SOC 43-2021 · May 2025 · BLS OEWS
Telephone Operators — New York
New York-Newark-Jersey City, NY-NJ · 1 metro areas compared
In New York, NY the median wage for Telephone Operators is $51,410 a year, which is 23.2% higher than the national figure of $41,740.
Wage distribution · annual
Shaded band holds the middle 50% of earners
Salary overview
In New York, NY the median wage for Telephone Operators is $51,410 a year, which is 23.2% higher than the national figure of $41,740. The middle half of workers in this occupation earn between $40,100 and $58,100. The lowest tenth earn under $37,840, while the highest tenth earn more than $60,710.
Within the state, Buffalo records the highest median at $38,620. Of the 757 occupations with published wages in this area, it sits 580th.
Percentile breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | vs US median |
|---|---|---|
| 10th | $37,840 | −9.3% |
| 25th | $40,100 | −3.9% |
| Median (50th) | $51,410 | +23.2% |
| 75th | $58,100 | +39.2% |
| 90th | $60,710 | +45.4% |
| Mean | $52,200 | +25.1% |
Other metro areas in New York
| # | Metro area | Median | Jobs | Relative |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Buffalo | $38,620 | 30 |
What the pay is worth locally
Prices in New York run 7.9% above the national average, so the median of $51,410 buys what $47,646 would elsewhere in the country. Measured that way the gap against the national median narrows to 14.1% above the national median in real terms.
Published median
$51,410as reported by BLSLocal price level
107.9US average = 100 · BEA 2024Adjusted for local prices
$47,646US average = 100 · BEA 2024Key takeaways
- Median pay is $51,410 a year, 23.2% above the national median.
- Published pay spans $37,840 to $60,710 between the tenth and ninetieth percentiles.
- The highest-paying metro area covered is Buffalo, at $38,620.
Frequently asked questions
What is the median wage for Telephone Operators in New York, NY?
The median annual wage is $51,410, or $24.72 per hour, as of May 2025. Half of the workers in this occupation earn more than that and half earn less.
Is that higher than the national average?
The national median for this occupation is $41,740, so pay in New York, NY is 23.2% higher. These figures are medians, not averages: half of workers fall on each side.
What do the top earners make?
The top tenth of this occupation in New York, NY earns more than $60,710 per year. The ninetieth percentile is the highest figure the survey publishes.
What is the starting range?
The tenth percentile wage is $37,840 per year. The survey measures wages actually paid rather than experience level, so this reflects the lowest-paid tenth rather than entry-level pay specifically.
Which area nearby pays the most?
The highest median for this occupation among the metro areas covered is in Buffalo, at $38,620 per year.
Source and methodology
U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025 Wages are for wage-and-salary workers; self-employed workers are not included. 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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