Switchboard Operators, Including Answering Service salary in Richmond, VA
Switchboard Operators, Including Answering Service in the Richmond, VA metro area earn a median of $36,740 a year ($17.66 an hour), based on BLS data for 150 workers.
Pay ranges from $32,090 for the lowest-paid 10% to $41,270 for the top 10%. That is 5% lower than the national median of $38,630. Pay here is about the same as the Virginia statewide median of $36,730. There are 0.22 switchboard operators, including answering service per 1,000 jobs here — close to the national average. The average (mean) salary is $36,770, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for switchboard operators, including answering service in Richmond, VA
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $32,090 | $15.43 |
| 25th percentile | $36,170 | $17.39 |
| Median | $36,740 | $17.66 |
| 75th percentile | $37,400 | $17.98 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $41,270 | $19.84 |
| Average (mean) | $36,770 | $17.68 |
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 | $3,061.67 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $1,530.83 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $1,413.08 |
| Weekly | $706.54 |
| Hourly | $17.66 |
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 |
|---|---|---|
| Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV | $45,750 | 580 |
| Virginia Beach-Chesapeake-Norfolk, VA-NC | $36,180 | 160 |
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 Virginia statewide figures.
Related jobs in Richmond, VA
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Customer Service Representative | $42,660 | $20.51 |
| Office Clerks, General | $46,320 | $22.27 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Office and Administrative Support Workers | $64,690 | $31.10 |
| Secretaries and Administrative Assistants, Except Legal, Medical, and Executive | $47,840 | $23.00 |
| Bookkeeping, Accounting, and Auditing Clerks | $51,400 | $24.71 |
| Shipping, Receiving, and Inventory Clerks | $44,450 | $21.37 |
| Medical Secretaries and Administrative Assistants | $44,310 | $21.30 |
| Receptionists and Information Clerks | $36,400 | $17.50 |
| Executive Secretaries and Executive Administrative Assistants | $77,510 | $37.26 |
| Billing and Posting Clerks | $47,170 | $22.68 |
| Insurance Claims and Policy Processing Clerks | $47,690 | $22.93 |
| Production, Planning, and Expediting Clerks | $59,440 | $28.58 |
| Postal Service Mail Carrier | $61,130 | $29.39 |
| Office and Administrative Support Workers, All Other | $50,480 | $24.27 |
More: Office and Administrative Support Occupations · all salaries in Richmond, VA
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 Richmond, VA?
The median salary for switchboard operators, including answering service in the Richmond, VA metro area is $36,740 a year, or $17.66 an hour. Pay ranges from $32,090 for the lowest-paid 10% to $41,270 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid switchboard operators, including answering service make in Richmond, VA?
The top 10% of switchboard operators, including answering service in the Richmond, VA metro area earn at least $41,270 a year. The top 25% earn $37,400 or more.
What is the starting pay for switchboard operators, including answering service in Richmond, VA?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $32,090 a year, and a quarter of switchboard operators, including answering service earn $36,170 or less.
How many switchboard operators, including answering service work in Richmond, VA?
About 150 switchboard operators, including answering service are employed in the Richmond, VA metro area, not counting the self-employed.