Median Annual Wage: $26,550
Education: High school diploma or equivalent (59%); Some college, no degree (24%); Associate's degree (6%)
Projected Growth: Decline (-3% or lower)
Related Job Titles: Communication Specialist; Switchboard Operator; PBX Operator (Private Branch Exchange Operator); Operator; CBX Operator; Telecommunications Operator; Telecommunications Clerk; Telephone Operator; Information Specialist; Switchboard Operator, Receptionist
Source: O*NET OnLine information for Switchboard Operators, Including Answering Service.
More Office and Administrative Support Careers
- Answer incoming calls, greeting callers, providing information, transferring calls or taking messages as necessary.
- Page individuals to inform them of telephone calls, using paging or interoffice communication equipment.
- Operate communication systems, such as telephone, switchboard, intercom, two-way radio, or public address.
- Relay or route written or verbal messages.
- Place telephone calls or arrange conference calls as instructed.
- Perform various data entry or word processing tasks, such as updating phone directories, typing or proofreading documents, or creating schedules.
- Process incoming or outgoing mail, packages, or deliveries.
- Perform administrative tasks, such as accepting orders, scheduling appointments or meeting rooms, or sending and receiving faxes.
Source: O*NET OnLine information for Switchboard Operators, Including Answering Service.
- Speaking - Talking to others to convey information effectively.
- Active Listening - Giving full attention to what other people are saying, taking time to understand the points being made, asking questions as appropriate, and not interrupting at inappropriate times.
- Social Perceptiveness - Being aware of others' reactions and understanding why they react as they do.
- Service Orientation - Actively looking for ways to help people.
- Writing - Communicating effectively in writing as appropriate for the needs of the audience.
- Reading Comprehension - Understanding written sentences and paragraphs in work related documents.
- Monitoring - Monitoring/Assessing performance of yourself, other individuals, or organizations to make improvements or take corrective action.
- Coordination - Adjusting actions in relation to others' actions.
- Judgment and Decision Making - Considering the relative costs and benefits of potential actions to choose the most appropriate one.
- Critical Thinking - Using logic and reasoning to identify the strengths and weaknesses of alternative solutions, conclusions or approaches to problems.
Source: O*NET OnLine information for Switchboard Operators, Including Answering Service.
