Office & Administrative Support
Switchboard Operators, Including Answering Service
Also called: CBX Operator (Computerized Branch Exchange Operator), Central Communications Specialist, Communications Operator, Communications Specialist
US median pay
$38,630
per year, 2025
Job growth 2025–35
-26%
declining
Openings a year (US)
3,100
35,400 employed
Typical entry education
High school diploma or equivalent
Preparation 2/5 · Some preparation
What this job is
Operate telephone business systems equipment or switchboards to relay incoming, outgoing, and interoffice calls. May supply information to callers and record messages.
What they do day to day
- Operate communication systems, such as telephone, switchboard, intercom, two-way radio, or public address.
- Answer incoming calls, greeting callers, providing information, transferring calls or taking messages as necessary.
- Greet visitors, log them in and out of the facility, assign them security badges, and contact employee escorts.
- Monitor emergency and code alarms, make emergency announcements, or route emergency calls to the appropriate location.
- Record messages, suggesting rewording for clarity or conciseness.
- Page individuals to inform them of telephone calls, using paging or interoffice communication equipment.
- Relay or route written or verbal messages.
- Perform various cash handling tasks, such as collecting payments, making bank deposits, or managing petty cash.
- Place telephone calls or arrange conference calls as instructed.
- Process incoming or outgoing mail, packages, or deliveries.
Skills and knowledge that matter most
Skills
- Social Perceptiveness3.5/5
- Service Orientation3.1/5
- Coordination3.0/5
- Time Management2.8/5
- Judgment and Decision Making2.6/5
- Complex Problem Solving2.5/5
- Persuasion2.4/5
- Negotiation2.1/5
Knowledge
- Customer and Personal Service4.3/5
- English Language3.9/5
- Administrative3.7/5
- Computers and Electronics3.5/5
- Telecommunications3.3/5
- Administration and Management2.8/5
Importance rated by people working in the job (1 = not important, 5 = extremely important).
Education and preparation
Preparation level 2 of 5 — Some preparation. Usually a high school diploma; some previous work experience or training helps.
Typical entry education (BLS): High school diploma or equivalent.
Highest education of people in this job:
- High school diploma89%
Who this job suits
Mostly Conventional
Organising data, details and procedures
Realistic
Hands-on work with tools, machines, plants or animals
Enterprising
Leading, persuading and starting things
Based on the Holland (RIASEC) interest profile for this occupation.