Telephone Operators

Also Called: Directory Assistance Operator, Telephone Operator

High School Diploma/GED

usually needed

Not Available
(Students Only)
Match Percentage

$29,770

Entry Salary

Below Average

Job outlook

What Telephone Operators 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.

  • Listen to customer requests, referring to alphabetical or geographical directories to answer questions and provide telephone information.
  • Suggest and check alternate spellings, locations, or listing formats to customers lacking details or complete information.
  • Offer special assistance to persons such as those who are unable to dial or who are in emergency situations.
Industry Areas:

Finance and Business • Hospitality • Retail Sales and Services • Transportation

Training Program Areas:

Hotel & Lodging • OCT-Only Finance & Business • OCT-Only Hospitality • OCT-Only Retail Sales & Service • OCT-Only Transportation • Office Administration • Retail Sales • Transportation Office Support

Expand For Additional Details

Work Context

  • Spend Time Sitting
  • Telephone
  • Deal With Unpleasant or Angry People
  • Contact With Others
  • Importance of Repeating Same Tasks

Tools

  • Premise branch exchange PBX systems
  • Special purpose telephones
  • Photocopiers
  • Paging controllers
  • Typewriters

Technology

Operating system software
Handheld computer device software
Microsoft Windows
Spreadsheet software
Microsoft Excel
Helpdesk or call center software
Computer aided dispatch software

The Education & Training You Need

Skills

  • Active Listening
  • Speaking
  • Service Orientation
  • Social Perceptiveness
  • Critical Thinking

Knowledge

Business
customer service
Arts and Humanities
English language
Communications
telecommunications
multimedia

Education

  • 84% High school diploma or equivalent
  • 16% Less than high school diploma
  • 1% Post-secondary certificate

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

Telephone Operators Currently Selected

Educational Level

High School Diploma or Equivalent

 Job Training Match

Aircraft Mechanics & Service Technicians

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

 Job Training Match

Self-Enrichment Teachers

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)
    • Realistic (Doer)
    • Social (Helper)

Work Styles

  • Stress Tolerance
  • Integrity
  • Dependability
  • Adaptability/Flexibility
  • Self Control
  • Attention to Detail

Values

  • Relationships
  • Support
  • Independence

Abilities

  • Verbal
  • Ideas and Logic

This is what Telephone Operators across the country typically make.

$14.31 / hour
$29,770 /year

Entry Level

$18.31 / hour
$38,080 /year

Median Level

$28.48 / hour
$59,230 /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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