Switchboard Operators, Including Answering Service salary in Virginia Beach-Chesapeake-Norfolk, VA-NC
Switchboard Operators, Including Answering Service in the Virginia Beach-Chesapeake-Norfolk, VA-NC metro area earn a median of $36,180 a year ($17.39 an hour), based on BLS data for 160 workers.
Pay ranges from $31,200 for the lowest-paid 10% to $43,360 for the top 10%. That is 6% lower than the national median of $38,630. Pay here is 1% lower than the Virginia statewide median of $36,730. There are 0.21 switchboard operators, including answering service per 1,000 jobs here — close to the national average. The average (mean) salary is $36,740, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for switchboard operators, including answering service in Virginia Beach-Chesapeake-Norfolk, VA-NC
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $31,200 | $15.00 |
| 25th percentile | $34,420 | $16.55 |
| Median | $36,180 | $17.39 |
| 75th percentile | $38,310 | $18.42 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $43,360 | $20.85 |
| Average (mean) | $36,740 | $17.67 |
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 | $3,015 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $1,507.50 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $1,391.54 |
| Weekly | $695.77 |
| Hourly | $17.39 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Buying a home? On a $36,180 salary, see how much house you can afford in Virginia 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 |
|---|---|---|
| Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV | $45,750 | 580 |
| 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 |
| Richmond, VA | $36,740 | 150 |
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 Virginia statewide figures.
Related jobs in Virginia Beach-Chesapeake-Norfolk, VA-NC
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Office Clerks, General | $44,630 | $21.46 |
| Customer Service Representative | $38,150 | $18.34 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Office and Administrative Support Workers | $63,970 | $30.75 |
| Bookkeeping, Accounting, and Auditing Clerks | $48,690 | $23.41 |
| Secretaries and Administrative Assistants, Except Legal, Medical, and Executive | $46,320 | $22.27 |
| Medical Secretaries and Administrative Assistants | $44,080 | $21.19 |
| Receptionists and Information Clerks | $35,470 | $17.05 |
| Shipping, Receiving, and Inventory Clerks | $43,630 | $20.98 |
| Production, Planning, and Expediting Clerks | $63,240 | $30.41 |
| Hotel, Motel, and Resort Desk Clerks | $30,980 | $14.89 |
| Billing and Posting Clerks | $45,740 | $21.99 |
| Postal Service Mail Carrier | $60,550 | $29.11 |
| Teller | $42,630 | $20.50 |
| Bill and Account Collectors | $36,300 | $17.45 |
More: Office and Administrative Support Occupations · all salaries in Virginia Beach-Chesapeake-Norfolk, VA-NC
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 Virginia Beach-Chesapeake-Norfolk, VA-NC?
The median salary for switchboard operators, including answering service in the Virginia Beach-Chesapeake-Norfolk, VA-NC metro area is $36,180 a year, or $17.39 an hour. Pay ranges from $31,200 for the lowest-paid 10% to $43,360 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid switchboard operators, including answering service make in Virginia Beach-Chesapeake-Norfolk, VA-NC?
The top 10% of switchboard operators, including answering service in the Virginia Beach-Chesapeake-Norfolk, VA-NC metro area earn at least $43,360 a year. The top 25% earn $38,310 or more.
What is the starting pay for switchboard operators, including answering service in Virginia Beach-Chesapeake-Norfolk, VA-NC?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $31,200 a year, and a quarter of switchboard operators, including answering service earn $34,420 or less.
How many switchboard operators, including answering service work in Virginia Beach-Chesapeake-Norfolk, VA-NC?
About 160 switchboard operators, including answering service are employed in the Virginia Beach-Chesapeake-Norfolk, VA-NC metro area, not counting the self-employed.