Switchboard Operators, Including Answering Service: Salary, Job Outlook & How to Become One (2026 Parent Guide)

Switchboard Operators, Including Answering Service fall under the Office and Administrative Support category in the U.S. occupational classification. Switchboard Operators, Including Answering Service earn a median salary of $38,630 per year, ranking in the top 90% of all U.S. occupations. The Bureau of Labor Statistics projects -26.0% job growth through 2035, projected to lose jobs through 2035. Entry into this field typically requires a high school diploma plus on-the-job training, certifications, or postsecondary credentials, with specific licensing or certification depending on the state and employer. For parents whose teenager is exploring this path, the most actionable step is mapping the education requirements to specific colleges and majors before junior year — not waiting until application season.

What do switchboard operators, including answering service earn?

The median annual wage for switchboard operators, including answering service is $38,630. That puts switchboard operators, including answering service at #745 on the BLS ranked list of all U.S. occupations by median pay. This salary is around or below the U.S. median for individual workers, so career growth often depends on advancement into supervisory roles, specialization, or additional credentials. Actual pay varies meaningfully by state, employer type, and years of experience — entry-level salaries are typically 30–40% below the median, while top-decile earners often exceed it by 50% or more.

Is switchboard operators, including answering service a growing career?

The 10-year outlook for switchboard operators, including answering service is -26.0%, projected to lose jobs through 2035. Employment is projected to move from approximately 35K positions in 2024 to 26K in 2034, a net change of <1K. A declining outlook does not mean the field is disappearing; it means automation, demographics, or substitution effects are shrinking the pool of openings. Students entering a declining field should plan for adjacent skills that transfer to growing roles.

What education does my child need to become switchboard operators, including answering service?

Many switchboard operators, including answering service enter the field with a high school diploma plus on-the-job training, though employers increasingly favor candidates with certifications or some postsecondary coursework. For parents helping a teen prepare, the highest-leverage step before junior year is identifying colleges and programs that feed reliably into this occupation — Solyo's college search lets parents filter by major and admissions data side by side.

Related careers your child might also consider

• Receptionists and Information Clerks
  $38,010 median
• Gambling Cage Workers
  $37,580 median
• Library Assistants, Clerical
  $36,910 median
• Hotel, Motel, and Resort Desk Clerks
  $35,070 median
• Executive Secretaries and Executive Administrative Assistants
  $76,590 median
• First-Line Supervisors of Office and Administrative Support Workers
  $69,500 median

Common questions parents ask about switchboard operators, including answering service