Switchboard Operators, Including Answering Service salary in Columbus, GA-AL
Switchboard Operators, Including Answering Service in the Columbus, GA-AL metro area earn a median of $30,880 a year ($14.85 an hour), based on BLS data for 30 workers.
Pay ranges from $29,660 for the lowest-paid 10% to $38,540 for the top 10%. That is 20% lower than the national median of $38,630. Pay here is 22% lower than the Georgia statewide median of $39,490. There are 0.28 switchboard operators, including answering service per 1,000 jobs here — the job is 1.3× more common than nationally. The average (mean) salary is $32,570, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for switchboard operators, including answering service in Columbus, GA-AL
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $29,660 | $14.26 |
| 25th percentile | $30,880 | $14.85 |
| Median | $30,880 | $14.85 |
| 75th percentile | $32,630 | $15.69 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $38,540 | $18.53 |
| Average (mean) | $32,570 | $15.66 |
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 | $2,573.33 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $1,286.67 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $1,187.69 |
| Weekly | $593.85 |
| Hourly | $14.85 |
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 |
| Chattanooga, TN-GA | $35,770 | 40 |
| Huntsville, AL | $34,300 | 60 |
| Birmingham, AL | $33,690 | 180 |
| Tuscaloosa, AL | $32,210 | 40 |
| Montgomery, AL | $32,130 | 60 |
| Mobile, AL | $30,970 | 110 |
| 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 Georgia statewide figures.
Related jobs in Columbus, GA-AL
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Customer Service Representative | $37,330 | $17.95 |
| Office Clerks, General | $37,340 | $17.95 |
| Secretaries and Administrative Assistants, Except Legal, Medical, and Executive | $37,570 | $18.06 |
| Medical Secretaries and Administrative Assistants | $38,630 | $18.57 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Office and Administrative Support Workers | $59,290 | $28.51 |
| Bookkeeping, Accounting, and Auditing Clerks | $42,800 | $20.58 |
| Receptionists and Information Clerks | $31,200 | $15.00 |
| Production, Planning, and Expediting Clerks | $47,690 | $22.93 |
| Shipping, Receiving, and Inventory Clerks | $38,870 | $18.69 |
| Billing and Posting Clerks | $38,170 | $18.35 |
| Postal Service Mail Carrier | $54,430 | $26.17 |
| Hotel, Motel, and Resort Desk Clerks | $28,120 | $13.52 |
| Court, Municipal, and License Clerks | $38,700 | $18.61 |
| Executive Secretaries and Executive Administrative Assistants | $63,000 | $30.29 |
More: Office and Administrative Support Occupations · all salaries in Columbus, GA-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 Columbus, GA-AL?
The median salary for switchboard operators, including answering service in the Columbus, GA-AL metro area is $30,880 a year, or $14.85 an hour. Pay ranges from $29,660 for the lowest-paid 10% to $38,540 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid switchboard operators, including answering service make in Columbus, GA-AL?
The top 10% of switchboard operators, including answering service in the Columbus, GA-AL metro area earn at least $38,540 a year. The top 25% earn $32,630 or more.
What is the starting pay for switchboard operators, including answering service in Columbus, GA-AL?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $29,660 a year, and a quarter of switchboard operators, including answering service earn $30,880 or less.
How many switchboard operators, including answering service work in Columbus, GA-AL?
About 30 switchboard operators, including answering service are employed in the Columbus, GA-AL metro area, not counting the self-employed.