Hiring Telephone Operators
Employers across the 13 metro areas we have BLS OEWS wage data for pay telephone operators a median of $37,550 to $58,900 a year (BLS OEWS, May 2025). A search through recruitlocalpros runs Tier I to Tier VI, $6,240 to $54,340, set by seniority, never by location or salary. Our vetted recruiting partner handles sourcing, screening and placement end to end.
What do telephone operators do?
- Observe signal lights on switchboards, and dial or press buttons to make connections.
- Operate telephone switchboards and systems to advance and complete connections, including those for local, long distance, pay telephone, mobile, person-to-person, and emergency calls.
- Listen to customer requests, referring to alphabetical or geographical directories to answer questions and provide telephone information.
- Update directory information.
- Suggest and check alternate spellings, locations, or listing formats to customers lacking details or complete information.
- Perform clerical duties such as typing, proofreading, and sorting mail.
Core tasks, O*NET OnLine, 43-2021.00.
What does it take to become one?
These occupations usually require a high school diploma.
Some previous work-related skill, knowledge, or experience is usually needed. For example, a teller would benefit from experience working directly with the public.
Employees in these occupations need anywhere from a few months to one year of working with experienced employees. A recognized apprenticeship program may be associated with these occupations.
O*NET Job Zone 2, SVP (4.0 to < 6.0). O*NET OnLine.
Employers commonly list experience with Microsoft Office software, Microsoft Excel, Microsoft Outlook, Microsoft PowerPoint, Microsoft Windows, Microsoft Word for this role.
What do telephone operators get paid?
BLS OEWS, May 2025 publishes a wage for telephone operators in 13 of the metro areas in this build. The median ranges from $37,550 to $58,900 a year depending on the metro, with a midpoint of $42,460. This is what employers pay, place of work, not a single national figure and not what any one person takes home.
BLS OEWS, BLS OEWS, May 2025, SOC 43-2021.
What does hiring one cost?
The same as any role: tier, not location or salary, sets the fee. Across all six tiers the published range is $6,240 to $54,340 per search. For scale, the highest published median for telephone operators in this build is $58,900. A contingency firm hiring at that level would bill roughly $11,780 to $17,670 on the first year salary alone, 20 to 30%.
Frequently asked
- How fast can a telephone operators search fill?
- 23 to 35 days, 2 to 3x faster than a typical contingency search, per the recruiting provider's published figures.
- What if the hire does not work out?
- A 45-day replacement guarantee, at 50% off a repeat search for the same role.
Price a telephone operators search
Eight questions about the role. Your tier range appears on screen, with the contingency comparison if you are paying one now.
Other office and administrative support roles
Where we run telephone operators searches
The fee does not move with the city. The wage band does, so each page prices the role against what that metro actually pays.