Switchboard Operators, Including Answering Service salary in Virginia
Switchboard Operators, Including Answering Service in Virginia earn a median of $36,730 a year ($17.66 an hour), based on BLS data for 610 workers.
Pay ranges from $31,200 for the lowest-paid 10% to $45,320 for the top 10%. That is 5% lower than the national median of $38,630. Virginia ranks 34th of 46 states for switchboard operators, including answering service pay. There are 0.15 switchboard operators, including answering service per 1,000 jobs here — the job is less common than nationally (location quotient 0.67). The average (mean) salary is $37,470, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for switchboard operators, including answering service in Virginia
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $31,200 | $15.00 |
| 25th percentile | $34,420 | $16.55 |
| Median | $36,730 | $17.66 |
| 75th percentile | $40,200 | $19.33 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $45,320 | $21.79 |
| Average (mean) | $37,470 | $18.02 |
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 | $3,060.83 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $1,530.42 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $1,412.69 |
| Weekly | $706.35 |
| 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 cities in Virginia
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV | $45,750 | 580 |
| Richmond, VA | $36,740 | 150 |
| 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.
Related jobs in Virginia
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Telephone Operator | $42,350 | $20.36 |
| Office Clerks, General | $46,410 | $22.31 |
| Customer Service Representative | $42,730 | $20.54 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Office and Administrative Support Workers | $67,170 | $32.29 |
| Bookkeeping, Accounting, and Auditing Clerks | $51,620 | $24.82 |
| Secretaries and Administrative Assistants, Except Legal, Medical, and Executive | $47,620 | $22.89 |
| Medical Secretaries and Administrative Assistants | $46,180 | $22.20 |
| Receptionists and Information Clerks | $37,060 | $17.82 |
| Shipping, Receiving, and Inventory Clerks | $44,290 | $21.29 |
| Executive Secretaries and Executive Administrative Assistants | $80,330 | $38.62 |
| Production, Planning, and Expediting Clerks | $61,780 | $29.70 |
| Postal Service Mail Carrier | $62,070 | $29.84 |
| Billing and Posting Clerks | $47,580 | $22.87 |
| Teller | $45,120 | $21.69 |
More: Office and Administrative Support Occupations · all salaries in Virginia
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 Virginia?
The median salary for switchboard operators, including answering service in Virginia is $36,730 a year, or $17.66 an hour. Pay ranges from $31,200 for the lowest-paid 10% to $45,320 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid switchboard operators, including answering service make in Virginia?
The top 10% of switchboard operators, including answering service in Virginia earn at least $45,320 a year. The top 25% earn $40,200 or more.
What is the starting pay for switchboard operators, including answering service in Virginia?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $31,200 a year, and a quarter of switchboard operators, including answering service earn $34,420 or less.
How many switchboard operators, including answering service work in Virginia?
About 610 switchboard operators, including answering service are employed in Virginia, not counting the self-employed.