Switchboard Operators, Including Answering Service salary in St. Louis, MO-IL
Switchboard Operators, Including Answering Service in the St. Louis, MO-IL metro area earn a median of $37,870 a year ($18.21 an hour), based on BLS data for 310 workers.
Pay ranges from $34,300 for the lowest-paid 10% to $44,290 for the top 10%. That is 2% lower than the national median of $38,630. Pay here is 2% higher than the Missouri statewide median of $37,130. There are 0.23 switchboard operators, including answering service per 1,000 jobs here — close to the national average. The average (mean) salary is $38,830, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for switchboard operators, including answering service in St. Louis, MO-IL
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $34,300 | $16.49 |
| 25th percentile | $36,280 | $17.44 |
| Median | $37,870 | $18.21 |
| 75th percentile | $41,080 | $19.75 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $44,290 | $21.29 |
| Average (mean) | $38,830 | $18.67 |
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 | $3,155.83 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $1,577.92 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $1,456.54 |
| Weekly | $728.27 |
| Hourly | $18.21 |
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 |
|---|---|---|
| Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN | $44,540 | 860 |
| Kansas City, MO-KS | $41,470 | 200 |
| Rockford, IL | $39,660 | 40 |
| Springfield, IL | $39,450 | 50 |
| Bloomington, IL | $38,480 | 30 |
| Peoria, IL | $38,380 | 40 |
| Springfield, MO | $37,020 | 40 |
| Columbia, MO | $34,060 | 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 Missouri statewide figures.
Related jobs in St. Louis, MO-IL
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Customer Service Representative | $45,800 | $22.02 |
| Office Clerks, General | $44,980 | $21.63 |
| Secretaries and Administrative Assistants, Except Legal, Medical, and Executive | $46,200 | $22.21 |
| Bookkeeping, Accounting, and Auditing Clerks | $49,970 | $24.03 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Office and Administrative Support Workers | $68,590 | $32.98 |
| Receptionists and Information Clerks | $36,470 | $17.53 |
| Medical Secretaries and Administrative Assistants | $45,620 | $21.93 |
| Shipping, Receiving, and Inventory Clerks | $45,340 | $21.80 |
| Billing and Posting Clerks | $47,490 | $22.83 |
| Executive Secretaries and Executive Administrative Assistants | $63,500 | $30.53 |
| Production, Planning, and Expediting Clerks | $51,260 | $24.65 |
| Teller | $38,890 | $18.70 |
| Postal Service Mail Carrier | $62,070 | $29.84 |
| Loan Interviewers and Clerks | $49,790 | $23.94 |
More: Office and Administrative Support Occupations · all salaries in St. Louis, MO-IL
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 St. Louis, MO-IL?
The median salary for switchboard operators, including answering service in the St. Louis, MO-IL metro area is $37,870 a year, or $18.21 an hour. Pay ranges from $34,300 for the lowest-paid 10% to $44,290 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid switchboard operators, including answering service make in St. Louis, MO-IL?
The top 10% of switchboard operators, including answering service in the St. Louis, MO-IL metro area earn at least $44,290 a year. The top 25% earn $41,080 or more.
What is the starting pay for switchboard operators, including answering service in St. Louis, MO-IL?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $34,300 a year, and a quarter of switchboard operators, including answering service earn $36,280 or less.
How many switchboard operators, including answering service work in St. Louis, MO-IL?
About 310 switchboard operators, including answering service are employed in the St. Louis, MO-IL metro area, not counting the self-employed.