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Occupation · SOC 43-2011

Switchboard Operators, Including Answering Service

There are 34,280 jobs in the U.S. Median pay is $38,630 a year. The most jobs are in Los Angeles–Long Beach–Anaheim, CA.

Office & Admin SupportTypical education: High school diploma or equivalent
34,280
Jobs in the U.S.
People employed, May 2025
$38,630
Median pay a year
Middle half: $34,820–$46,530
3,100
Annual openings
10-year change: −26%
High school diploma or equivalent
Typical education to enter

Metro areas with the highest employment

10 of 144 metro areas with BLS data for this occupation. LCA filings: Apr 2025–Mar 2026.

Metro areaEmploymentMedian payLCA filings
Los Angeles–Long Beach–Anaheim, CAMedian pay $45,870 · LCA filings 02,110$45,8700
New York–Newark–Jersey City, NY–NJMedian pay $47,350 · LCA filings 01,470$47,3500
Miami–Fort Lauderdale–West Palm Beach, FLMedian pay $35,080 · LCA filings 01,270$35,0800
Dallas–Fort Worth–Arlington, TXMedian pay $35,390 · LCA filings 01,200$35,3900
Chicago–Naperville–Elgin, IL–INMedian pay $44,540 · LCA filings 0860$44,5400
Houston–Pasadena–The Woodlands, TXMedian pay $34,330 · LCA filings 0740$34,3300
San Francisco–Oakland–Fremont, CAMedian pay $61,780 · LCA filings 0700$61,7800
Philadelphia–Camden–Wilmington, PA–NJ–DE–MDMedian pay $38,410 · LCA filings 0590$38,4100
Washington–Arlington–Alexandria, DC–VA–MD–WVMedian pay $45,750 · LCA filings 0580$45,7500
San Diego–Chula Vista–Carlsbad, CAMedian pay $46,080 · LCA filings 0570$46,0800

Metro areas with the highest median pay

Median pay for this occupation in each metro area, May 2025.

Metro areaMedian payEmploymentLCA filings
San Jose–Sunnyvale–Santa Clara, CAEmployment 440 · LCA filings 0$79,2604400
Urban Honolulu, HIEmployment 240 · LCA filings 0$63,1902400
San Francisco–Oakland–Fremont, CAEmployment 700 · LCA filings 0$61,7807000
Kahului–Wailuku, HIEmployment 70 · LCA filings 0$60,420700
Stockton–Lodi, CAEmployment 170 · LCA filings 0$59,3601700

Prevailing wage levels (H-1B and PERM)

The minimum yearly wage by level. Level I is entry level and Level IV is fully competent; an H-1B employer must pay at least the level that fits the job.

Metro areaLevel ILevel IILevel IIILevel IV
Los Angeles–Long Beach–Anaheim, CALevel II $43,909 · Level III $49,462 · Level IV $55,037$38,334$43,909$49,462$55,037
New York–Newark–Jersey City, NY–NJLevel II $45,115 · Level III $51,605 · Level IV $58,115$38,605$45,115$51,605$58,115
Miami–Fort Lauderdale–West Palm Beach, FLLevel II $34,112 · Level III $36,546 · Level IV $38,979$31,678$34,112$36,546$38,979
Dallas–Fort Worth–Arlington, TXLevel II $30,971 · Level III $34,008 · Level IV $37,024$27,955$30,971$34,008$37,024
Chicago–Naperville–Elgin, IL–INLevel II $41,205 · Level III $45,178 · Level IV $49,171$37,211$41,205$45,178$49,171
Houston–Pasadena–The Woodlands, TXLevel II $31,075 · Level III $34,757 · Level IV $38,438$27,394$31,075$34,757$38,438
San Francisco–Oakland–Fremont, CALevel II $52,395 · Level III $61,069 · Level IV $69,763$43,701$52,395$61,069$69,763
Philadelphia–Camden–Wilmington, PA–NJ–DE–MDLevel II $36,442 · Level III $41,018 · Level IV $45,594$31,866$36,442$41,018$45,594
Washington–Arlington–Alexandria, DC–VA–MD–WVLevel II $41,558 · Level III $46,862 · Level IV $52,166$36,254$41,558$46,862$52,166
San Diego–Chula Vista–Carlsbad, CALevel II $44,970 · Level III $49,608 · Level IV $54,246$40,331$44,970$49,608$54,246

Source: U.S. Department of Labor, OFLC Online Wage Library, July 2026–June 2027.

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Related occupations · Office & Admin Support

Customer Service RepresentativesOffice Clerks, GeneralSecretaries and Administrative Assistants, except Legal, Medical, and ExecutiveBookkeeping, Accounting, and Auditing ClerksFirst-Line Supervisors of Office and Administrative Support WorkersReceptionists and Information ClerksMedical Secretaries and Administrative AssistantsShipping, Receiving, and Inventory Clerks

Sources: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), May 2025 · BLS Employment Projections 2025-35 · U.S. Department of Labor LCA disclosure data, Apr 2025–Mar 2026 · IPEDS 2024–25. Prevailing wages: U.S. Department of Labor, OFLC Online Wage Library, July 2026–June 2027. Methodology