Switchboard Operators, Including Answering Service salary in Baltimore-Columbia-Towson, MD
Switchboard Operators, Including Answering Service in the Baltimore-Columbia-Towson, MD metro area earn a median of $36,260 a year ($17.43 an hour), based on BLS data for 340 workers.
Pay ranges from $31,990 for the lowest-paid 10% to $48,440 for the top 10%. That is 6% lower than the national median of $38,630. Pay here is 2% lower than the Maryland statewide median of $37,080. There are 0.25 switchboard operators, including answering service per 1,000 jobs here — close to the national average. The average (mean) salary is $38,370, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for switchboard operators, including answering service in Baltimore-Columbia-Towson, MD
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $31,990 | $15.38 |
| 25th percentile | $31,990 | $15.38 |
| Median | $36,260 | $17.43 |
| 75th percentile | $38,760 | $18.64 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $48,440 | $23.29 |
| Average (mean) | $38,370 | $18.45 |
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 | $3,021.67 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $1,510.83 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $1,394.62 |
| Weekly | $697.31 |
| Hourly | $17.43 |
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 other metro areas nearby
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV | $45,750 | 580 |
| Philadelphia-Camden-Wilmington, PA-NJ-DE-MD | $38,410 | 590 |
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 or the Maryland statewide figures.
Related jobs in Baltimore-Columbia-Towson, MD
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Telephone Operator | $42,460 | $20.41 |
| Secretaries and Administrative Assistants, Except Legal, Medical, and Executive | $49,220 | $23.66 |
| Customer Service Representative | $42,850 | $20.60 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Office and Administrative Support Workers | $75,590 | $36.34 |
| Office and Administrative Support Workers, All Other | $48,010 | $23.08 |
| Office Clerks, General | $46,250 | $22.24 |
| Receptionists and Information Clerks | $37,600 | $18.08 |
| Medical Secretaries and Administrative Assistants | $47,680 | $22.92 |
| Bookkeeping, Accounting, and Auditing Clerks | $53,570 | $25.75 |
| Executive Secretaries and Executive Administrative Assistants | $78,380 | $37.69 |
| Shipping, Receiving, and Inventory Clerks | $47,440 | $22.81 |
| Billing and Posting Clerks | $52,940 | $25.45 |
| Postal Service Mail Carrier | $62,070 | $29.84 |
| Eligibility Interviewers, Government Programs | $57,160 | $27.48 |
More: Office and Administrative Support Occupations · all salaries in Baltimore-Columbia-Towson, MD
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 Baltimore-Columbia-Towson, MD?
The median salary for switchboard operators, including answering service in the Baltimore-Columbia-Towson, MD metro area is $36,260 a year, or $17.43 an hour. Pay ranges from $31,990 for the lowest-paid 10% to $48,440 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid switchboard operators, including answering service make in Baltimore-Columbia-Towson, MD?
The top 10% of switchboard operators, including answering service in the Baltimore-Columbia-Towson, MD metro area earn at least $48,440 a year. The top 25% earn $38,760 or more.
What is the starting pay for switchboard operators, including answering service in Baltimore-Columbia-Towson, MD?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $31,990 a year, and a quarter of switchboard operators, including answering service earn $31,990 or less.
How many switchboard operators, including answering service work in Baltimore-Columbia-Towson, MD?
About 340 switchboard operators, including answering service are employed in the Baltimore-Columbia-Towson, MD metro area, not counting the self-employed.