Switchboard Operators, Including Answering Service salary in California
Switchboard Operators, Including Answering Service in California earn a median of $48,840 a year ($23.48 an hour), based on BLS data for 6,680 workers.
Pay ranges from $37,380 for the lowest-paid 10% to $79,260 for the top 10%. That is 26% higher than the national median of $38,630. California ranks 3rd of 46 states for switchboard operators, including answering service pay, one of the best-paying states for this job. There are 0.37 switchboard operators, including answering service per 1,000 jobs here — the job is 1.7× more common than nationally. The average (mean) salary is $54,360, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for switchboard operators, including answering service in California
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $37,380 | $17.97 |
| 25th percentile | $41,600 | $20.00 |
| Median | $48,840 | $23.48 |
| 75th percentile | $65,600 | $31.54 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $79,260 | $38.11 |
| Average (mean) | $54,360 | $26.13 |
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 | $4,070 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $2,035 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $1,878.46 |
| Weekly | $939.23 |
| Hourly | $23.48 |
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 California
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA | $79,260 | 440 |
| San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont, CA | $61,780 | 700 |
| Stockton-Lodi, CA | $59,360 | 170 |
| Oxnard-Thousand Oaks-Ventura, CA | $49,840 | 60 |
| Napa, CA | $49,460 | 50 |
| Salinas, CA | $48,840 | 90 |
| Sacramento-Roseville-Folsom, CA | $47,380 | 420 |
| Santa Rosa-Petaluma, CA | $46,330 | 90 |
| San Diego-Chula Vista-Carlsbad, CA | $46,080 | 570 |
| Los Angeles-Long Beach-Anaheim, CA | $45,870 | 2,110 |
| Santa Maria-Santa Barbara, CA | $44,680 | 80 |
| Fresno, CA | $44,590 | 150 |
| Visalia, CA | $44,330 | 40 |
| Modesto, CA | $44,320 | 70 |
| Merced, CA | $44,190 | 50 |
| Riverside-San Bernardino-Ontario, CA | $44,130 | 500 |
| Bakersfield-Delano, CA | $42,710 | 140 |
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 California
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Communications Equipment Operators, All Other | $79,450 | $38.20 |
| Telephone Operator | $57,170 | $27.49 |
| Office Clerks, General | $48,460 | $23.30 |
| Customer Service Representative | $49,560 | $23.83 |
| Secretaries and Administrative Assistants, Except Legal, Medical, and Executive | $55,400 | $26.64 |
| Bookkeeping, Accounting, and Auditing Clerks | $59,230 | $28.48 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Office and Administrative Support Workers | $77,590 | $37.30 |
| Medical Secretaries and Administrative Assistants | $54,490 | $26.20 |
| Shipping, Receiving, and Inventory Clerks | $46,520 | $22.36 |
| Receptionists and Information Clerks | $44,100 | $21.20 |
| Executive Secretaries and Executive Administrative Assistants | $89,000 | $42.79 |
| Production, Planning, and Expediting Clerks | $63,000 | $30.29 |
| Billing and Posting Clerks | $56,260 | $27.05 |
| Postal Service Mail Carrier | $62,090 | $29.85 |
More: Office and Administrative Support Occupations · all salaries in California
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 California?
The median salary for switchboard operators, including answering service in California is $48,840 a year, or $23.48 an hour. Pay ranges from $37,380 for the lowest-paid 10% to $79,260 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid switchboard operators, including answering service make in California?
The top 10% of switchboard operators, including answering service in California earn at least $79,260 a year. The top 25% earn $65,600 or more.
What is the starting pay for switchboard operators, including answering service in California?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $37,380 a year, and a quarter of switchboard operators, including answering service earn $41,600 or less.
How many switchboard operators, including answering service work in California?
About 6,680 switchboard operators, including answering service are employed in California, not counting the self-employed.