Switchboard Operators, Including Answering Service salary in Chattanooga, TN-GA
Switchboard Operators, Including Answering Service in the Chattanooga, TN-GA metro area earn a median of $35,770 a year ($17.20 an hour), based on BLS data for 40 workers.
Pay ranges from $29,140 for the lowest-paid 10% to $40,540 for the top 10%. That is 7% lower than the national median of $38,630. Pay here is 1% higher than the Tennessee statewide median of $35,550. There are 0.16 switchboard operators, including answering service per 1,000 jobs here — the job is less common than nationally (location quotient 0.71). The average (mean) salary is $35,710, close to the median.
Pay range for switchboard operators, including answering service in Chattanooga, TN-GA
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $29,140 | $14.01 |
| 25th percentile | $30,470 | $14.65 |
| Median | $35,770 | $17.20 |
| 75th percentile | $38,040 | $18.29 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $40,540 | $19.49 |
| Average (mean) | $35,710 | $17.17 |
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 | $2,980.83 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $1,490.42 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $1,375.77 |
| Weekly | $687.88 |
| Hourly | $17.20 |
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 |
|---|---|---|
| Atlanta-Sandy Springs-Roswell, GA | $39,930 | 280 |
| Nashville-Davidson--Murfreesboro--Franklin, TN | $37,050 | 240 |
| Knoxville, TN | $35,360 | 70 |
| Memphis, TN-MS-AR | $34,940 | 110 |
| Columbus, GA-AL | $30,880 | 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 Tennessee statewide figures.
Related jobs in Chattanooga, TN-GA
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Customer Service Representative | $45,030 | $21.65 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Office and Administrative Support Workers | $64,150 | $30.84 |
| Office Clerks, General | $37,860 | $18.20 |
| Medical Secretaries and Administrative Assistants | $38,640 | $18.58 |
| Bookkeeping, Accounting, and Auditing Clerks | $46,920 | $22.56 |
| Secretaries and Administrative Assistants, Except Legal, Medical, and Executive | $41,990 | $20.19 |
| Shipping, Receiving, and Inventory Clerks | $41,330 | $19.87 |
| Production, Planning, and Expediting Clerks | $52,740 | $25.36 |
| Receptionists and Information Clerks | $35,070 | $16.86 |
| Billing and Posting Clerks | $47,190 | $22.69 |
| Insurance Claims and Policy Processing Clerks | $48,770 | $23.45 |
| Postal Service Mail Carrier | $55,930 | $26.89 |
| Hotel, Motel, and Resort Desk Clerks | $29,350 | $14.11 |
| Teller | $37,280 | $17.92 |
More: Office and Administrative Support Occupations · all salaries in Chattanooga, TN-GA
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 Chattanooga, TN-GA?
The median salary for switchboard operators, including answering service in the Chattanooga, TN-GA metro area is $35,770 a year, or $17.20 an hour. Pay ranges from $29,140 for the lowest-paid 10% to $40,540 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid switchboard operators, including answering service make in Chattanooga, TN-GA?
The top 10% of switchboard operators, including answering service in the Chattanooga, TN-GA metro area earn at least $40,540 a year. The top 25% earn $38,040 or more.
What is the starting pay for switchboard operators, including answering service in Chattanooga, TN-GA?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $29,140 a year, and a quarter of switchboard operators, including answering service earn $30,470 or less.
How many switchboard operators, including answering service work in Chattanooga, TN-GA?
About 40 switchboard operators, including answering service are employed in the Chattanooga, TN-GA metro area, not counting the self-employed.