SOC 43-2021 · May 2025 · United States
Telephone Operators
National figures, with pay broken out by state and metro area
The median wage for Telephone Operators across the United States is $41,740 per year, measured over 3,430 jobs. The highest state median is in California, at $57,170.
National wage distribution · annual
Shaded band holds the middle 50% of earners
Where the pay is highest for Telephone Operators
Pay for this occupation varies by 82.1% between the highest and lowest paying states with published data. California pays $57,170 and Louisiana pays $31,400.
| # | State | Median | Jobs | Relative |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | California | $57,170 | 230 | |
| 2 | New York | $50,220 | — | |
| 3 | District of Columbia | $49,330 | 50 | |
| 4 | Massachusetts | $47,940 | — | |
| 5 | Wisconsin | $46,590 | 60 | |
| 6 | Maryland | $42,460 | 110 | |
| 7 | Virginia | $42,350 | — | |
| 8 | New Jersey | $41,960 | 190 | |
| 9 | Texas | $41,250 | 280 | |
| 10 | North Carolina | $40,360 | 40 |
States with the most Telephone Operators jobs
| # | State | Jobs | Median | Relative |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Texas | 280 | $41,250 | |
| 2 | California | 230 | $57,170 | |
| 3 | Ohio | 220 | $36,970 | |
| 4 | New Jersey | 190 | $41,960 | |
| 5 | Georgia | 160 | $36,920 | |
| 6 | Maryland | 110 | $42,460 | |
| 7 | Michigan | 80 | $37,550 | |
| 8 | Florida | 70 | $37,180 | |
| 9 | Wisconsin | 60 | $46,590 | |
| 10 | District of Columbia | 50 | $49,330 |
Top-paying metro areas
| # | Metro area | Median | Jobs |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Los Angeles | $58,900 | 110 |
| 2 | New York | $51,410 | — |
| 3 | Boston | $47,940 | — |
| 4 | Washington | $47,410 | 60 |
| 5 | Philadelphia | $45,000 | 140 |
| 6 | Austin | $44,980 | 100 |
| 7 | Baltimore | $42,460 | 80 |
| 8 | Atlanta | $40,400 | 40 |
| 9 | Cleveland | $39,570 | 70 |
| 10 | Buffalo | $38,620 | 30 |
Source and methodology
U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025 Salary Explorer is an independent project. It is not affiliated with, or endorsed by, the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics or any government agency. Full methodology.
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