SOC 43-2011 · New Orleans-Metairie, LA metro

Switchboard Operators, Including Answering Service Salary in New Orleans, LA

The average salary for switchboard operators, including answering service in New Orleans, Louisiana is $36,540 a year ($17.57 an hour), according to BLS estimates for May 2025. The median is $37,120: half of the 230 people in this job in the New Orleans-Metairie, LA metro area earn more than that, half earn less. That average is 14% less than the U.S. average for this job ($42,300).

$36,540average per year

$17.57 / hourMedian $37,120Take-home ≈ $30,830

  • $24K10th
  • $31K25th
  • $37KMedian
  • $39K75th
  • $46K90th

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

230people in this job
-14%vs U.S. average
#5 of 8Louisiana metros
93cost of living (U.S. = 100)
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Switchboard Operators, Including Answering Service pay range in New Orleans

New workers and the lowest-paid 10% earn about $23,550 a year or less, while the top 10% make $46,040 or more. The middle half of switchboard operators, including answering service in New Orleans earn between $31,480 and $39,240.

  • $24K10th
  • $31K25th
  • $37KMedian
  • $39K75th
  • $46K90th

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

Pay levelPer yearPer monthPer hour*
Average$36,540$3,045$17.57
Median$37,120$3,093$17.85
Entry level (25th percentile)$31,480$2,623$15.13
Experienced (75th percentile)$39,240$3,270$18.87

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

Switchboard Operators, Including Answering Service pay in New Orleans vs. Louisiana and the U.S.

Switchboard operators, including answering service in New Orleans earn 3% more than the Louisiana average ($35,390) and 14% less than the U.S. average ($42,300). At the median the gap is -4% against the U.S. median of $38,630.

AreaAverageMedian10th pct.90th pct.Jobs
New Orleans$36,540$37,120$23,550$46,040230
Louisiana$35,390$35,890$21,240$50,060n/a
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 New Orleans

On the average salary of $36,540, a single filer in New Orleans takes home about $30,830 a year, or $2,569 a month and $1,186 every two weeks. Taxes take 16% of gross pay.

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

Louisiana paycheck calculator: try your own salary

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

Prices in the New Orleans area are 7% below the U.S. average (BEA price parity 92.6), so the average $36,540 buys what about $39,461 would buy in a typical U.S. metro. This job pays 0.8 times the median wage of all jobs in New Orleans ($47,290). A typical home costs $261,414, or 7.2 years of this average salary before tax.

See what $36,540 is worth in another city

Switchboard Operators, Including Answering Service salary in other Louisiana cities

New Orleans ranks 5th of 8 Louisiana metro areas for this job; Hammond pays the most ($39,760).

All Switchboard Operators, Including Answering Service salaries in Louisiana

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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Reviewed before it counts. Switchboard Operators, Including Answering Service in New Orleans, LA.

Switchboard Operators, Including Answering Service salary in New Orleans: questions

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

$17.57 an hour on average, and $17.85 at the median (BLS, May 2025).

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

The lowest-paid 10% earn about $23,550 a year and the 25th percentile is $31,480, a fair guide to starting pay.

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

About $30,830 a year ($2,569 a month) for a single filer on the average salary of $36,540.

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

The average here is 14% 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 New Orleans-Metairie, LA (35380). Relative standard error of the mean wage: 5.3%.
  • 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 (2026 rules).
  • Job concentration: location quotient 2.37, this job is 2.4 times as concentrated as in the U.S. overall.

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