Switchboard Operators, Including Answering Service salary in Massachusetts
Switchboard Operators, Including Answering Service in Massachusetts earn a median of $43,790 a year ($21.05 an hour), based on BLS data for 830 workers.
Pay ranges from $36,680 for the lowest-paid 10% to $57,980 for the top 10%. That is 13% higher than the national median of $38,630. Massachusetts ranks 8th of 46 states for switchboard operators, including answering service pay. There are 0.23 switchboard operators, including answering service per 1,000 jobs here — close to the national average. The average (mean) salary is $45,190, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for switchboard operators, including answering service in Massachusetts
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $36,680 | $17.64 |
| 25th percentile | $38,550 | $18.53 |
| Median | $43,790 | $21.05 |
| 75th percentile | $48,260 | $23.20 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $57,980 | $27.87 |
| Average (mean) | $45,190 | $21.72 |
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 | $3,649.17 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $1,824.58 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $1,684.23 |
| Weekly | $842.12 |
| Hourly | $21.05 |
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 Massachusetts
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| Barnstable Town, MA | $57,030 | 40 |
| Boston-Cambridge-Newton, MA-NH | $45,760 | 540 |
| Worcester, MA | $44,050 | 70 |
| Providence-Warwick, RI-MA | $38,370 | 250 |
| Springfield, MA | $38,080 | 60 |
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 Massachusetts
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Communications Equipment Operators, All Other | $54,500 | $26.20 |
| Telephone Operator | $47,940 | $23.05 |
| Customer Service Representative | $49,120 | $23.61 |
| Office Clerks, General | $49,940 | $24.01 |
| Secretaries and Administrative Assistants, Except Legal, Medical, and Executive | $57,940 | $27.86 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Office and Administrative Support Workers | $76,770 | $36.91 |
| Bookkeeping, Accounting, and Auditing Clerks | $59,830 | $28.77 |
| Medical Secretaries and Administrative Assistants | $50,290 | $24.18 |
| Receptionists and Information Clerks | $43,870 | $21.09 |
| Executive Secretaries and Executive Administrative Assistants | $82,650 | $39.73 |
| Shipping, Receiving, and Inventory Clerks | $49,240 | $23.67 |
| Postal Service Mail Carrier | $62,070 | $29.84 |
| Billing and Posting Clerks | $56,110 | $26.98 |
| Teller | $46,900 | $22.55 |
More: Office and Administrative Support Occupations · all salaries in Massachusetts
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 Massachusetts?
The median salary for switchboard operators, including answering service in Massachusetts is $43,790 a year, or $21.05 an hour. Pay ranges from $36,680 for the lowest-paid 10% to $57,980 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid switchboard operators, including answering service make in Massachusetts?
The top 10% of switchboard operators, including answering service in Massachusetts earn at least $57,980 a year. The top 25% earn $48,260 or more.
What is the starting pay for switchboard operators, including answering service in Massachusetts?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $36,680 a year, and a quarter of switchboard operators, including answering service earn $38,550 or less.
How many switchboard operators, including answering service work in Massachusetts?
About 830 switchboard operators, including answering service are employed in Massachusetts, not counting the self-employed.