Switchboard Operators, Including Answering Service salary in North Carolina
Switchboard Operators, Including Answering Service in North Carolina earn a median of $38,520 a year ($18.52 an hour), based on BLS data for 690 workers.
Pay ranges from $30,510 for the lowest-paid 10% to $46,340 for the top 10%. That is about the same as the national median of $38,630. North Carolina ranks 19th of 46 states for switchboard operators, including answering service pay. There are 0.14 switchboard operators, including answering service per 1,000 jobs here — the job is less common than nationally (location quotient 0.63). The average (mean) salary is $38,580, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for switchboard operators, including answering service in North Carolina
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $30,510 | $14.67 |
| 25th percentile | $34,180 | $16.44 |
| Median | $38,520 | $18.52 |
| 75th percentile | $43,420 | $20.88 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $46,340 | $22.28 |
| Average (mean) | $38,580 | $18.55 |
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 | $3,210 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $1,605 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $1,481.54 |
| Weekly | $740.77 |
| Hourly | $18.52 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Buying a home? On a $38,520 salary, see how much house you can afford in North Carolina at today's mortgage rates, or work out a payment with the mortgage calculator.
Switchboard Operators, Including Answering Service salary in cities in North Carolina
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| Charlotte-Concord-Gastonia, NC-SC | $42,320 | 160 |
| Greensboro-High Point, NC | $41,130 | 90 |
| Asheville, NC | $40,590 | 50 |
| Winston-Salem, NC | $39,490 | 60 |
| Greenville, NC | $37,990 | 40 |
| Virginia Beach-Chesapeake-Norfolk, VA-NC | $36,180 | 160 |
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 North Carolina
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Telephone Operator | $40,360 | $19.40 |
| Communications Equipment Operators, All Other | $46,430 | $22.32 |
| Customer Service Representative | $40,240 | $19.35 |
| Office Clerks, General | $41,770 | $20.08 |
| Medical Secretaries and Administrative Assistants | $44,190 | $21.24 |
| Bookkeeping, Accounting, and Auditing Clerks | $47,930 | $23.04 |
| Secretaries and Administrative Assistants, Except Legal, Medical, and Executive | $45,790 | $22.01 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Office and Administrative Support Workers | $62,340 | $29.97 |
| Shipping, Receiving, and Inventory Clerks | $43,040 | $20.69 |
| Receptionists and Information Clerks | $35,440 | $17.04 |
| Production, Planning, and Expediting Clerks | $52,640 | $25.31 |
| Postal Service Mail Carrier | $59,990 | $28.84 |
| Executive Secretaries and Executive Administrative Assistants | $70,140 | $33.72 |
| Eligibility Interviewers, Government Programs | $47,350 | $22.76 |
More: Office and Administrative Support Occupations · all salaries in North Carolina
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 North Carolina?
The median salary for switchboard operators, including answering service in North Carolina is $38,520 a year, or $18.52 an hour. Pay ranges from $30,510 for the lowest-paid 10% to $46,340 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid switchboard operators, including answering service make in North Carolina?
The top 10% of switchboard operators, including answering service in North Carolina earn at least $46,340 a year. The top 25% earn $43,420 or more.
What is the starting pay for switchboard operators, including answering service in North Carolina?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $30,510 a year, and a quarter of switchboard operators, including answering service earn $34,180 or less.
How many switchboard operators, including answering service work in North Carolina?
About 690 switchboard operators, including answering service are employed in North Carolina, not counting the self-employed.