Switchboard Operators, Including Answering Service salary in Charleston-North Charleston, SC
Switchboard Operators, Including Answering Service in the Charleston-North Charleston, SC metro area earn a median of $36,890 a year ($17.74 an hour), based on BLS data for 100 workers.
Pay ranges from $34,010 for the lowest-paid 10% to $45,010 for the top 10%. That is 5% lower than the national median of $38,630. Pay here is 8% higher than the South Carolina statewide median of $34,010. There are 0.26 switchboard operators, including answering service per 1,000 jobs here — the job is 1.2× more common than nationally. The average (mean) salary is $38,260, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for switchboard operators, including answering service in Charleston-North Charleston, SC
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $34,010 | $16.35 |
| 25th percentile | $34,010 | $16.35 |
| Median | $36,890 | $17.74 |
| 75th percentile | $43,240 | $20.79 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $45,010 | $21.64 |
| Average (mean) | $38,260 | $18.39 |
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 | $3,074.17 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $1,537.08 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $1,418.85 |
| Weekly | $709.42 |
| Hourly | $17.74 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Buying a home? On a $36,890 salary, see how much house you can afford in South Carolina 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 |
|---|---|---|
| Charlotte-Concord-Gastonia, NC-SC | $42,320 | 160 |
| Greenville-Anderson-Greer, SC | $35,760 | 60 |
| Myrtle Beach-Conway-North Myrtle Beach, SC | $34,560 | 30 |
| Columbia, SC | $32,890 | 40 |
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 South Carolina statewide figures.
Related jobs in Charleston-North Charleston, SC
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Customer Service Representative | $44,000 | $21.15 |
| Office Clerks, General | $39,250 | $18.87 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Office and Administrative Support Workers | $65,910 | $31.69 |
| Secretaries and Administrative Assistants, Except Legal, Medical, and Executive | $47,750 | $22.96 |
| Bookkeeping, Accounting, and Auditing Clerks | $50,400 | $24.23 |
| Medical Secretaries and Administrative Assistants | $44,640 | $21.46 |
| Shipping, Receiving, and Inventory Clerks | $45,290 | $21.77 |
| Receptionists and Information Clerks | $37,220 | $17.89 |
| Hotel, Motel, and Resort Desk Clerks | $33,860 | $16.28 |
| Production, Planning, and Expediting Clerks | $58,690 | $28.22 |
| Cargo and Freight Agents | $57,560 | $27.68 |
| Postal Service Mail Carrier | $59,880 | $28.79 |
| Teller | $45,430 | $21.84 |
| Billing and Posting Clerks | $46,460 | $22.34 |
More: Office and Administrative Support Occupations · all salaries in Charleston-North Charleston, SC
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 Charleston-North Charleston, SC?
The median salary for switchboard operators, including answering service in the Charleston-North Charleston, SC metro area is $36,890 a year, or $17.74 an hour. Pay ranges from $34,010 for the lowest-paid 10% to $45,010 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid switchboard operators, including answering service make in Charleston-North Charleston, SC?
The top 10% of switchboard operators, including answering service in the Charleston-North Charleston, SC metro area earn at least $45,010 a year. The top 25% earn $43,240 or more.
What is the starting pay for switchboard operators, including answering service in Charleston-North Charleston, SC?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $34,010 a year, and a quarter of switchboard operators, including answering service earn $34,010 or less.
How many switchboard operators, including answering service work in Charleston-North Charleston, SC?
About 100 switchboard operators, including answering service are employed in the Charleston-North Charleston, SC metro area, not counting the self-employed.