Switchboard Operators, Including Answering Service salary in South Carolina
Switchboard Operators, Including Answering Service in South Carolina earn a median of $34,010 a year ($16.35 an hour), based on BLS data for 480 workers.
Pay ranges from $29,940 for the lowest-paid 10% to $43,730 for the top 10%. That is 12% lower than the national median of $38,630. South Carolina ranks 43rd of 46 states for switchboard operators, including answering service pay. There are 0.21 switchboard operators, including answering service per 1,000 jobs here — close to the national average. The average (mean) salary is $35,310, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for switchboard operators, including answering service in South Carolina
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $29,940 | $14.40 |
| 25th percentile | $30,780 | $14.80 |
| Median | $34,010 | $16.35 |
| 75th percentile | $37,500 | $18.03 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $43,730 | $21.02 |
| Average (mean) | $35,310 | $16.98 |
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 | $2,834.17 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $1,417.08 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $1,308.08 |
| Weekly | $654.04 |
| Hourly | $16.35 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Buying a home? On a $34,010 salary, see how much house you can afford in South Carolina at today's mortgage rates, or work out a payment with the mortgage calculator.
Switchboard Operators, Including Answering Service salary in cities in South Carolina
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| Charlotte-Concord-Gastonia, NC-SC | $42,320 | 160 |
| Charleston-North Charleston, SC | $36,890 | 100 |
| Greenville-Anderson-Greer, SC | $35,760 | 60 |
| Myrtle Beach-Conway-North Myrtle Beach, SC | $34,560 | 30 |
| Columbia, SC | $32,890 | 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.
Related jobs in South Carolina
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Customer Service Representative | $38,860 | $18.69 |
| Office Clerks, General | $36,840 | $17.71 |
| Secretaries and Administrative Assistants, Except Legal, Medical, and Executive | $44,880 | $21.58 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Office and Administrative Support Workers | $62,920 | $30.25 |
| Bookkeeping, Accounting, and Auditing Clerks | $47,940 | $23.05 |
| Medical Secretaries and Administrative Assistants | $40,170 | $19.31 |
| Shipping, Receiving, and Inventory Clerks | $43,430 | $20.88 |
| Receptionists and Information Clerks | $35,510 | $17.07 |
| Production, Planning, and Expediting Clerks | $57,640 | $27.71 |
| Hotel, Motel, and Resort Desk Clerks | $30,020 | $14.43 |
| Postal Service Mail Carrier | $57,700 | $27.74 |
| Billing and Posting Clerks | $45,250 | $21.75 |
| Bill and Account Collectors | $43,140 | $20.74 |
| Teller | $42,280 | $20.33 |
More: Office and Administrative Support Occupations · all salaries in South 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 South Carolina?
The median salary for switchboard operators, including answering service in South Carolina is $34,010 a year, or $16.35 an hour. Pay ranges from $29,940 for the lowest-paid 10% to $43,730 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid switchboard operators, including answering service make in South Carolina?
The top 10% of switchboard operators, including answering service in South Carolina earn at least $43,730 a year. The top 25% earn $37,500 or more.
What is the starting pay for switchboard operators, including answering service in South Carolina?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $29,940 a year, and a quarter of switchboard operators, including answering service earn $30,780 or less.
How many switchboard operators, including answering service work in South Carolina?
About 480 switchboard operators, including answering service are employed in South Carolina, not counting the self-employed.