Switchboard Operators, Including Answering Service salary in Columbia, SC
Switchboard Operators, Including Answering Service in the Columbia, SC metro area earn a median of $32,890 a year ($15.81 an hour), based on BLS data for 40 workers.
Pay ranges from $30,840 for the lowest-paid 10% to $35,250 for the top 10%. That is 15% lower than the national median of $38,630. Pay here is 3% lower than the South Carolina statewide median of $34,010. There are 0.10 switchboard operators, including answering service per 1,000 jobs here — the job is less common than nationally (location quotient 0.46). The average (mean) salary is $33,470, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for switchboard operators, including answering service in Columbia, SC
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $30,840 | $14.83 |
| 25th percentile | $32,280 | $15.52 |
| Median | $32,890 | $15.81 |
| 75th percentile | $35,070 | $16.86 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $35,250 | $16.95 |
| Average (mean) | $33,470 | $16.09 |
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 | $2,740.83 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $1,370.42 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $1,265 |
| Weekly | $632.50 |
| Hourly | $15.81 |
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 |
|---|---|---|
| Charlotte-Concord-Gastonia, NC-SC | $42,320 | 160 |
| Charleston-North Charleston, SC | $36,890 | 100 |
| Greenville-Anderson-Greer, SC | $35,760 | 60 |
| Myrtle Beach-Conway-North Myrtle Beach, SC | $34,560 | 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 South Carolina statewide figures.
Related jobs in Columbia, SC
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Customer Service Representative | $37,430 | $18.00 |
| Office Clerks, General | $38,320 | $18.42 |
| Secretaries and Administrative Assistants, Except Legal, Medical, and Executive | $45,620 | $21.93 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Office and Administrative Support Workers | $62,230 | $29.92 |
| Bookkeeping, Accounting, and Auditing Clerks | $46,690 | $22.45 |
| Medical Secretaries and Administrative Assistants | $40,160 | $19.31 |
| Shipping, Receiving, and Inventory Clerks | $41,240 | $19.83 |
| Receptionists and Information Clerks | $35,530 | $17.08 |
| Insurance Claims and Policy Processing Clerks | $38,760 | $18.64 |
| Executive Secretaries and Executive Administrative Assistants | $56,230 | $27.03 |
| Billing and Posting Clerks | $46,370 | $22.29 |
| Production, Planning, and Expediting Clerks | $60,090 | $28.89 |
| Postal Service Mail Carrier | $55,610 | $26.74 |
| Bill and Account Collectors | $39,370 | $18.93 |
More: Office and Administrative Support Occupations · all salaries in Columbia, SC
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 Columbia, SC?
The median salary for switchboard operators, including answering service in the Columbia, SC metro area is $32,890 a year, or $15.81 an hour. Pay ranges from $30,840 for the lowest-paid 10% to $35,250 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid switchboard operators, including answering service make in Columbia, SC?
The top 10% of switchboard operators, including answering service in the Columbia, SC metro area earn at least $35,250 a year. The top 25% earn $35,070 or more.
What is the starting pay for switchboard operators, including answering service in Columbia, SC?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $30,840 a year, and a quarter of switchboard operators, including answering service earn $32,280 or less.
How many switchboard operators, including answering service work in Columbia, SC?
About 40 switchboard operators, including answering service are employed in the Columbia, SC metro area, not counting the self-employed.