Switchboard Operators, Including Answering Service

Also Called: PBX Operator (Private Branch Exchange Operator), Switchboard Operator

High School Diploma/GED

usually needed

Not Available
(Students Only)
Match Percentage

$28,030

Entry Salary

Below Average

Job outlook

What Switchboard Operators, Including Answering Service do

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

  • Answer incoming calls, greeting callers, providing information, transferring calls or taking messages as necessary.
  • Operate communication systems, such as telephone, switchboard, intercom, two-way radio, or public address.
  • Page individuals to inform them of telephone calls, using paging or interoffice communication equipment.
Industry Areas:

Finance and Business • Transportation

Training Program Areas:

OCT-Only Finance & Business • OCT-Only Transportation • Office Administration • Transportation Office Support

Expand For Additional Details

Work Context

  • Contact With Others
  • Telephone
  • Deal With External Customers
  • Spend Time Sitting
  • Frequency of Decision Making

Tools

  • Premise branch exchange PBX systems
  • Photocopiers
  • Paging controllers
  • Video monitors
  • Inkjet printers

Technology

Electronic mail software
IBM Notes
Microsoft Outlook
Presentation software
Microsoft PowerPoint
Spreadsheet software
Microsoft Excel

The Education & Training You Need

Skills

  • Speaking
  • Active Listening
  • Social Perceptiveness
  • Reading Comprehension
  • Service Orientation

Knowledge

Business
customer service
administrative services
Arts and Humanities
English language
Communications
telecommunications
Engineering and Technology
computers and electronics

Education

  • 59% High school diploma or equivalent
  • 24% Some college, no degree
  • 6% Associate's degree

Experience

Some previous work-related skill, knowledge, or experience is usually needed. For example, a teller would benefit from experience working directly with the public.

What are some related occupations at different educational levels?


Job Training Match

Switchboard Operators, Including Answering Service Currently Selected

Educational Level

High School Diploma or Equivalent

 Job Training Match

Medical Secretaries & Administrative Assistants

Educational Level

Post-secondary, non-degree

 Job Training Match

Executive Secretaries & Executive Administrative Assistants

Educational Level

Associate's Degree

 Job Training Match

Brokerage Clerks

Educational Level

Bachelor's Degree

Educational Level

Advanced Degree

What are your training options on the pathway to this occupation?

Advanced Training

  • Atlanta - Job Corps

    Atlanta, Georgia

  • Excelsior Springs - Job Corps

    Excelsior Springs, Missouri

ACT & College

There are currently no college programs for this career.

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Are You a Good Fit?

Occupation Traits

    • Conventional (Organizer)
    • Enterprising (Persuader)
    • Social (Helper)

Work Styles

  • Dependability
  • Integrity
  • Self Control
  • Cooperation
  • Concern for Others
  • Attention to Detail

Values

  • Relationships
  • Support
  • Independence

Abilities

  • Verbal
  • Hearing and Speech

This is what Switchboard Operators, Including Answering Service across the country typically make.

$13.48 / hour
$28,030 /year

Entry Level

$17.67 / hour
$36,750 /year

Median Level

$28.28 / hour
$58,810 /year

Experienced Level

Income information reflects a regional average.
Income information reflects a national average.

This career’s National Job Outlook is

Below Average

Please be sure to verify the outlook of this occupation with your instructor.

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