DETAILED OCCUPATION DATA
43-2011 Switchboard Operators, Including Answering Service
Occupational Description:
Operate telephone business systems equipment or switchboards to relay incoming, outgoing, and interoffice calls. May supply information to callers and record messages.| Percentiles | |||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Geography | Employment | Emp SE* | Mean | Mean SE* | 10th | 25th | Median | 75th | 90th |
| EDR 8 - Southwest | N/A | 13 | $11.69/hr | $0.55/hr | $9.56/hr | $10.19/hr | $11.20/hr | $13.06/hr | $14.83/hr |
| Minnesota | 1,600 | 139 | $13.99/hr | $0.34/hr | $10.19/hr | $11.27/hr | $13.50/hr | $16.44/hr | $18.58/hr |
| U S | 132,680 | 1,592 | $13.13/hr | $0.04/hr | $8.92/hr | $10.33/hr | $12.46/hr | $15.10/hr | $18.44/hr |
| *SE = Standard error, a measure of the statistical reliability of the estimate. | |||||||||
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| Occupation (click title for details) | OES | Projections | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Employment | Median Wage | % Change - | |
| Receptionists and Information Clerks | 280 | $13.35/hr | N/A |
| Billing and Posting Clerks and Machine Operators | 160 | $15.39/hr | N/A |
| Court, Municipal, and License Clerks | 70 | $21.94/hr | N/A |
| Medical Secretaries | N/A | $13.96/hr | N/A |
Tasks for Switchboard Operators, Including Answering Service
- Operates communication system, such as telephone, switchboard, intercom, two-way radio, or public address.
- Places telephone calls as instructed.
- Greets caller, furnishes information to caller or visitor, and relays calls.
- Relays and routes messages.
- Keeps records of calls placed and charges incurred, if any.
- Date stamps and files messages.
- Receives visitors and obtains name and nature of business.
- Performs clerical duties, such as typing, proofreading, accepting orders, scheduling appointments, and sorting mail.
- Records messages, suggesting rewording for clarity and conciseness.