Telephone Operator salary in New York
Telephone Operators in New York earn a median of $50,220 a year ($24.15 an hour), based on BLS data for this job.
Pay ranges from $37,840 for the lowest-paid 10% to $70,810 for the top 10%. That is 20% higher than the national median of $41,740. New York ranks 2nd of 16 states for telephone operators pay, one of the best-paying states for this job. The average (mean) salary is $52,290, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for telephone operators in New York
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $37,840 | $18.19 |
| 25th percentile | $39,140 | $18.82 |
| Median | $50,220 | $24.15 |
| 75th percentile | $58,170 | $27.97 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $70,810 | $34.04 |
| Average (mean) | $52,290 | $25.14 |
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 | $4,185 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $2,092.50 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $1,931.54 |
| Weekly | $965.77 |
| Hourly | $24.15 |
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 New York
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| New York-Newark-Jersey City, NY-NJ | $51,410 | n/a |
| Buffalo-Cheektowaga, NY | $38,620 | 30 |
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 New York
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Switchboard Operators, Including Answering Service | $45,330 | $21.79 |
| Customer Service Representative | $48,000 | $23.08 |
| Office Clerks, General | $45,890 | $22.06 |
| Secretaries and Administrative Assistants, Except Legal, Medical, and Executive | $49,600 | $23.85 |
| Executive Secretaries and Executive Administrative Assistants | $80,640 | $38.77 |
| Bookkeeping, Accounting, and Auditing Clerks | $58,160 | $27.96 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Office and Administrative Support Workers | $79,170 | $38.06 |
| Receptionists and Information Clerks | $43,080 | $20.71 |
| Medical Secretaries and Administrative Assistants | $47,710 | $22.94 |
| Production, Planning, and Expediting Clerks | $60,920 | $29.29 |
| Billing and Posting Clerks | $53,320 | $25.64 |
| Shipping, Receiving, and Inventory Clerks | $47,100 | $22.65 |
| Postal Service Mail Carrier | $62,070 | $29.84 |
| Teller | $44,400 | $21.35 |
More: Office and Administrative Support Occupations · all salaries in New York
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 New York?
The median salary for telephone operators in New York is $50,220 a year, or $24.15 an hour. Pay ranges from $37,840 for the lowest-paid 10% to $70,810 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid telephone operators make in New York?
The top 10% of telephone operators in New York earn at least $70,810 a year. The top 25% earn $58,170 or more.
What is the starting pay for telephone operators in New York?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $37,840 a year, and a quarter of telephone operators earn $39,140 or less.