Telephone Operator salary in Wisconsin
Telephone Operators in Wisconsin earn a median of $46,590 a year ($22.40 an hour), based on BLS data for 60 workers.
Pay ranges from $38,940 for the lowest-paid 10% to $48,520 for the top 10%. That is 12% higher than the national median of $41,740. Wisconsin ranks 5th of 16 states for telephone operators pay, one of the best-paying states for this job. There are 0.02 telephone operators per 1,000 jobs here — close to the national average. The average (mean) salary is $45,260, close to the median.
Pay range for telephone operators in Wisconsin
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $38,940 | $18.72 |
| 25th percentile | $44,470 | $21.38 |
| Median | $46,590 | $22.40 |
| 75th percentile | $47,820 | $22.99 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $48,520 | $23.33 |
| Average (mean) | $45,260 | $21.76 |
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 | $3,882.50 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $1,941.25 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $1,791.92 |
| Weekly | $895.96 |
| Hourly | $22.40 |
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 |
Related jobs in Wisconsin
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Switchboard Operators, Including Answering Service | $40,030 | $19.24 |
| Office Clerks, General | $44,980 | $21.63 |
| Customer Service Representative | $46,970 | $22.58 |
| Secretaries and Administrative Assistants, Except Legal, Medical, and Executive | $47,710 | $22.94 |
| Bookkeeping, Accounting, and Auditing Clerks | $50,340 | $24.20 |
| Receptionists and Information Clerks | $41,150 | $19.78 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Office and Administrative Support Workers | $70,560 | $33.92 |
| Shipping, Receiving, and Inventory Clerks | $47,490 | $22.83 |
| Production, Planning, and Expediting Clerks | $58,540 | $28.15 |
| Teller | $39,640 | $19.06 |
| Billing and Posting Clerks | $48,230 | $23.19 |
| Medical Secretaries and Administrative Assistants | $48,380 | $23.26 |
| Postal Service Mail Carrier | $59,880 | $28.79 |
| Insurance Claims and Policy Processing Clerks | $49,170 | $23.64 |
More: Office and Administrative Support Occupations · all salaries in Wisconsin
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 Wisconsin?
The median salary for telephone operators in Wisconsin is $46,590 a year, or $22.40 an hour. Pay ranges from $38,940 for the lowest-paid 10% to $48,520 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid telephone operators make in Wisconsin?
The top 10% of telephone operators in Wisconsin earn at least $48,520 a year. The top 25% earn $47,820 or more.
What is the starting pay for telephone operators in Wisconsin?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $38,940 a year, and a quarter of telephone operators earn $44,470 or less.
How many telephone operators work in Wisconsin?
About 60 telephone operators are employed in Wisconsin, not counting the self-employed.