Switchboard Operators, Including Answering Service salary in Lafayette, LA
Switchboard Operators, Including Answering Service in the Lafayette, LA metro area earn a median of $35,890 a year ($17.26 an hour), based on BLS data for 130 workers.
Pay ranges from $21,540 for the lowest-paid 10% to $56,540 for the top 10%. That is 7% lower than the national median of $38,630. Pay here is about the same as the Louisiana statewide median of $35,890. There are 0.73 switchboard operators, including answering service per 1,000 jobs here — the job is 3.3× more common than nationally. The average (mean) salary is $35,540, close to the median.
Pay range for switchboard operators, including answering service in Lafayette, LA
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $21,540 | $10.36 |
| 25th percentile | $28,080 | $13.50 |
| Median | $35,890 | $17.26 |
| 75th percentile | $38,220 | $18.38 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $56,540 | $27.18 |
| Average (mean) | $35,540 | $17.09 |
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 | $2,990.83 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $1,495.42 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $1,380.38 |
| Weekly | $690.19 |
| Hourly | $17.26 |
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 |
|---|---|---|
| Baton Rouge, LA | $38,540 | 180 |
| Alexandria, LA | $37,990 | 50 |
| Hammond, LA | $37,480 | 40 |
| New Orleans-Metairie, LA | $37,120 | 230 |
| Slidell-Mandeville-Covington, LA | $37,110 | 80 |
| Shreveport-Bossier City, LA | $37,020 | 120 |
| Monroe, LA | $35,070 | 40 |
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 Louisiana statewide figures.
Related jobs in Lafayette, LA
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Office Clerks, General | $34,510 | $16.59 |
| Secretaries and Administrative Assistants, Except Legal, Medical, and Executive | $38,060 | $18.30 |
| Customer Service Representative | $36,820 | $17.70 |
| Bookkeeping, Accounting, and Auditing Clerks | $38,910 | $18.71 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Office and Administrative Support Workers | $51,630 | $24.82 |
| Receptionists and Information Clerks | $30,170 | $14.51 |
| Shipping, Receiving, and Inventory Clerks | $40,080 | $19.27 |
| Medical Secretaries and Administrative Assistants | $37,710 | $18.13 |
| Teller | $35,400 | $17.02 |
| Postal Service Mail Carrier | $57,700 | $27.74 |
| Interviewers, Except Eligibility and Loan | $37,980 | $18.26 |
| Office and Administrative Support Workers, All Other | $45,010 | $21.64 |
| Dispatchers, Except Police, Fire, and Ambulance | $49,070 | $23.59 |
| Data Entry Keyer | $40,550 | $19.50 |
More: Office and Administrative Support Occupations · all salaries in Lafayette, LA
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 Lafayette, LA?
The median salary for switchboard operators, including answering service in the Lafayette, LA metro area is $35,890 a year, or $17.26 an hour. Pay ranges from $21,540 for the lowest-paid 10% to $56,540 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid switchboard operators, including answering service make in Lafayette, LA?
The top 10% of switchboard operators, including answering service in the Lafayette, LA metro area earn at least $56,540 a year. The top 25% earn $38,220 or more.
What is the starting pay for switchboard operators, including answering service in Lafayette, LA?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $21,540 a year, and a quarter of switchboard operators, including answering service earn $28,080 or less.
How many switchboard operators, including answering service work in Lafayette, LA?
About 130 switchboard operators, including answering service are employed in the Lafayette, LA metro area, not counting the self-employed.