Switchboard Operators, Including Answering Service salary in Knoxville, TN
Switchboard Operators, Including Answering Service in the Knoxville, TN metro area earn a median of $35,360 a year ($17.00 an hour), based on BLS data for 70 workers.
Pay ranges from $28,030 for the lowest-paid 10% to $38,370 for the top 10%. That is 8% lower than the national median of $38,630. Pay here is 1% lower than the Tennessee statewide median of $35,550. There are 0.17 switchboard operators, including answering service per 1,000 jobs here — the job is less common than nationally (location quotient 0.75). The average (mean) salary is $34,510, close to the median.
Pay range for switchboard operators, including answering service in Knoxville, TN
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $28,030 | $13.48 |
| 25th percentile | $30,510 | $14.67 |
| Median | $35,360 | $17.00 |
| 75th percentile | $36,920 | $17.75 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $38,370 | $18.45 |
| Average (mean) | $34,510 | $16.59 |
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 | $2,946.67 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $1,473.33 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $1,360 |
| Weekly | $680 |
| Hourly | $17.00 |
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 |
|---|---|---|
| Nashville-Davidson--Murfreesboro--Franklin, TN | $37,050 | 240 |
| Chattanooga, TN-GA | $35,770 | 40 |
| Memphis, TN-MS-AR | $34,940 | 110 |
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 Knoxville, TN
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Customer Service Representative | $38,840 | $18.67 |
| Office Clerks, General | $37,920 | $18.23 |
| Medical Secretaries and Administrative Assistants | $38,420 | $18.47 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Office and Administrative Support Workers | $63,580 | $30.57 |
| Secretaries and Administrative Assistants, Except Legal, Medical, and Executive | $46,000 | $22.11 |
| Bookkeeping, Accounting, and Auditing Clerks | $47,320 | $22.75 |
| Shipping, Receiving, and Inventory Clerks | $45,320 | $21.79 |
| Production, Planning, and Expediting Clerks | $50,870 | $24.46 |
| Receptionists and Information Clerks | $35,620 | $17.12 |
| Teller | $37,090 | $17.83 |
| Postal Service Mail Carrier | $58,910 | $28.32 |
| Billing and Posting Clerks | $44,830 | $21.55 |
| Hotel, Motel, and Resort Desk Clerks | $29,970 | $14.41 |
| Office and Administrative Support Workers, All Other | $41,600 | $20.00 |
More: Office and Administrative Support Occupations · all salaries in Knoxville, TN
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 Knoxville, TN?
The median salary for switchboard operators, including answering service in the Knoxville, TN metro area is $35,360 a year, or $17.00 an hour. Pay ranges from $28,030 for the lowest-paid 10% to $38,370 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid switchboard operators, including answering service make in Knoxville, TN?
The top 10% of switchboard operators, including answering service in the Knoxville, TN metro area earn at least $38,370 a year. The top 25% earn $36,920 or more.
What is the starting pay for switchboard operators, including answering service in Knoxville, TN?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $28,030 a year, and a quarter of switchboard operators, including answering service earn $30,510 or less.
How many switchboard operators, including answering service work in Knoxville, TN?
About 70 switchboard operators, including answering service are employed in the Knoxville, TN metro area, not counting the self-employed.