Switchboard Operators, Including Answering Service salary in Missouri
Switchboard Operators, Including Answering Service in Missouri earn a median of $37,130 a year ($17.85 an hour), based on BLS data for 640 workers.
Pay ranges from $32,380 for the lowest-paid 10% to $45,570 for the top 10%. That is 4% lower than the national median of $38,630. Missouri ranks 30th of 46 states for switchboard operators, including answering service pay. There are 0.22 switchboard operators, including answering service per 1,000 jobs here — close to the national average. The average (mean) salary is $37,980, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for switchboard operators, including answering service in Missouri
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $32,380 | $15.57 |
| 25th percentile | $34,820 | $16.74 |
| Median | $37,130 | $17.85 |
| 75th percentile | $39,460 | $18.97 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $45,570 | $21.91 |
| Average (mean) | $37,980 | $18.26 |
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 | $3,094.17 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $1,547.08 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $1,428.08 |
| Weekly | $714.04 |
| Hourly | $17.85 |
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 Missouri
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| Kansas City, MO-KS | $41,470 | 200 |
| St. Louis, MO-IL | $37,870 | 310 |
| Springfield, MO | $37,020 | 40 |
| Columbia, MO | $34,060 | 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.
Related jobs in Missouri
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Communications Equipment Operators, All Other | $87,030 | $41.84 |
| Office Clerks, General | $42,370 | $20.37 |
| Customer Service Representative | $44,190 | $21.24 |
| Secretaries and Administrative Assistants, Except Legal, Medical, and Executive | $43,540 | $20.93 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Office and Administrative Support Workers | $63,050 | $30.31 |
| Bookkeeping, Accounting, and Auditing Clerks | $47,990 | $23.07 |
| Receptionists and Information Clerks | $35,740 | $17.18 |
| Medical Secretaries and Administrative Assistants | $43,980 | $21.14 |
| Shipping, Receiving, and Inventory Clerks | $43,480 | $20.91 |
| Teller | $36,650 | $17.62 |
| Billing and Posting Clerks | $46,760 | $22.48 |
| Executive Secretaries and Executive Administrative Assistants | $60,320 | $29.00 |
| Postal Service Mail Carrier | $59,880 | $28.79 |
| Production, Planning, and Expediting Clerks | $54,170 | $26.04 |
More: Office and Administrative Support Occupations · all salaries in Missouri
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 Missouri?
The median salary for switchboard operators, including answering service in Missouri is $37,130 a year, or $17.85 an hour. Pay ranges from $32,380 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 Missouri?
The top 10% of switchboard operators, including answering service in Missouri earn at least $45,570 a year. The top 25% earn $39,460 or more.
What is the starting pay for switchboard operators, including answering service in Missouri?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $32,380 a year, and a quarter of switchboard operators, including answering service earn $34,820 or less.
How many switchboard operators, including answering service work in Missouri?
About 640 switchboard operators, including answering service are employed in Missouri, not counting the self-employed.