Switchboard Operators, Including Answering Service salary in Rhode Island
Switchboard Operators, Including Answering Service in Rhode Island earn a median of $39,850 a year ($19.16 an hour), based on BLS data for 130 workers.
Pay ranges from $33,860 for the lowest-paid 10% to $55,440 for the top 10%. That is 3% higher than the national median of $38,630. Rhode Island ranks 16th of 46 states for switchboard operators, including answering service pay. There are 0.27 switchboard operators, including answering service per 1,000 jobs here — the job is 1.2× more common than nationally. The average (mean) salary is $42,330, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for switchboard operators, including answering service in Rhode Island
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $33,860 | $16.28 |
| 25th percentile | $37,140 | $17.86 |
| Median | $39,850 | $19.16 |
| 75th percentile | $47,020 | $22.61 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $55,440 | $26.65 |
| Average (mean) | $42,330 | $20.35 |
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 | $3,320.83 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $1,660.42 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $1,532.69 |
| Weekly | $766.35 |
| Hourly | $19.16 |
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 Rhode Island
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| Providence-Warwick, RI-MA | $38,370 | 250 |
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 Rhode Island
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Customer Service Representative | $47,550 | $22.86 |
| Office Clerks, General | $47,830 | $23.00 |
| Secretaries and Administrative Assistants, Except Legal, Medical, and Executive | $52,140 | $25.07 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Office and Administrative Support Workers | $76,030 | $36.55 |
| Bookkeeping, Accounting, and Auditing Clerks | $53,280 | $25.61 |
| Receptionists and Information Clerks | $42,620 | $20.49 |
| Shipping, Receiving, and Inventory Clerks | $45,520 | $21.89 |
| Medical Secretaries and Administrative Assistants | $46,860 | $22.53 |
| Postal Service Mail Carrier | $63,610 | $30.58 |
| Billing and Posting Clerks | $52,910 | $25.44 |
| Production, Planning, and Expediting Clerks | $65,310 | $31.40 |
| Executive Secretaries and Executive Administrative Assistants | $77,820 | $37.41 |
| Teller | $45,300 | $21.78 |
| Court, Municipal, and License Clerks | $61,670 | $29.65 |
More: Office and Administrative Support Occupations · all salaries in Rhode Island
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 Rhode Island?
The median salary for switchboard operators, including answering service in Rhode Island is $39,850 a year, or $19.16 an hour. Pay ranges from $33,860 for the lowest-paid 10% to $55,440 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid switchboard operators, including answering service make in Rhode Island?
The top 10% of switchboard operators, including answering service in Rhode Island earn at least $55,440 a year. The top 25% earn $47,020 or more.
What is the starting pay for switchboard operators, including answering service in Rhode Island?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $33,860 a year, and a quarter of switchboard operators, including answering service earn $37,140 or less.
How many switchboard operators, including answering service work in Rhode Island?
About 130 switchboard operators, including answering service are employed in Rhode Island, not counting the self-employed.