Switchboard Operators, Including Answering Service salary in Buffalo-Cheektowaga, NY
Switchboard Operators, Including Answering Service in the Buffalo-Cheektowaga, NY metro area earn a median of $41,330 a year ($19.87 an hour), based on BLS data for 170 workers.
Pay ranges from $37,280 for the lowest-paid 10% to $52,370 for the top 10%. That is 7% higher than the national median of $38,630. Pay here is 9% lower than the New York statewide median of $45,330. There are 0.31 switchboard operators, including answering service per 1,000 jobs here — the job is 1.4× more common than nationally. The average (mean) salary is $43,480, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for switchboard operators, including answering service in Buffalo-Cheektowaga, NY
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $37,280 | $17.92 |
| 25th percentile | $37,700 | $18.13 |
| Median | $41,330 | $19.87 |
| 75th percentile | $46,650 | $22.43 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $52,370 | $25.18 |
| Average (mean) | $43,480 | $20.91 |
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 | $3,444.17 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $1,722.08 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $1,589.62 |
| Weekly | $794.81 |
| Hourly | $19.87 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Buying a home? On a $41,330 salary, see how much house you can afford in New York 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 |
|---|---|---|
| New York-Newark-Jersey City, NY-NJ | $47,350 | 1,470 |
| Kiryas Joel-Poughkeepsie-Newburgh, NY | $44,550 | 70 |
| Syracuse, NY | $44,510 | 90 |
| Binghamton, NY | $41,420 | 40 |
| Albany-Schenectady-Troy, NY | $39,630 | 90 |
| Rochester, NY | $37,720 | 70 |
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 New York statewide figures.
Related jobs in Buffalo-Cheektowaga, NY
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Telephone Operator | $38,620 | $18.57 |
| Customer Service Representative | $45,520 | $21.88 |
| Secretaries and Administrative Assistants, Except Legal, Medical, and Executive | $46,780 | $22.49 |
| Office Clerks, General | $46,040 | $22.13 |
| Bookkeeping, Accounting, and Auditing Clerks | $51,610 | $24.81 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Office and Administrative Support Workers | $70,000 | $33.66 |
| Receptionists and Information Clerks | $38,960 | $18.73 |
| Medical Secretaries and Administrative Assistants | $45,960 | $22.10 |
| Executive Secretaries and Executive Administrative Assistants | $74,870 | $36.00 |
| Bill and Account Collectors | $40,260 | $19.36 |
| Shipping, Receiving, and Inventory Clerks | $45,210 | $21.74 |
| Production, Planning, and Expediting Clerks | $55,290 | $26.58 |
| Billing and Posting Clerks | $47,950 | $23.05 |
| Postal Service Mail Carrier | $63,380 | $30.47 |
More: Office and Administrative Support Occupations · all salaries in Buffalo-Cheektowaga, NY
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 Buffalo-Cheektowaga, NY?
The median salary for switchboard operators, including answering service in the Buffalo-Cheektowaga, NY metro area is $41,330 a year, or $19.87 an hour. Pay ranges from $37,280 for the lowest-paid 10% to $52,370 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid switchboard operators, including answering service make in Buffalo-Cheektowaga, NY?
The top 10% of switchboard operators, including answering service in the Buffalo-Cheektowaga, NY metro area earn at least $52,370 a year. The top 25% earn $46,650 or more.
What is the starting pay for switchboard operators, including answering service in Buffalo-Cheektowaga, NY?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $37,280 a year, and a quarter of switchboard operators, including answering service earn $37,700 or less.
How many switchboard operators, including answering service work in Buffalo-Cheektowaga, NY?
About 170 switchboard operators, including answering service are employed in the Buffalo-Cheektowaga, NY metro area, not counting the self-employed.