Switchboard Operators, Including Answering Service salary in Alabama
Switchboard Operators, Including Answering Service in Alabama earn a median of $32,210 a year ($15.48 an hour), based on BLS data for 680 workers.
Pay ranges from $27,640 for the lowest-paid 10% to $38,260 for the top 10%. That is 17% lower than the national median of $38,630. Alabama ranks 45th of 46 states for switchboard operators, including answering service pay. There are 0.32 switchboard operators, including answering service per 1,000 jobs here — the job is 1.5× more common than nationally. The average (mean) salary is $32,860, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for switchboard operators, including answering service in Alabama
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $27,640 | $13.29 |
| 25th percentile | $30,160 | $14.50 |
| Median | $32,210 | $15.48 |
| 75th percentile | $34,510 | $16.59 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $38,260 | $18.39 |
| Average (mean) | $32,860 | $15.80 |
Half of switchboard operators, including answering service earn more than the median and half earn less. Percentiles show the spread: 10% earn less than the 10th percentile, and 10% earn more than the 90th.
Median paycheck, before taxes
| Pay period | Amount |
|---|---|
| Monthly | $2,684.17 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $1,342.08 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $1,238.85 |
| Weekly | $619.42 |
| Hourly | $15.48 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Switchboard Operators, Including Answering Service salary in cities in Alabama
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| Huntsville, AL | $34,300 | 60 |
| Birmingham, AL | $33,690 | 180 |
| Tuscaloosa, AL | $32,210 | 40 |
| Montgomery, AL | $32,130 | 60 |
| Mobile, AL | $30,970 | 110 |
| Columbus, GA-AL | $30,880 | 30 |
| Daphne-Fairhope-Foley, AL | $30,160 | 30 |
Highest-paying states for switchboard operators, including answering service
| State | Median salary |
|---|---|
| Hawaii | $59,860 |
| District of Columbia | $54,700 |
| California | $48,840 |
| Washington | $47,800 |
| Minnesota | $47,430 |
| New York | $45,330 |
| New Hampshire | $44,210 |
| Massachusetts | $43,790 |
| Colorado | $43,720 |
| Maine | $43,350 |
See Switchboard Operators, Including Answering Service pay in every state.
Related jobs in Alabama
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Secretaries and Administrative Assistants, Except Legal, Medical, and Executive | $41,630 | $20.01 |
| Customer Service Representative | $38,400 | $18.46 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Office and Administrative Support Workers | $60,360 | $29.02 |
| Bookkeeping, Accounting, and Auditing Clerks | $44,640 | $21.46 |
| Medical Secretaries and Administrative Assistants | $36,930 | $17.76 |
| Office Clerks, General | $31,200 | $15.00 |
| Receptionists and Information Clerks | $32,590 | $15.67 |
| Shipping, Receiving, and Inventory Clerks | $38,940 | $18.72 |
| Teller | $37,350 | $17.96 |
| Postal Service Mail Carrier | $57,700 | $27.74 |
| Hotel, Motel, and Resort Desk Clerks | $28,050 | $13.49 |
| Billing and Posting Clerks | $39,520 | $19.00 |
| Interviewers, Except Eligibility and Loan | $34,180 | $16.43 |
| Loan Interviewers and Clerks | $40,300 | $19.38 |
More: Office and Administrative Support Occupations · all salaries in Alabama
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025 estimates, occupation code 43-2011. Wages include base pay, tips, commissions and shift pay, but not overtime, bonuses or benefits, and exclude the self-employed.
Frequently asked questions
How much does a switchboard operators, including answering service make in Alabama?
The median salary for switchboard operators, including answering service in Alabama is $32,210 a year, or $15.48 an hour. Pay ranges from $27,640 for the lowest-paid 10% to $38,260 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid switchboard operators, including answering service make in Alabama?
The top 10% of switchboard operators, including answering service in Alabama earn at least $38,260 a year. The top 25% earn $34,510 or more.
What is the starting pay for switchboard operators, including answering service in Alabama?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $27,640 a year, and a quarter of switchboard operators, including answering service earn $30,160 or less.
How many switchboard operators, including answering service work in Alabama?
About 680 switchboard operators, including answering service are employed in Alabama, not counting the self-employed.