavailable.

Income Percentile

The income percentiles show how earnings are distributed within a profession. The 10th percentile means that 10% of workers earned less than that amount. The median (50th percentile) indicates that half of workers earned more, and half earned less. The 90th percentile reflects what the top 10% of earners in the field make.

Income Percentile	Annual Income
Low (10%)	$29,402
Median (50%)	$39,930
High (90%)	$77,842

Income by Experience

This table shows how income typically grows with experience—from entry level (0–2 years), to mid-level (3–5 years), to senior level (6–8 years), to expert level (8+ years).

Experience	Income
Entry Level	$43,619
Mid Level	$65,478
Senior Level	$82,373
Expert Level	$128,347

Employability

There are currently 44,900 jobs in this career path. Over the next 10 years, that number is expected to decrease to 33,600 positions, reflecting a projected decline of -25%.

The Projected Job Growth figure refers to the expected increase or decrease in employment within a specific career field over a certain period of time.

Projected Job Growth of -25%

Related Careers

Office Clerks, General

Median Annual Income

$41,246

Projected Job Growth

-6 %

Career Cluster(s)

Management & Entrepreneurship

Most Common Education Level

High school diploma or equivalent

Perform duties too varied and diverse to be classified in any specific office clerical occupation, requiring knowledge of office systems and procedures. Clerical duties may be assigned in accordance with the office procedures of individual establishments and may include a combination of answering telephones, bookkeeping, typing or word processing, office machine operation, and filing.

Conventional

Secretaries and Administrative Assistants, Except Legal, Medical, and Executive

Median Annual Income

$44,727

Projected Job Growth

0 %

Career Cluster(s)

Management & Entrepreneurship

Most Common Education Level

High school diploma or equivalent

Perform routine administrative functions such as drafting correspondence, scheduling appointments, organizing and maintaining paper and electronic files, or providing information to callers.

ConventionalEnterprisingSocial

Telephone Operators

Median Annual Income

$37,508

Projected Job Growth

-26 %

Career Cluster(s)

Public Service & Safety

Most Common Education Level

High school diploma or equivalent

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.

ConventionalSocialEnterprising

Dispatchers, Except Police, Fire, and Ambulance

Median Annual Income

$48,148

Projected Job Growth

0 %

Career Cluster(s)

Public Service & Safety

Most Common Education Level

High school diploma or equivalent

Schedule and dispatch workers, work crews, equipment, or service vehicles for conveyance of materials, freight, or passengers, or for normal installation, service, or emergency repairs rendered outside the place of business. Duties may include using radio, telephone, or computer to transmit assignments and compiling statistics and reports on work progress.

ConventionalRealistic

Receptionists and Information Clerks

Median Annual Income

$35,714

Projected Job Growth

-1 %

Career Cluster(s)

Hospitality, Events, & Tourism

Most Common Education Level

High school diploma or equivalent

Answer inquiries and provide information to the general public, customers, visitors, and other interested parties regarding activities conducted at establishment and location of departments, offices, and employees within the organization.

ConventionalEnterprisingSocial

Medical Secretaries and Administrative Assistants

Median Annual Income

$41,605

Projected Job Growth

+5 %

Career Cluster(s)

Healthcare & Human Services

Most Common Education Level

High school diploma or equivalent

Perform secretarial duties using specific knowledge of medical terminology and hospital, clinic, or laboratory procedures. Duties may include scheduling appointments, billing patients, and compiling and recording medical charts, reports, and correspondence.

ConventionalSocial

Executive Secretaries and Executive Administrative Assistants

Median Annual Income

$71,756

Projected Job Growth

0 %

Career Cluster(s)

Management & Entrepreneurship

Most Common Education Level

High school diploma or equivalent

Provide high-level administrative support by conducting research, preparing statistical reports, and handling information requests, as well as performing routine administrative functions such as preparing correspondence, receiving visitors, arranging conference calls, and scheduling meetings. May also train and supervise lower-level clerical staff.

ConventionalEnterprisingSocial

Public Safety Telecommunicators

Median Annual Income

$50,771

Projected Job Growth

+4 %

Career Cluster(s)

Public Service & Safety

Most Common Education Level

High school diploma or equivalent

Operate telephone, radio, or other communication systems to receive and communicate requests for emergency assistance at 9-1-1 public safety answering points and emergency operations centers. Take information from the public and other sources regarding crimes, threats, disturbances, acts of terrorism, fires, medical emergencies, and other public safety matters. May coordinate and provide information to law enforcement and emergency response personnel. May access sensitive databases and other information sources as needed. May provide additional instructions to callers based on knowledge of and certification in law enforcement, fire, or emergency medical procedures.

ConventionalRealisticSocial

Customer Service Representatives

Median Annual Income

$38,719

Projected Job Growth

-5 %

Career Cluster(s)

Marketing & Sales

Most Common Education Level

High school diploma or equivalent

Interact with customers to provide basic or scripted information in response to routine inquiries about products and services. May handle and resolve general complaints. Excludes individuals whose duties are primarily installation, sales, repair, and technical support.

ConventionalEnterprisingSocial

Telemarketers

Median Annual Income

$53,743

Projected Job Growth

-22 %

Career Cluster(s)

Marketing & Sales

Most Common Education Level

No formal educational credential

Solicit donations or orders for goods or services over the telephone.

EnterprisingConventionalSocial

The career information and data on this site incorporates information from O*NET Web Services, Lightcast, CareerOneStop, and the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS). For more details regarding the data sources and the specific information sourced, click here.