Switchboard Operators, Including Answering Service salary in Des Moines-West Des Moines, IA
Switchboard Operators, Including Answering Service in the Des Moines-West Des Moines, IA metro area earn a median of $41,100 a year ($19.76 an hour), based on BLS data for 30 workers.
Pay ranges from $37,840 for the lowest-paid 10% to $45,570 for the top 10%. That is 6% higher than the national median of $38,630. Pay here is 7% higher than the Iowa statewide median of $38,400. There are 0.09 switchboard operators, including answering service per 1,000 jobs here — the job is less common than nationally (location quotient 0.39). The average (mean) salary is $41,670, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for switchboard operators, including answering service in Des Moines-West Des Moines, IA
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $37,840 | $18.19 |
| 25th percentile | $39,330 | $18.91 |
| Median | $41,100 | $19.76 |
| 75th percentile | $45,570 | $21.91 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $45,570 | $21.91 |
| Average (mean) | $41,670 | $20.03 |
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 | $3,425 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $1,712.50 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $1,580.77 |
| Weekly | $790.38 |
| Hourly | $19.76 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Buying a home? On a $41,100 salary, see how much house you can afford in Iowa 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 |
|---|---|---|
| Omaha, NE-IA | $38,300 | 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 Iowa statewide figures.
Related jobs in Des Moines-West Des Moines, IA
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Customer Service Representative | $48,880 | $23.50 |
| Office Clerks, General | $46,540 | $22.38 |
| Bookkeeping, Accounting, and Auditing Clerks | $50,610 | $24.33 |
| Secretaries and Administrative Assistants, Except Legal, Medical, and Executive | $47,500 | $22.84 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Office and Administrative Support Workers | $71,690 | $34.47 |
| Medical Secretaries and Administrative Assistants | $42,160 | $20.27 |
| Executive Secretaries and Executive Administrative Assistants | $64,990 | $31.25 |
| Shipping, Receiving, and Inventory Clerks | $47,300 | $22.74 |
| Insurance Claims and Policy Processing Clerks | $46,770 | $22.48 |
| Office and Administrative Support Workers, All Other | $66,710 | $32.07 |
| Receptionists and Information Clerks | $37,910 | $18.23 |
| Teller | $45,450 | $21.85 |
| Billing and Posting Clerks | $47,990 | $23.07 |
| Postal Service Mail Sorters, Processors, and Processing Machine Operators | $60,530 | $29.10 |
More: Office and Administrative Support Occupations · all salaries in Des Moines-West Des Moines, IA
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 Des Moines-West Des Moines, IA?
The median salary for switchboard operators, including answering service in the Des Moines-West Des Moines, IA metro area is $41,100 a year, or $19.76 an hour. Pay ranges from $37,840 for the lowest-paid 10% to $45,570 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid switchboard operators, including answering service make in Des Moines-West Des Moines, IA?
The top 10% of switchboard operators, including answering service in the Des Moines-West Des Moines, IA metro area earn at least $45,570 a year. The top 25% earn $45,570 or more.
What is the starting pay for switchboard operators, including answering service in Des Moines-West Des Moines, IA?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $37,840 a year, and a quarter of switchboard operators, including answering service earn $39,330 or less.
How many switchboard operators, including answering service work in Des Moines-West Des Moines, IA?
About 30 switchboard operators, including answering service are employed in the Des Moines-West Des Moines, IA metro area, not counting the self-employed.