Switchboard Operators, Including Answering Service salary in Pennsylvania
Switchboard Operators, Including Answering Service in Pennsylvania earn a median of $36,890 a year ($17.74 an hour), based on BLS data for 1,350 workers.
Pay ranges from $22,270 for the lowest-paid 10% to $46,590 for the top 10%. That is 5% lower than the national median of $38,630. Pennsylvania ranks 32nd 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 $35,820, close to the median.
Pay range for switchboard operators, including answering service in Pennsylvania
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $22,270 | $10.71 |
| 25th percentile | $28,890 | $13.89 |
| Median | $36,890 | $17.74 |
| 75th percentile | $41,760 | $20.08 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $46,590 | $22.40 |
| Average (mean) | $35,820 | $17.22 |
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 | $3,074.17 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $1,537.08 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $1,418.85 |
| Weekly | $709.42 |
| Hourly | $17.74 |
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 Pennsylvania
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| Reading, PA | $42,900 | 30 |
| Harrisburg-Carlisle, PA | $41,360 | 60 |
| Pittsburgh, PA | $39,910 | 210 |
| Lancaster, PA | $39,290 | 40 |
| Philadelphia-Camden-Wilmington, PA-NJ-DE-MD | $38,410 | 590 |
| Scranton--Wilkes-Barre, PA | $34,920 | 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 Pennsylvania
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Office Clerks, General | $44,950 | $21.61 |
| Customer Service Representative | $44,630 | $21.46 |
| Secretaries and Administrative Assistants, Except Legal, Medical, and Executive | $46,270 | $22.25 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Office and Administrative Support Workers | $65,270 | $31.38 |
| Bookkeeping, Accounting, and Auditing Clerks | $48,440 | $23.29 |
| Receptionists and Information Clerks | $36,810 | $17.70 |
| Shipping, Receiving, and Inventory Clerks | $45,780 | $22.01 |
| Medical Secretaries and Administrative Assistants | $44,930 | $21.60 |
| Billing and Posting Clerks | $46,890 | $22.55 |
| Teller | $40,200 | $19.33 |
| Postal Service Mail Carrier | $59,880 | $28.79 |
| Executive Secretaries and Executive Administrative Assistants | $75,270 | $36.19 |
| Eligibility Interviewers, Government Programs | $59,070 | $28.40 |
| Production, Planning, and Expediting Clerks | $59,240 | $28.48 |
More: Office and Administrative Support Occupations · all salaries in Pennsylvania
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 Pennsylvania?
The median salary for switchboard operators, including answering service in Pennsylvania is $36,890 a year, or $17.74 an hour. Pay ranges from $22,270 for the lowest-paid 10% to $46,590 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid switchboard operators, including answering service make in Pennsylvania?
The top 10% of switchboard operators, including answering service in Pennsylvania earn at least $46,590 a year. The top 25% earn $41,760 or more.
What is the starting pay for switchboard operators, including answering service in Pennsylvania?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $22,270 a year, and a quarter of switchboard operators, including answering service earn $28,890 or less.
How many switchboard operators, including answering service work in Pennsylvania?
About 1,350 switchboard operators, including answering service are employed in Pennsylvania, not counting the self-employed.