SOC 43-2011 · Rockford, IL metro

Switchboard Operators, Including Answering Service Salary in Rockford, IL

The average salary for switchboard operators, including answering service in Rockford, Illinois is $40,290 a year ($19.37 an hour), according to BLS estimates for May 2025. The median is $39,660: half of the 40 people in this job in the Rockford, IL metro area earn more than that, half earn less. That average is 5% less than the U.S. average for this job ($42,300).

$40,290average per year

$19.37 / hourMedian $39,660Take-home ≈ $32,700

  • $37K10th
  • $37K25th
  • $40KMedian
  • $44K75th
  • $46K90th

median average · bar = middle 50% of workers · how to read it

40people in this job
-5%vs U.S. average
#2 of 5Illinois metros
92cost of living (U.S. = 100)
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Switchboard Operators, Including Answering Service pay range in Rockford

New workers and the lowest-paid 10% earn about $36,740 a year or less, while the top 10% make $45,920 or more. The middle half of switchboard operators, including answering service in Rockford earn between $37,180 and $43,900.

  • $37K10th
  • $37K25th
  • $40KMedian
  • $44K75th
  • $46K90th

median average · bar = middle 50% of workers · how to read it

Pay levelPer yearPer monthPer hour*
Average$40,290$3,358$19.37
Median$39,660$3,305$19.07
Entry level (25th percentile)$37,180$3,098$17.88
Experienced (75th percentile)$43,900$3,658$21.11

*Hourly figures assume 2,080 paid hours a year. Hourly to annual salary.

Switchboard Operators, Including Answering Service pay in Rockford vs. Illinois and the U.S.

Switchboard operators, including answering service in Rockford earn 7% less than the Illinois average ($43,410) and 5% less than the U.S. average ($42,300). At the median the gap is +3% against the U.S. median of $38,630.

AreaAverageMedian10th pct.90th pct.Jobs
Rockford$40,290$39,660$36,740$45,92040
Illinois$43,410$42,660$34,450$55,1801,240
United States$42,300$38,630$29,990$59,47034,280

State and U.S. rows: BLS statewide and national estimates, May 2025, which include rural areas.

Switchboard Operators, Including Answering Service salary after taxes in Rockford

On the average salary of $40,290, a single filer in Rockford takes home about $32,700 a year, or $2,725 a month and $1,258 every two weeks. Taxes take 19% of gross pay.

Single filer, standard deduction: federal income tax (2026 brackets), Social Security, Medicare and state income tax (2025 rules).

Illinois paycheck calculator: try your own salary

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Is Rockford a good place for switchboard operators, including answering service? Pay vs. cost of living

Prices in the Rockford area are 8% below the U.S. average (BEA price parity 92.2), so the average $40,290 buys what about $43,720 would buy in a typical U.S. metro. This job pays 0.8 times the median wage of all jobs in Rockford ($47,120). A typical home costs $221,368, or 5.5 years of this average salary before tax.

See what $40,290 is worth in another city

Switchboard Operators, Including Answering Service salary in other Illinois cities

Rockford ranks 2nd of 5 Illinois metro areas for this job; Chicago pays the most ($45,230).

All Switchboard Operators, Including Answering Service salaries in Illinois

Highest-paying cities for switchboard operators, including answering service

San Jose, CA pays this job the most of the metro areas we cover ($73,450).

Switchboard Operators, Including Answering Service salary by city

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Switchboard Operators, Including Answering Service salary in Rockford: questions

How much do switchboard operators, including answering service make an hour in Rockford?

$19.37 an hour on average, and $19.07 at the median (BLS, May 2025).

What is the entry-level switchboard operators, including answering service salary in Rockford?

The lowest-paid 10% earn about $36,740 a year and the 25th percentile is $37,180, a fair guide to starting pay.

What is the switchboard operators, including answering service take-home pay in Rockford?

About $32,700 a year ($2,725 a month) for a single filer on the average salary of $40,290.

Do switchboard operators, including answering service earn more in Rockford than elsewhere?

The average here is 5% less than the U.S. average for this job ($42,300).

Sources and how to read this page

  • Wages: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), May 2025 estimates for metropolitan areas. SOC code 43-2011; area Rockford, IL (40420). Relative standard error of the mean wage: 1.4%.
  • U.S. and statewide figures: BLS OEWS national and state estimates, May 2025, every employer including rural areas.
  • Cost of living: Bureau of Economic Analysis regional price parities (RPP), 2024; 100 = U.S. average.
  • Home value: Zillow Home Value Index. Typical-wage figure: OEWS all occupations, same metro.
  • Take-home pay: Single filer, standard deduction: federal income tax (2026 brackets), Social Security, Medicare and state income tax (2025 rules).
  • Job concentration: location quotient 1.26, this job is 1.3 times as concentrated as in the U.S. overall.

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