Switchboard Operators, Including Answering Service salary in New Jersey
Switchboard Operators, Including Answering Service in New Jersey earn a median of $40,430 a year ($19.44 an hour), based on BLS data for 660 workers.
Pay ranges from $35,780 for the lowest-paid 10% to $51,890 for the top 10%. That is 5% higher than the national median of $38,630. New Jersey ranks 13th of 46 states for switchboard operators, including answering service pay. There are 0.15 switchboard operators, including answering service per 1,000 jobs here — the job is less common than nationally (location quotient 0.70). The average (mean) salary is $43,320, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for switchboard operators, including answering service in New Jersey
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $35,780 | $17.20 |
| 25th percentile | $38,080 | $18.31 |
| Median | $40,430 | $19.44 |
| 75th percentile | $47,340 | $22.76 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $51,890 | $24.95 |
| Average (mean) | $43,320 | $20.83 |
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 | $3,369.17 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $1,684.58 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $1,555 |
| Weekly | $777.50 |
| Hourly | $19.44 |
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 New Jersey
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| New York-Newark-Jersey City, NY-NJ | $47,350 | 1,470 |
| Philadelphia-Camden-Wilmington, PA-NJ-DE-MD | $38,410 | 590 |
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 New Jersey
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Telephone Operator | $41,960 | $20.17 |
| Secretaries and Administrative Assistants, Except Legal, Medical, and Executive | $50,260 | $24.16 |
| Office Clerks, General | $48,570 | $23.35 |
| Customer Service Representative | $47,740 | $22.95 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Office and Administrative Support Workers | $76,640 | $36.85 |
| Receptionists and Information Clerks | $41,650 | $20.02 |
| Bookkeeping, Accounting, and Auditing Clerks | $58,300 | $28.03 |
| Shipping, Receiving, and Inventory Clerks | $45,440 | $21.85 |
| Medical Secretaries and Administrative Assistants | $48,660 | $23.39 |
| Billing and Posting Clerks | $51,750 | $24.88 |
| Executive Secretaries and Executive Administrative Assistants | $89,520 | $43.04 |
| Teller | $47,210 | $22.70 |
| Postal Service Mail Carrier | $61,130 | $29.39 |
| Production, Planning, and Expediting Clerks | $62,710 | $30.15 |
More: Office and Administrative Support Occupations · all salaries in New Jersey
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 New Jersey?
The median salary for switchboard operators, including answering service in New Jersey is $40,430 a year, or $19.44 an hour. Pay ranges from $35,780 for the lowest-paid 10% to $51,890 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid switchboard operators, including answering service make in New Jersey?
The top 10% of switchboard operators, including answering service in New Jersey earn at least $51,890 a year. The top 25% earn $47,340 or more.
What is the starting pay for switchboard operators, including answering service in New Jersey?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $35,780 a year, and a quarter of switchboard operators, including answering service earn $38,080 or less.
How many switchboard operators, including answering service work in New Jersey?
About 660 switchboard operators, including answering service are employed in New Jersey, not counting the self-employed.