Telephone Operator salary in Detroit-Warren-Dearborn, MI
Telephone Operators in the Detroit-Warren-Dearborn, MI metro area earn a median of $37,550 a year ($18.05 an hour), based on BLS data for 50 workers.
Pay ranges from $35,650 for the lowest-paid 10% to $44,820 for the top 10%. That is 10% lower than the national median of $41,740. Pay here is about the same as the Michigan statewide median of $37,550. There are 0.03 telephone operators per 1,000 jobs here — close to the national average. The average (mean) salary is $39,770, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for telephone operators in Detroit-Warren-Dearborn, MI
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $35,650 | $17.14 |
| 25th percentile | $37,060 | $17.82 |
| Median | $37,550 | $18.05 |
| 75th percentile | $41,510 | $19.96 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $44,820 | $21.55 |
| Average (mean) | $39,770 | $19.12 |
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 | $3,129.17 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $1,564.58 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $1,444.23 |
| Weekly | $722.12 |
| Hourly | $18.05 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
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 Michigan statewide figures.
Related jobs in Detroit-Warren-Dearborn, MI
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Switchboard Operators, Including Answering Service | $37,470 | $18.02 |
| Office Clerks, General | $45,810 | $22.02 |
| Customer Service Representative | $44,730 | $21.51 |
| Secretaries and Administrative Assistants, Except Legal, Medical, and Executive | $47,330 | $22.75 |
| Bookkeeping, Accounting, and Auditing Clerks | $51,480 | $24.75 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Office and Administrative Support Workers | $67,060 | $32.24 |
| Medical Secretaries and Administrative Assistants | $42,320 | $20.35 |
| Receptionists and Information Clerks | $38,220 | $18.37 |
| Shipping, Receiving, and Inventory Clerks | $46,310 | $22.26 |
| Billing and Posting Clerks | $47,840 | $23.00 |
| Postal Service Mail Carrier | $62,070 | $29.84 |
| Teller | $45,110 | $21.69 |
| Loan Interviewers and Clerks | $51,500 | $24.76 |
| Executive Secretaries and Executive Administrative Assistants | $74,950 | $36.04 |
More: Office and Administrative Support Occupations · all salaries in Detroit-Warren-Dearborn, MI
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 Detroit-Warren-Dearborn, MI?
The median salary for telephone operators in the Detroit-Warren-Dearborn, MI metro area is $37,550 a year, or $18.05 an hour. Pay ranges from $35,650 for the lowest-paid 10% to $44,820 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid telephone operators make in Detroit-Warren-Dearborn, MI?
The top 10% of telephone operators in the Detroit-Warren-Dearborn, MI metro area earn at least $44,820 a year. The top 25% earn $41,510 or more.
What is the starting pay for telephone operators in Detroit-Warren-Dearborn, MI?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $35,650 a year, and a quarter of telephone operators earn $37,060 or less.
How many telephone operators work in Detroit-Warren-Dearborn, MI?
About 50 telephone operators are employed in the Detroit-Warren-Dearborn, MI metro area, not counting the self-employed.