Telephone Operator salary in Massachusetts
Telephone Operators in Massachusetts earn a median of $47,940 a year ($23.05 an hour), based on BLS data for this job.
Pay ranges from $43,900 for the lowest-paid 10% to $79,300 for the top 10%. That is 15% higher than the national median of $41,740. Massachusetts ranks 4th of 16 states for telephone operators pay, one of the best-paying states for this job. The average (mean) salary is $50,890, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for telephone operators in Massachusetts
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $43,900 | $21.11 |
| 25th percentile | $45,150 | $21.71 |
| Median | $47,940 | $23.05 |
| 75th percentile | $47,940 | $23.05 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $79,300 | $38.12 |
| Average (mean) | $50,890 | $24.47 |
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 | $3,995 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $1,997.50 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $1,843.85 |
| Weekly | $921.92 |
| Hourly | $23.05 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Telephone Operator salary in cities in Massachusetts
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| Boston-Cambridge-Newton, MA-NH | $47,940 | n/a |
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 |
Related jobs in Massachusetts
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Switchboard Operators, Including Answering Service | $43,790 | $21.05 |
| Communications Equipment Operators, All Other | $54,500 | $26.20 |
| Customer Service Representative | $49,120 | $23.61 |
| Office Clerks, General | $49,940 | $24.01 |
| Secretaries and Administrative Assistants, Except Legal, Medical, and Executive | $57,940 | $27.86 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Office and Administrative Support Workers | $76,770 | $36.91 |
| Bookkeeping, Accounting, and Auditing Clerks | $59,830 | $28.77 |
| Medical Secretaries and Administrative Assistants | $50,290 | $24.18 |
| Receptionists and Information Clerks | $43,870 | $21.09 |
| Executive Secretaries and Executive Administrative Assistants | $82,650 | $39.73 |
| Shipping, Receiving, and Inventory Clerks | $49,240 | $23.67 |
| Postal Service Mail Carrier | $62,070 | $29.84 |
| Billing and Posting Clerks | $56,110 | $26.98 |
| Teller | $46,900 | $22.55 |
More: Office and Administrative Support Occupations · all salaries in Massachusetts
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 Massachusetts?
The median salary for telephone operators in Massachusetts is $47,940 a year, or $23.05 an hour. Pay ranges from $43,900 for the lowest-paid 10% to $79,300 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid telephone operators make in Massachusetts?
The top 10% of telephone operators in Massachusetts earn at least $79,300 a year. The top 25% earn $47,940 or more.
What is the starting pay for telephone operators in Massachusetts?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $43,900 a year, and a quarter of telephone operators earn $45,150 or less.