Switchboard Operators, Including Answering Service salary in Montana
Switchboard Operators, Including Answering Service in Montana earn a median of $36,270 a year ($17.44 an hour), based on BLS data for 110 workers.
Pay ranges from $30,960 for the lowest-paid 10% to $47,150 for the top 10%. That is 6% lower than the national median of $38,630. Montana ranks 36th of 46 states for switchboard operators, including answering service pay. There are 0.21 switchboard operators, including answering service per 1,000 jobs here — close to the national average. The average (mean) salary is $37,950, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for switchboard operators, including answering service in Montana
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $30,960 | $14.89 |
| 25th percentile | $35,310 | $16.98 |
| Median | $36,270 | $17.44 |
| 75th percentile | $40,810 | $19.62 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $47,150 | $22.67 |
| Average (mean) | $37,950 | $18.24 |
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 | $3,022.50 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $1,511.25 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $1,395 |
| Weekly | $697.50 |
| Hourly | $17.44 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
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 Montana
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Office Clerks, General | $46,480 | $22.35 |
| Bookkeeping, Accounting, and Auditing Clerks | $47,270 | $22.73 |
| Customer Service Representative | $45,290 | $21.77 |
| Secretaries and Administrative Assistants, Except Legal, Medical, and Executive | $43,940 | $21.13 |
| Medical Secretaries and Administrative Assistants | $43,740 | $21.03 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Office and Administrative Support Workers | $62,550 | $30.07 |
| Hotel, Motel, and Resort Desk Clerks | $35,330 | $16.99 |
| Billing and Posting Clerks | $46,730 | $22.47 |
| Teller | $38,080 | $18.31 |
| Shipping, Receiving, and Inventory Clerks | $43,590 | $20.96 |
| Information and Record Clerks, All Other | $47,840 | $23.00 |
| Court, Municipal, and License Clerks | $45,680 | $21.96 |
| Receptionists and Information Clerks | $37,360 | $17.96 |
| Postal Service Mail Carrier | $59,010 | $28.37 |
More: Office and Administrative Support Occupations · all salaries in Montana
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 Montana?
The median salary for switchboard operators, including answering service in Montana is $36,270 a year, or $17.44 an hour. Pay ranges from $30,960 for the lowest-paid 10% to $47,150 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid switchboard operators, including answering service make in Montana?
The top 10% of switchboard operators, including answering service in Montana earn at least $47,150 a year. The top 25% earn $40,810 or more.
What is the starting pay for switchboard operators, including answering service in Montana?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $30,960 a year, and a quarter of switchboard operators, including answering service earn $35,310 or less.
How many switchboard operators, including answering service work in Montana?
About 110 switchboard operators, including answering service are employed in Montana, not counting the self-employed.