Switchboard Operators, Including Answering Service salary in Illinois
Switchboard Operators, Including Answering Service in Illinois earn a median of $42,660 a year ($20.51 an hour), based on BLS data for 1,240 workers.
Pay ranges from $34,450 for the lowest-paid 10% to $55,180 for the top 10%. That is 10% higher than the national median of $38,630. Illinois ranks 11th of 46 states for switchboard operators, including answering service pay. There are 0.20 switchboard operators, including answering service per 1,000 jobs here — close to the national average. The average (mean) salary is $43,410, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for switchboard operators, including answering service in Illinois
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $34,450 | $16.56 |
| 25th percentile | $38,330 | $18.43 |
| Median | $42,660 | $20.51 |
| 75th percentile | $46,150 | $22.19 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $55,180 | $26.53 |
| Average (mean) | $43,410 | $20.87 |
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 | $3,555 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $1,777.50 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $1,640.77 |
| Weekly | $820.38 |
| Hourly | $20.51 |
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 Illinois
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN | $44,540 | 860 |
| Rockford, IL | $39,660 | 40 |
| Springfield, IL | $39,450 | 50 |
| Bloomington, IL | $38,480 | 30 |
| Peoria, IL | $38,380 | 40 |
| St. Louis, MO-IL | $37,870 | 310 |
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 Illinois
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Customer Service Representative | $46,130 | $22.18 |
| Office Clerks, General | $45,730 | $21.99 |
| Secretaries and Administrative Assistants, Except Legal, Medical, and Executive | $48,310 | $23.23 |
| Bookkeeping, Accounting, and Auditing Clerks | $49,560 | $23.83 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Office and Administrative Support Workers | $69,010 | $33.18 |
| Receptionists and Information Clerks | $37,400 | $17.98 |
| Shipping, Receiving, and Inventory Clerks | $46,760 | $22.48 |
| Medical Secretaries and Administrative Assistants | $46,670 | $22.44 |
| Billing and Posting Clerks | $49,730 | $23.91 |
| Teller | $38,670 | $18.59 |
| Executive Secretaries and Executive Administrative Assistants | $74,390 | $35.76 |
| Postal Service Mail Carrier | $62,070 | $29.84 |
| Production, Planning, and Expediting Clerks | $57,880 | $27.83 |
| Insurance Claims and Policy Processing Clerks | $48,440 | $23.29 |
More: Office and Administrative Support Occupations · all salaries in Illinois
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 Illinois?
The median salary for switchboard operators, including answering service in Illinois is $42,660 a year, or $20.51 an hour. Pay ranges from $34,450 for the lowest-paid 10% to $55,180 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid switchboard operators, including answering service make in Illinois?
The top 10% of switchboard operators, including answering service in Illinois earn at least $55,180 a year. The top 25% earn $46,150 or more.
What is the starting pay for switchboard operators, including answering service in Illinois?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $34,450 a year, and a quarter of switchboard operators, including answering service earn $38,330 or less.
How many switchboard operators, including answering service work in Illinois?
About 1,240 switchboard operators, including answering service are employed in Illinois, not counting the self-employed.