Switchboard Operators, Including Answering Service salary in Reading, PA
Switchboard Operators, Including Answering Service in the Reading, PA metro area earn a median of $42,900 a year ($20.63 an hour), based on BLS data for 30 workers.
Pay ranges from $23,010 for the lowest-paid 10% to $49,750 for the top 10%. That is 11% higher than the national median of $38,630. Pay here is 16% higher than the Pennsylvania statewide median of $36,890. There are 0.18 switchboard operators, including answering service per 1,000 jobs here — close to the national average. The average (mean) salary is $39,060, close to the median.
Pay range for switchboard operators, including answering service in Reading, PA
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $23,010 | $11.06 |
| 25th percentile | $37,330 | $17.95 |
| Median | $42,900 | $20.63 |
| 75th percentile | $43,410 | $20.87 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $49,750 | $23.92 |
| Average (mean) | $39,060 | $18.78 |
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 | $3,575 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $1,787.50 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $1,650 |
| Weekly | $825 |
| Hourly | $20.63 |
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 other metro areas nearby
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| 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 or the Pennsylvania statewide figures.
Related jobs in Reading, PA
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Office Clerks, General | $46,820 | $22.51 |
| Customer Service Representative | $44,500 | $21.40 |
| Secretaries and Administrative Assistants, Except Legal, Medical, and Executive | $45,500 | $21.87 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Office and Administrative Support Workers | $66,570 | $32.01 |
| Shipping, Receiving, and Inventory Clerks | $47,960 | $23.06 |
| Bookkeeping, Accounting, and Auditing Clerks | $48,720 | $23.42 |
| Receptionists and Information Clerks | $36,390 | $17.49 |
| Medical Secretaries and Administrative Assistants | $45,210 | $21.73 |
| Teller | $43,840 | $21.08 |
| Billing and Posting Clerks | $47,510 | $22.84 |
| Postal Service Mail Carrier | $59,400 | $28.56 |
| Production, Planning, and Expediting Clerks | $61,250 | $29.45 |
| Executive Secretaries and Executive Administrative Assistants | $66,440 | $31.94 |
| Dispatchers, Except Police, Fire, and Ambulance | $49,920 | $24.00 |
More: Office and Administrative Support Occupations · all salaries in Reading, PA
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 Reading, PA?
The median salary for switchboard operators, including answering service in the Reading, PA metro area is $42,900 a year, or $20.63 an hour. Pay ranges from $23,010 for the lowest-paid 10% to $49,750 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid switchboard operators, including answering service make in Reading, PA?
The top 10% of switchboard operators, including answering service in the Reading, PA metro area earn at least $49,750 a year. The top 25% earn $43,410 or more.
What is the starting pay for switchboard operators, including answering service in Reading, PA?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $23,010 a year, and a quarter of switchboard operators, including answering service earn $37,330 or less.
How many switchboard operators, including answering service work in Reading, PA?
About 30 switchboard operators, including answering service are employed in the Reading, PA metro area, not counting the self-employed.