Switchboard Operators, Including Answering Service salary in Boston-Cambridge-Newton, MA-NH
Switchboard Operators, Including Answering Service in the Boston-Cambridge-Newton, MA-NH metro area earn a median of $45,760 a year ($22.00 an hour), based on BLS data for 540 workers.
Pay ranges from $37,750 for the lowest-paid 10% to $58,120 for the top 10%. That is 18% higher than the national median of $38,630. Pay here is 4% higher than the Massachusetts statewide median of $43,790. There are 0.20 switchboard operators, including answering service per 1,000 jobs here — close to the national average. The average (mean) salary is $46,070, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for switchboard operators, including answering service in Boston-Cambridge-Newton, MA-NH
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $37,750 | $18.15 |
| 25th percentile | $39,940 | $19.20 |
| Median | $45,760 | $22.00 |
| 75th percentile | $48,180 | $23.17 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $58,120 | $27.94 |
| Average (mean) | $46,070 | $22.15 |
Half of switchboard operators, including answering service 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 | $3,813.33 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $1,906.67 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $1,760 |
| Weekly | $880 |
| Hourly | $22.00 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Buying a home? On a $45,760 salary, see how much house you can afford in Massachusetts at today's mortgage rates, or work out a payment with the mortgage calculator.
Switchboard Operators, Including Answering Service salary in other metro areas nearby
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| Barnstable Town, MA | $57,030 | 40 |
| Manchester-Nashua, NH | $44,210 | 40 |
| Worcester, MA | $44,050 | 70 |
| Providence-Warwick, RI-MA | $38,370 | 250 |
| Springfield, MA | $38,080 | 60 |
Highest-paying states for switchboard operators, including answering service
| State | Median salary |
|---|---|
| Hawaii | $59,860 |
| District of Columbia | $54,700 |
| California | $48,840 |
| Washington | $47,800 |
| Minnesota | $47,430 |
| New York | $45,330 |
| New Hampshire | $44,210 |
| Massachusetts | $43,790 |
| Colorado | $43,720 |
| Maine | $43,350 |
See Switchboard Operators, Including Answering Service pay in every state or the Massachusetts statewide figures.
Related jobs in Boston-Cambridge-Newton, MA-NH
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Telephone Operator | $47,940 | $23.05 |
| Customer Service Representative | $49,920 | $24.00 |
| Office Clerks, General | $50,710 | $24.38 |
| Secretaries and Administrative Assistants, Except Legal, Medical, and Executive | $59,330 | $28.53 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Office and Administrative Support Workers | $77,990 | $37.50 |
| Bookkeeping, Accounting, and Auditing Clerks | $60,960 | $29.31 |
| Medical Secretaries and Administrative Assistants | $51,600 | $24.81 |
| Receptionists and Information Clerks | $43,930 | $21.12 |
| Executive Secretaries and Executive Administrative Assistants | $85,260 | $40.99 |
| Shipping, Receiving, and Inventory Clerks | $49,980 | $24.03 |
| Billing and Posting Clerks | $58,100 | $27.93 |
| Postal Service Mail Carrier | $62,090 | $29.85 |
| Teller | $47,520 | $22.85 |
| Production, Planning, and Expediting Clerks | $61,490 | $29.56 |
More: Office and Administrative Support Occupations · all salaries in Boston-Cambridge-Newton, MA-NH
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025 estimates, occupation code 43-2011. 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 switchboard operators, including answering service make in Boston-Cambridge-Newton, MA-NH?
The median salary for switchboard operators, including answering service in the Boston-Cambridge-Newton, MA-NH metro area is $45,760 a year, or $22.00 an hour. Pay ranges from $37,750 for the lowest-paid 10% to $58,120 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid switchboard operators, including answering service make in Boston-Cambridge-Newton, MA-NH?
The top 10% of switchboard operators, including answering service in the Boston-Cambridge-Newton, MA-NH metro area earn at least $58,120 a year. The top 25% earn $48,180 or more.
What is the starting pay for switchboard operators, including answering service in Boston-Cambridge-Newton, MA-NH?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $37,750 a year, and a quarter of switchboard operators, including answering service earn $39,940 or less.
How many switchboard operators, including answering service work in Boston-Cambridge-Newton, MA-NH?
About 540 switchboard operators, including answering service are employed in the Boston-Cambridge-Newton, MA-NH metro area, not counting the self-employed.