Telephone Operator salary in Columbus, OH
Telephone Operators in the Columbus, OH metro area earn a median of $37,890 a year ($18.22 an hour), based on BLS data for 30 workers.
Pay ranges from $33,920 for the lowest-paid 10% to $46,780 for the top 10%. That is 9% lower than the national median of $41,740. Pay here is 2% higher than the Ohio statewide median of $36,970. There are 0.03 telephone operators per 1,000 jobs here — the job is 1.3× more common than nationally. The average (mean) salary is $38,930, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for telephone operators in Columbus, OH
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $33,920 | $16.31 |
| 25th percentile | $35,040 | $16.85 |
| Median | $37,890 | $18.22 |
| 75th percentile | $40,350 | $19.40 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $46,780 | $22.49 |
| Average (mean) | $38,930 | $18.71 |
Half of telephone operators 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 | $3,157.50 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $1,578.75 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $1,457.31 |
| Weekly | $728.65 |
| Hourly | $18.22 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Telephone Operator salary in other metro areas nearby
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| Cleveland, OH | $39,570 | 70 |
| Cincinnati, OH-KY-IN | $37,600 | 50 |
Highest-paying states for telephone operators
| State | Median salary |
|---|---|
| California | $57,170 |
| New York | $50,220 |
| District of Columbia | $49,330 |
| Massachusetts | $47,940 |
| Wisconsin | $46,590 |
| Maryland | $42,460 |
| Virginia | $42,350 |
| New Jersey | $41,960 |
| Texas | $41,250 |
| North Carolina | $40,360 |
See Telephone Operator pay in every state or the Ohio statewide figures.
Related jobs in Columbus, OH
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Switchboard Operators, Including Answering Service | $35,170 | $16.91 |
| Customer Service Representative | $46,350 | $22.28 |
| Office Clerks, General | $44,830 | $21.55 |
| Secretaries and Administrative Assistants, Except Legal, Medical, and Executive | $47,870 | $23.01 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Office and Administrative Support Workers | $66,970 | $32.20 |
| Bookkeeping, Accounting, and Auditing Clerks | $51,170 | $24.60 |
| Shipping, Receiving, and Inventory Clerks | $46,290 | $22.25 |
| Receptionists and Information Clerks | $36,910 | $17.75 |
| Medical Secretaries and Administrative Assistants | $46,220 | $22.22 |
| Billing and Posting Clerks | $47,320 | $22.75 |
| Production, Planning, and Expediting Clerks | $59,530 | $28.62 |
| Executive Secretaries and Executive Administrative Assistants | $75,880 | $36.48 |
| Teller | $37,840 | $18.19 |
| Postal Service Mail Carrier | $62,070 | $29.84 |
More: Office and Administrative Support Occupations · all salaries in Columbus, OH
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025 estimates, occupation code 43-2021. 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 telephone operator make in Columbus, OH?
The median salary for telephone operators in the Columbus, OH metro area is $37,890 a year, or $18.22 an hour. Pay ranges from $33,920 for the lowest-paid 10% to $46,780 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid telephone operators make in Columbus, OH?
The top 10% of telephone operators in the Columbus, OH metro area earn at least $46,780 a year. The top 25% earn $40,350 or more.
What is the starting pay for telephone operators in Columbus, OH?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $33,920 a year, and a quarter of telephone operators earn $35,040 or less.
How many telephone operators work in Columbus, OH?
About 30 telephone operators are employed in the Columbus, OH metro area, not counting the self-employed.