Switchboard Operators, Including Answering Service salary in Washington
Switchboard Operators, Including Answering Service in Washington earn a median of $47,800 a year ($22.98 an hour), based on BLS data for 430 workers.
Pay ranges from $36,850 for the lowest-paid 10% to $60,590 for the top 10%. That is 24% higher than the national median of $38,630. Washington ranks 4th of 46 states for switchboard operators, including answering service pay, one of the best-paying states for this job. There are 0.12 switchboard operators, including answering service per 1,000 jobs here — the job is less common than nationally (location quotient 0.55). The average (mean) salary is $48,140, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for switchboard operators, including answering service in Washington
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $36,850 | $17.72 |
| 25th percentile | $41,040 | $19.73 |
| Median | $47,800 | $22.98 |
| 75th percentile | $52,870 | $25.42 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $60,590 | $29.13 |
| Average (mean) | $48,140 | $23.14 |
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 | $3,983.33 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $1,991.67 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $1,838.46 |
| Weekly | $919.23 |
| Hourly | $22.98 |
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 Washington
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA | $50,470 | 190 |
| Spokane-Spokane Valley, WA | $46,160 | 90 |
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 Washington
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Office Clerks, General | $50,500 | $24.28 |
| Customer Service Representative | $50,330 | $24.20 |
| Bookkeeping, Accounting, and Auditing Clerks | $58,620 | $28.18 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Office and Administrative Support Workers | $79,480 | $38.21 |
| Secretaries and Administrative Assistants, Except Legal, Medical, and Executive | $57,330 | $27.56 |
| Receptionists and Information Clerks | $44,710 | $21.49 |
| Shipping, Receiving, and Inventory Clerks | $51,590 | $24.80 |
| Billing and Posting Clerks | $56,090 | $26.96 |
| Executive Secretaries and Executive Administrative Assistants | $79,250 | $38.10 |
| Medical Secretaries and Administrative Assistants | $58,100 | $27.93 |
| Teller | $47,670 | $22.92 |
| Postal Service Mail Carrier | $59,990 | $28.84 |
| Hotel, Motel, and Resort Desk Clerks | $40,460 | $19.45 |
| Dispatchers, Except Police, Fire, and Ambulance | $59,330 | $28.53 |
More: Office and Administrative Support Occupations · all salaries in Washington
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 Washington?
The median salary for switchboard operators, including answering service in Washington is $47,800 a year, or $22.98 an hour. Pay ranges from $36,850 for the lowest-paid 10% to $60,590 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid switchboard operators, including answering service make in Washington?
The top 10% of switchboard operators, including answering service in Washington earn at least $60,590 a year. The top 25% earn $52,870 or more.
What is the starting pay for switchboard operators, including answering service in Washington?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $36,850 a year, and a quarter of switchboard operators, including answering service earn $41,040 or less.
How many switchboard operators, including answering service work in Washington?
About 430 switchboard operators, including answering service are employed in Washington, not counting the self-employed.