---

Switchboard Operators, Including Answering Service in Illinois

Thinking about a career as a Switchboard Operators, Including Answering Service in Illinois? Here’s what you need to know. Operate telephone business systems equipment or switchboards to relay incoming, outgoing, and interoffice calls. May supply information to callers and record messages.

What do Switchboard Operators, Including Answering Service Make in Illinois?

The switchboard operators, including answering service working in Illinois, the median annual wage is $40,230 per year (or about $19.34/hour).Annual wages span from $33,860 at the 10th percentile to $55,140 at the 90th percentile.

Wage Statistic	Annual	Hourly
10th percentile	$33,860	$16.28
25th percentile	$37,250	$17.91
Median (50th)	$40,230	$19.34
75th percentile	$46,160	$22.19
90th percentile	$55,140	$26.51

The job concentration index in Illinois compared to the national average — is 1.30, indicating that switchboard operators, including answering service are more concentrated here than the national average.

National Wage Comparison

Nationally, switchboard operators, including answering service earn a median of $52,135 per year ($25.06/hour), below the Illinois median.

Employment Outlook

National employment for 760,791 switchboard operators, including answering service across the United States. In Illinois alone, around 1,830 people work in this role. That’s higher than the typical state, which employs around 370 switchboard operators, including answering service.

Top Illinois Metros for Switchboard Operators, Including Answering Service

The largest metro-area employers of switchboard operators, including answering service in Illinois.

Metro Area	Number Employed	Annual Median Salary
Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN	1,140	$43,020
Peoria, IL	120	$38,870
Springfield, IL	70	$37,920
Rockford, IL	40	$38,390
Bloomington, IL	30	$37,730

Top States for Switchboard Operators, Including Answering Service Employment

These states have the highest employment of switchboard operators, including answering service work.

State	Number Employed
California	7,170
Florida	2,940
Texas	2,860
New York	2,070
Illinois	1,830
Pennsylvania	1,240
Massachusetts	1,010
Missouri	880
Louisiana	870
Tennessee	870
Nevada	850
Alabama	820
Ohio	800
North Carolina	740
New Jersey	730
Puerto Rico	690
Georgia	680
South Carolina	630
Arizona	560
Maryland	530

Highest-Paying States for Switchboard Operators, Including Answering Service

The highest-paying states for switchboard operators, including answering service.

State	Annual Median Salary
Hawaii	$57,220
District of Columbia	$55,140
California	$49,460
Oregon	$49,440
Minnesota	$48,280
Washington	$46,470
New York	$45,030
Colorado	$42,740
Maine	$42,090
Montana	$41,880

Skills

Key switchboard operators, including answering service skills, rated on an importance scale of 0 to 5:

Knowledge Areas

Important knowledge areas for this occupation, rated on an importance scale of 0 to 5:

Abilities

Key abilities for switchboard operators, including answering service, rated on an importance scale of 0 to 5:

Daily Tasks

Switchboard Operators, Including Answering Service typically:

• 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.
• Page individuals to inform them of telephone calls, using paging or interoffice communication equipment.
• Relay or route written or verbal messages.
• Perform various cash handling tasks, such as collecting payments, making bank deposits, or managing petty cash.
• Place telephone calls or arrange conference calls as instructed.
• Process incoming or outgoing mail, packages, or deliveries.
• Perform various data entry or word processing tasks, such as updating phone directories, typing or proofreading documents, or creating schedules.
• Perform administrative tasks, such as accepting orders, scheduling appointments or meeting rooms, or sending and receiving faxes.

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
• Performing Administrative Activities
• Evaluating Information to Determine Compliance with Standards
• Processing Information
• Documenting/Recording Information
• Establishing and Maintaining Interpersonal Relationships
• Updating and Using Relevant Knowledge
• Monitoring Processes, Materials, or Surroundings

Tools & Technology

Common tools and software used in this occupation include: Hot technologies: Microsoft Access In-demand technologies: Microsoft Excel

Related Careers

Careers similar to switchboard operators, including answering service include:

• Telecommunications Engineering Specialists
• Telemarketers
• First-Line Supervisors of Office and Administrative Support Workers
• Telephone Operators
• Billing and Posting Clerks
• Brokerage Clerks

Also Known As

Answering Service Telephone Operator, CBX Operator (Computerized Branch Exchange Operator), Central Communications Specialist, Combination Operator, Command and Control Specialist, Communication Center Operator, Communications Coordinator, Communications Operator, Communications Specialist, Complaint Operator, Desk Operator, Exchange Operator, Information Specialist, Line Technician, Operator.

References

• U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics — https://www.bls.gov/oes/
• O*NET Online — https://www.onetonline.org/
• BLS Employment Projections — https://www.bls.gov/emp/
• O*NET-SOC code: 43-2011.00