Switchboard Operators, Including Answering Service salary in New York
Switchboard Operators, Including Answering Service in New York earn a median of $45,330 a year ($21.79 an hour), based on BLS data for 1,760 workers.
Pay ranges from $36,970 for the lowest-paid 10% to $72,500 for the top 10%. That is 17% higher than the national median of $38,630. New York ranks 6th of 46 states for switchboard operators, including answering service pay. There are 0.18 switchboard operators, including answering service per 1,000 jobs here — close to the national average. The average (mean) salary is $49,950, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for switchboard operators, including answering service in New York
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $36,970 | $17.77 |
| 25th percentile | $38,430 | $18.48 |
| Median | $45,330 | $21.79 |
| 75th percentile | $54,480 | $26.19 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $72,500 | $34.86 |
| Average (mean) | $49,950 | $24.01 |
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 | $3,777.50 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $1,888.75 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $1,743.46 |
| Weekly | $871.73 |
| Hourly | $21.79 |
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 York
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| New York-Newark-Jersey City, NY-NJ | $47,350 | 1,470 |
| Kiryas Joel-Poughkeepsie-Newburgh, NY | $44,550 | 70 |
| Syracuse, NY | $44,510 | 90 |
| Binghamton, NY | $41,420 | 40 |
| Buffalo-Cheektowaga, NY | $41,330 | 170 |
| Albany-Schenectady-Troy, NY | $39,630 | 90 |
| Rochester, NY | $37,720 | 70 |
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 York
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Telephone Operator | $50,220 | $24.15 |
| Customer Service Representative | $48,000 | $23.08 |
| Office Clerks, General | $45,890 | $22.06 |
| Secretaries and Administrative Assistants, Except Legal, Medical, and Executive | $49,600 | $23.85 |
| Executive Secretaries and Executive Administrative Assistants | $80,640 | $38.77 |
| Bookkeeping, Accounting, and Auditing Clerks | $58,160 | $27.96 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Office and Administrative Support Workers | $79,170 | $38.06 |
| Receptionists and Information Clerks | $43,080 | $20.71 |
| Medical Secretaries and Administrative Assistants | $47,710 | $22.94 |
| Production, Planning, and Expediting Clerks | $60,920 | $29.29 |
| Billing and Posting Clerks | $53,320 | $25.64 |
| Shipping, Receiving, and Inventory Clerks | $47,100 | $22.65 |
| Postal Service Mail Carrier | $62,070 | $29.84 |
| Teller | $44,400 | $21.35 |
More: Office and Administrative Support Occupations · all salaries in New York
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 York?
The median salary for switchboard operators, including answering service in New York is $45,330 a year, or $21.79 an hour. Pay ranges from $36,970 for the lowest-paid 10% to $72,500 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid switchboard operators, including answering service make in New York?
The top 10% of switchboard operators, including answering service in New York earn at least $72,500 a year. The top 25% earn $54,480 or more.
What is the starting pay for switchboard operators, including answering service in New York?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $36,970 a year, and a quarter of switchboard operators, including answering service earn $38,430 or less.
How many switchboard operators, including answering service work in New York?
About 1,760 switchboard operators, including answering service are employed in New York, not counting the self-employed.