Switchboard Operators, Including Answering Service salary in Iowa
Switchboard Operators, Including Answering Service in Iowa earn a median of $38,400 a year ($18.46 an hour), based on BLS data for 210 workers.
Pay ranges from $30,060 for the lowest-paid 10% to $45,570 for the top 10%. That is 1% lower than the national median of $38,630. Iowa ranks 20th of 46 states for switchboard operators, including answering service pay. There are 0.14 switchboard operators, including answering service per 1,000 jobs here — the job is less common than nationally (location quotient 0.62). The average (mean) salary is $40,010, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for switchboard operators, including answering service in Iowa
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $30,060 | $14.45 |
| 25th percentile | $36,600 | $17.60 |
| Median | $38,400 | $18.46 |
| 75th percentile | $42,580 | $20.47 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $45,570 | $21.91 |
| Average (mean) | $40,010 | $19.23 |
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 | $3,200 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $1,600 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $1,476.92 |
| Weekly | $738.46 |
| Hourly | $18.46 |
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 Iowa
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| Des Moines-West Des Moines, IA | $41,100 | 30 |
| Omaha, NE-IA | $38,300 | 70 |
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 Iowa
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Customer Service Representative | $46,090 | $22.16 |
| Office Clerks, General | $44,310 | $21.30 |
| Bookkeeping, Accounting, and Auditing Clerks | $48,180 | $23.17 |
| Secretaries and Administrative Assistants, Except Legal, Medical, and Executive | $45,150 | $21.71 |
| Medical Secretaries and Administrative Assistants | $40,980 | $19.70 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Office and Administrative Support Workers | $64,400 | $30.96 |
| Shipping, Receiving, and Inventory Clerks | $47,590 | $22.88 |
| Teller | $38,450 | $18.49 |
| Receptionists and Information Clerks | $37,330 | $17.95 |
| Executive Secretaries and Executive Administrative Assistants | $62,340 | $29.97 |
| Postal Service Mail Carrier | $59,880 | $28.79 |
| Billing and Posting Clerks | $47,110 | $22.65 |
| Production, Planning, and Expediting Clerks | $60,320 | $29.00 |
| Office and Administrative Support Workers, All Other | $51,700 | $24.86 |
More: Office and Administrative Support Occupations · all salaries in Iowa
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 Iowa?
The median salary for switchboard operators, including answering service in Iowa is $38,400 a year, or $18.46 an hour. Pay ranges from $30,060 for the lowest-paid 10% to $45,570 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid switchboard operators, including answering service make in Iowa?
The top 10% of switchboard operators, including answering service in Iowa earn at least $45,570 a year. The top 25% earn $42,580 or more.
What is the starting pay for switchboard operators, including answering service in Iowa?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $30,060 a year, and a quarter of switchboard operators, including answering service earn $36,600 or less.
How many switchboard operators, including answering service work in Iowa?
About 210 switchboard operators, including answering service are employed in Iowa, not counting the self-employed.