SOC 43-2011 · Charleston-North Charleston, SC metro

Switchboard Operators, Including Answering Service Salary in Charleston, SC

The average salary for switchboard operators, including answering service in Charleston, South Carolina is $38,260 a year ($18.39 an hour), according to BLS estimates for May 2025. The median is $36,890: half of the 100 people in this job in the Charleston-North Charleston, SC metro area earn more than that, half earn less. That average is 10% less than the U.S. average for this job ($42,300).

$38,260average per year

$18.39 / hourMedian $36,890Take-home ≈ $32,459

  • $34K10th
  • $34K25th
  • $37KMedian
  • $43K75th
  • $45K90th

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

100people in this job
-10%vs U.S. average
#1 of 4South Carolina metros
101cost of living (U.S. = 100)
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Switchboard Operators, Including Answering Service pay range in Charleston

New workers and the lowest-paid 10% earn about $34,010 a year or less, while the top 10% make $45,010 or more. The middle half of switchboard operators, including answering service in Charleston earn between $34,010 and $43,240.

  • $34K10th
  • $34K25th
  • $37KMedian
  • $43K75th
  • $45K90th

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

Pay levelPer yearPer monthPer hour*
Average$38,260$3,188$18.39
Median$36,890$3,074$17.74
Entry level (25th percentile)$34,010$2,834$16.35
Experienced (75th percentile)$43,240$3,603$20.79

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

Switchboard Operators, Including Answering Service pay in Charleston vs. South Carolina and the U.S.

Switchboard operators, including answering service in Charleston earn 8% more than the South Carolina average ($35,310) and 10% less than the U.S. average ($42,300). At the median the gap is -5% against the U.S. median of $38,630.

AreaAverageMedian10th pct.90th pct.Jobs
Charleston$38,260$36,890$34,010$45,010100
South Carolina$35,310$34,010$29,940$43,730480
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 Charleston

On the average salary of $38,260, a single filer in Charleston takes home about $32,459 a year, or $2,705 a month and $1,248 every two weeks. Taxes take 15% of gross pay.

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

South Carolina paycheck calculator: try your own salary

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

Prices in the Charleston area are in line with the U.S. average (BEA price parity 101.0), so the average $38,260 buys what about $37,895 would buy in a typical U.S. metro. This job pays 0.8 times the median wage of all jobs in Charleston ($49,150). A typical home costs $435,877, or 11.4 years of this average salary before tax.

See what $38,260 is worth in another city

Switchboard Operators, Including Answering Service salary in other South Carolina cities

Charleston ranks 1st of 4 South Carolina metro areas for this job, the best-paid in the state.

All Switchboard Operators, Including Answering Service salaries in South Carolina

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 Charleston, SC.

Switchboard Operators, Including Answering Service salary in Charleston: questions

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

$18.39 an hour on average, and $17.74 at the median (BLS, May 2025).

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

The lowest-paid 10% earn about $34,010 a year and the 25th percentile is $34,010, a fair guide to starting pay.

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

About $32,459 a year ($2,705 a month) for a single filer on the average salary of $38,260.

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

The average here is 10% 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 Charleston-North Charleston, SC (16700). Relative standard error of the mean wage: 4.0%.
  • 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 1.20, this job is about as common as in the U.S. overall.

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