Switchboard Operators, Including Answering Service salary in Detroit-Warren-Dearborn, MI
Switchboard Operators, Including Answering Service in the Detroit-Warren-Dearborn, MI metro area earn a median of $37,470 a year ($18.02 an hour), based on BLS data for 110 workers.
Pay ranges from $29,420 for the lowest-paid 10% to $47,720 for the top 10%. That is 3% lower than the national median of $38,630. Pay here is about the same as the Michigan statewide median of $37,390. There are 0.06 switchboard operators, including answering service per 1,000 jobs here — the job is less common than nationally (location quotient 0.26). The average (mean) salary is $39,820, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for switchboard operators, including answering service in Detroit-Warren-Dearborn, MI
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $29,420 | $14.15 |
| 25th percentile | $35,200 | $16.92 |
| Median | $37,470 | $18.02 |
| 75th percentile | $40,570 | $19.51 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $47,720 | $22.94 |
| Average (mean) | $39,820 | $19.14 |
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 | $3,122.50 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $1,561.25 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $1,441.15 |
| Weekly | $720.58 |
| Hourly | $18.02 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Buying a home? On a $37,470 salary, see how much house you can afford in Michigan 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 |
|---|---|---|
| Kalamazoo-Portage, MI | $37,040 | 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 Michigan statewide figures.
Related jobs in Detroit-Warren-Dearborn, MI
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Telephone Operator | $37,550 | $18.05 |
| Office Clerks, General | $45,810 | $22.02 |
| Customer Service Representative | $44,730 | $21.51 |
| Secretaries and Administrative Assistants, Except Legal, Medical, and Executive | $47,330 | $22.75 |
| Bookkeeping, Accounting, and Auditing Clerks | $51,480 | $24.75 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Office and Administrative Support Workers | $67,060 | $32.24 |
| Medical Secretaries and Administrative Assistants | $42,320 | $20.35 |
| Receptionists and Information Clerks | $38,220 | $18.37 |
| Shipping, Receiving, and Inventory Clerks | $46,310 | $22.26 |
| Billing and Posting Clerks | $47,840 | $23.00 |
| Postal Service Mail Carrier | $62,070 | $29.84 |
| Teller | $45,110 | $21.69 |
| Loan Interviewers and Clerks | $51,500 | $24.76 |
| Executive Secretaries and Executive Administrative Assistants | $74,950 | $36.04 |
More: Office and Administrative Support Occupations · all salaries in Detroit-Warren-Dearborn, MI
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 Detroit-Warren-Dearborn, MI?
The median salary for switchboard operators, including answering service in the Detroit-Warren-Dearborn, MI metro area is $37,470 a year, or $18.02 an hour. Pay ranges from $29,420 for the lowest-paid 10% to $47,720 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid switchboard operators, including answering service make in Detroit-Warren-Dearborn, MI?
The top 10% of switchboard operators, including answering service in the Detroit-Warren-Dearborn, MI metro area earn at least $47,720 a year. The top 25% earn $40,570 or more.
What is the starting pay for switchboard operators, including answering service in Detroit-Warren-Dearborn, MI?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $29,420 a year, and a quarter of switchboard operators, including answering service earn $35,200 or less.
How many switchboard operators, including answering service work in Detroit-Warren-Dearborn, MI?
About 110 switchboard operators, including answering service are employed in the Detroit-Warren-Dearborn, MI metro area, not counting the self-employed.