Switchboard Operators, Including Answering Service salary in New Orleans-Metairie, LA
Switchboard Operators, Including Answering Service in the New Orleans-Metairie, LA metro area earn a median of $37,120 a year ($17.85 an hour), based on BLS data for 230 workers.
Pay ranges from $23,550 for the lowest-paid 10% to $46,040 for the top 10%. That is 4% lower than the national median of $38,630. Pay here is 3% higher than the Louisiana statewide median of $35,890. There are 0.52 switchboard operators, including answering service per 1,000 jobs here — the job is 2.4× more common than nationally. The average (mean) salary is $36,540, close to the median.
Pay range for switchboard operators, including answering service in New Orleans-Metairie, LA
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $23,550 | $11.32 |
| 25th percentile | $31,480 | $15.14 |
| Median | $37,120 | $17.85 |
| 75th percentile | $39,240 | $18.87 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $46,040 | $22.14 |
| Average (mean) | $36,540 | $17.57 |
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 | $3,093.33 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $1,546.67 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $1,427.69 |
| Weekly | $713.85 |
| Hourly | $17.85 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Buying a home? On a $37,120 salary, see how much house you can afford in Louisiana 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 |
|---|---|---|
| Baton Rouge, LA | $38,540 | 180 |
| Alexandria, LA | $37,990 | 50 |
| Hammond, LA | $37,480 | 40 |
| Slidell-Mandeville-Covington, LA | $37,110 | 80 |
| Shreveport-Bossier City, LA | $37,020 | 120 |
| Lafayette, LA | $35,890 | 130 |
| Monroe, LA | $35,070 | 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 Louisiana statewide figures.
Related jobs in New Orleans-Metairie, LA
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Office Clerks, General | $33,860 | $16.28 |
| Secretaries and Administrative Assistants, Except Legal, Medical, and Executive | $42,830 | $20.59 |
| Customer Service Representative | $39,300 | $18.90 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Office and Administrative Support Workers | $60,270 | $28.98 |
| Bookkeeping, Accounting, and Auditing Clerks | $46,980 | $22.59 |
| Receptionists and Information Clerks | $35,750 | $17.19 |
| Executive Secretaries and Executive Administrative Assistants | $60,370 | $29.02 |
| Shipping, Receiving, and Inventory Clerks | $40,430 | $19.44 |
| Hotel, Motel, and Resort Desk Clerks | $29,340 | $14.10 |
| Office and Administrative Support Workers, All Other | $47,300 | $22.74 |
| Billing and Posting Clerks | $46,830 | $22.52 |
| Interviewers, Except Eligibility and Loan | $38,280 | $18.41 |
| Postal Service Mail Carrier | $64,250 | $30.89 |
| Teller | $37,020 | $17.80 |
More: Office and Administrative Support Occupations · all salaries in New Orleans-Metairie, LA
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 New Orleans-Metairie, LA?
The median salary for switchboard operators, including answering service in the New Orleans-Metairie, LA metro area is $37,120 a year, or $17.85 an hour. Pay ranges from $23,550 for the lowest-paid 10% to $46,040 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid switchboard operators, including answering service make in New Orleans-Metairie, LA?
The top 10% of switchboard operators, including answering service in the New Orleans-Metairie, LA metro area earn at least $46,040 a year. The top 25% earn $39,240 or more.
What is the starting pay for switchboard operators, including answering service in New Orleans-Metairie, LA?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $23,550 a year, and a quarter of switchboard operators, including answering service earn $31,480 or less.
How many switchboard operators, including answering service work in New Orleans-Metairie, LA?
About 230 switchboard operators, including answering service are employed in the New Orleans-Metairie, LA metro area, not counting the self-employed.