Switchboard Operators, Including Answering Service salary in Birmingham, AL
Switchboard Operators, Including Answering Service in the Birmingham, AL metro area earn a median of $33,690 a year ($16.20 an hour), based on BLS data for 180 workers.
Pay ranges from $30,370 for the lowest-paid 10% to $38,590 for the top 10%. That is 13% lower than the national median of $38,630. Pay here is 5% higher than the Alabama statewide median of $32,210. There are 0.34 switchboard operators, including answering service per 1,000 jobs here — the job is 1.5× more common than nationally. The average (mean) salary is $34,840, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for switchboard operators, including answering service in Birmingham, AL
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $30,370 | $14.60 |
| 25th percentile | $32,600 | $15.68 |
| Median | $33,690 | $16.20 |
| 75th percentile | $37,610 | $18.08 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $38,590 | $18.55 |
| Average (mean) | $34,840 | $16.75 |
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 | $2,807.50 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $1,403.75 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $1,295.77 |
| Weekly | $647.88 |
| Hourly | $16.20 |
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 |
|---|---|---|
| Huntsville, AL | $34,300 | 60 |
| 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 or the Alabama statewide figures.
Related jobs in Birmingham, AL
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Secretaries and Administrative Assistants, Except Legal, Medical, and Executive | $44,580 | $21.43 |
| Customer Service Representative | $40,530 | $19.49 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Office and Administrative Support Workers | $64,170 | $30.85 |
| Bookkeeping, Accounting, and Auditing Clerks | $47,330 | $22.76 |
| Office Clerks, General | $34,220 | $16.45 |
| Receptionists and Information Clerks | $35,610 | $17.12 |
| Shipping, Receiving, and Inventory Clerks | $38,370 | $18.45 |
| Teller | $39,840 | $19.15 |
| Postal Service Mail Carrier | $59,880 | $28.79 |
| Billing and Posting Clerks | $42,040 | $20.21 |
| Eligibility Interviewers, Government Programs | $57,740 | $27.76 |
| Loan Interviewers and Clerks | $47,120 | $22.65 |
| Executive Secretaries and Executive Administrative Assistants | $76,330 | $36.70 |
| Interviewers, Except Eligibility and Loan | $36,270 | $17.44 |
More: Office and Administrative Support Occupations · all salaries in Birmingham, AL
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 Birmingham, AL?
The median salary for switchboard operators, including answering service in the Birmingham, AL metro area is $33,690 a year, or $16.20 an hour. Pay ranges from $30,370 for the lowest-paid 10% to $38,590 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid switchboard operators, including answering service make in Birmingham, AL?
The top 10% of switchboard operators, including answering service in the Birmingham, AL metro area earn at least $38,590 a year. The top 25% earn $37,610 or more.
What is the starting pay for switchboard operators, including answering service in Birmingham, AL?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $30,370 a year, and a quarter of switchboard operators, including answering service earn $32,600 or less.
How many switchboard operators, including answering service work in Birmingham, AL?
About 180 switchboard operators, including answering service are employed in the Birmingham, AL metro area, not counting the self-employed.