Switchboard Operators, Including Answering Service salary in District of Columbia
Switchboard Operators, Including Answering Service in District of Columbia earn a median of $54,700 a year ($26.30 an hour), based on BLS data for 230 workers.
Pay ranges from $47,140 for the lowest-paid 10% to $63,420 for the top 10%. That is 42% higher than the national median of $38,630. District of Columbia ranks 2nd of 46 states for switchboard operators, including answering service pay, one of the best-paying states for this job. There are 0.32 switchboard operators, including answering service per 1,000 jobs here — the job is 1.5× more common than nationally. The average (mean) salary is $56,040, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for switchboard operators, including answering service in District of Columbia
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $47,140 | $22.66 |
| 25th percentile | $47,510 | $22.84 |
| Median | $54,700 | $26.30 |
| 75th percentile | $61,580 | $29.61 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $63,420 | $30.49 |
| Average (mean) | $56,040 | $26.94 |
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 | $4,558.33 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $2,279.17 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $2,103.85 |
| Weekly | $1,051.92 |
| Hourly | $26.30 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Buying a home? On a $54,700 salary, see how much house you can afford in District of Columbia at today's mortgage rates, or work out a payment with the mortgage calculator.
Switchboard Operators, Including Answering Service salary in cities in District of Columbia
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV | $45,750 | 580 |
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.
Related jobs in District of Columbia
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Telephone Operator | $49,330 | $23.71 |
| Secretaries and Administrative Assistants, Except Legal, Medical, and Executive | $59,910 | $28.80 |
| Customer Service Representative | $48,250 | $23.20 |
| Office Clerks, General | $55,040 | $26.46 |
| Executive Secretaries and Executive Administrative Assistants | $90,850 | $43.68 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Office and Administrative Support Workers | $79,200 | $38.08 |
| Receptionists and Information Clerks | $49,060 | $23.59 |
| Legal Secretaries and Administrative Assistants | $99,280 | $47.73 |
| Medical Secretaries and Administrative Assistants | $49,180 | $23.64 |
| Bookkeeping, Accounting, and Auditing Clerks | $65,180 | $31.34 |
| Hotel, Motel, and Resort Desk Clerks | $47,060 | $22.62 |
| Information and Record Clerks, All Other | $70,490 | $33.89 |
| Office and Administrative Support Workers, All Other | $68,600 | $32.98 |
| Postal Service Mail Carrier | $64,250 | $30.89 |
More: Office and Administrative Support Occupations · all salaries in District of Columbia
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 District of Columbia?
The median salary for switchboard operators, including answering service in District of Columbia is $54,700 a year, or $26.30 an hour. Pay ranges from $47,140 for the lowest-paid 10% to $63,420 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid switchboard operators, including answering service make in District of Columbia?
The top 10% of switchboard operators, including answering service in District of Columbia earn at least $63,420 a year. The top 25% earn $61,580 or more.
What is the starting pay for switchboard operators, including answering service in District of Columbia?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $47,140 a year, and a quarter of switchboard operators, including answering service earn $47,510 or less.
How many switchboard operators, including answering service work in District of Columbia?
About 230 switchboard operators, including answering service are employed in District of Columbia, not counting the self-employed.