Switchboard Operators, Including Answering Service salary in Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV
Switchboard Operators, Including Answering Service in the Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV metro area earn a median of $45,750 a year ($21.99 an hour), based on BLS data for 580 workers.
Pay ranges from $35,810 for the lowest-paid 10% to $61,580 for the top 10%. That is 18% higher than the national median of $38,630. Pay here is 16% lower than the District of Columbia statewide median of $54,700. There are 0.18 switchboard operators, including answering service per 1,000 jobs here — close to the national average. The average (mean) salary is $46,910, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for switchboard operators, including answering service in Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $35,810 | $17.22 |
| 25th percentile | $37,530 | $18.04 |
| Median | $45,750 | $21.99 |
| 75th percentile | $52,670 | $25.32 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $61,580 | $29.61 |
| Average (mean) | $46,910 | $22.55 |
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 | $3,812.50 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $1,906.25 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $1,759.62 |
| Weekly | $879.81 |
| Hourly | $21.99 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Buying a home? On a $45,750 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 other metro areas nearby
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| Philadelphia-Camden-Wilmington, PA-NJ-DE-MD | $38,410 | 590 |
| Huntington-Ashland, WV-KY-OH | $37,840 | 50 |
| Richmond, VA | $36,740 | 150 |
| Baltimore-Columbia-Towson, MD | $36,260 | 340 |
| 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 or the District of Columbia statewide figures.
Related jobs in Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Telephone Operator | $47,410 | $22.79 |
| Office Clerks, General | $51,880 | $24.94 |
| Secretaries and Administrative Assistants, Except Legal, Medical, and Executive | $53,660 | $25.80 |
| Customer Service Representative | $46,220 | $22.22 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Office and Administrative Support Workers | $76,400 | $36.73 |
| Medical Secretaries and Administrative Assistants | $48,280 | $23.21 |
| Bookkeeping, Accounting, and Auditing Clerks | $59,290 | $28.51 |
| Receptionists and Information Clerks | $41,240 | $19.83 |
| Executive Secretaries and Executive Administrative Assistants | $90,320 | $43.42 |
| Shipping, Receiving, and Inventory Clerks | $47,620 | $22.90 |
| Postal Service Mail Carrier | $64,250 | $30.89 |
| Office and Administrative Support Workers, All Other | $57,160 | $27.48 |
| Hotel, Motel, and Resort Desk Clerks | $37,690 | $18.12 |
| Billing and Posting Clerks | $55,920 | $26.89 |
More: Office and Administrative Support Occupations · all salaries in Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV
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 Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV?
The median salary for switchboard operators, including answering service in the Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV metro area is $45,750 a year, or $21.99 an hour. Pay ranges from $35,810 for the lowest-paid 10% to $61,580 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid switchboard operators, including answering service make in Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV?
The top 10% of switchboard operators, including answering service in the Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV metro area earn at least $61,580 a year. The top 25% earn $52,670 or more.
What is the starting pay for switchboard operators, including answering service in Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $35,810 a year, and a quarter of switchboard operators, including answering service earn $37,530 or less.
How many switchboard operators, including answering service work in Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV?
About 580 switchboard operators, including answering service are employed in the Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV metro area, not counting the self-employed.