Switchboard Operators, Including Answering Service salary in Tennessee
Switchboard Operators, Including Answering Service in Tennessee earn a median of $35,550 a year ($17.09 an hour), based on BLS data for 680 workers.
Pay ranges from $27,020 for the lowest-paid 10% to $46,700 for the top 10%. That is 8% lower than the national median of $38,630. Tennessee ranks 39th of 46 states for switchboard operators, including answering service pay. There are 0.21 switchboard operators, including answering service per 1,000 jobs here — close to the national average. The average (mean) salary is $35,310, close to the median.
Pay range for switchboard operators, including answering service in Tennessee
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $27,020 | $12.99 |
| 25th percentile | $30,150 | $14.49 |
| Median | $35,550 | $17.09 |
| 75th percentile | $38,870 | $18.69 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $46,700 | $22.45 |
| Average (mean) | $35,310 | $16.97 |
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 | $2,962.50 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $1,481.25 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $1,367.31 |
| Weekly | $683.65 |
| Hourly | $17.09 |
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 Tennessee
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| Nashville-Davidson--Murfreesboro--Franklin, TN | $37,050 | 240 |
| Chattanooga, TN-GA | $35,770 | 40 |
| Knoxville, TN | $35,360 | 70 |
| Memphis, TN-MS-AR | $34,940 | 110 |
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 Tennessee
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Customer Service Representative | $42,830 | $20.59 |
| Office Clerks, General | $38,860 | $18.68 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Office and Administrative Support Workers | $66,390 | $31.92 |
| Medical Secretaries and Administrative Assistants | $39,940 | $19.20 |
| Bookkeeping, Accounting, and Auditing Clerks | $48,180 | $23.16 |
| Secretaries and Administrative Assistants, Except Legal, Medical, and Executive | $45,810 | $22.03 |
| Shipping, Receiving, and Inventory Clerks | $44,920 | $21.60 |
| Production, Planning, and Expediting Clerks | $53,020 | $25.49 |
| Receptionists and Information Clerks | $34,910 | $16.79 |
| Billing and Posting Clerks | $46,330 | $22.27 |
| Teller | $36,750 | $17.67 |
| Postal Service Mail Carrier | $58,570 | $28.16 |
| Hotel, Motel, and Resort Desk Clerks | $30,160 | $14.50 |
| Insurance Claims and Policy Processing Clerks | $45,720 | $21.98 |
More: Office and Administrative Support Occupations · all salaries in Tennessee
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 Tennessee?
The median salary for switchboard operators, including answering service in Tennessee is $35,550 a year, or $17.09 an hour. Pay ranges from $27,020 for the lowest-paid 10% to $46,700 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid switchboard operators, including answering service make in Tennessee?
The top 10% of switchboard operators, including answering service in Tennessee earn at least $46,700 a year. The top 25% earn $38,870 or more.
What is the starting pay for switchboard operators, including answering service in Tennessee?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $27,020 a year, and a quarter of switchboard operators, including answering service earn $30,150 or less.
How many switchboard operators, including answering service work in Tennessee?
About 680 switchboard operators, including answering service are employed in Tennessee, not counting the self-employed.