Top 14 cities for telephone operators by average salary
| Los Angeles, CA | $55,510 |
|---|---|
| Boston, MA | $52,680 |
| New York, NY | $52,200 |
| Washington, DC | $50,210 |
| Philadelphia, PA | $49,150 |
| Baltimore, MD | $44,500 |
| Atlanta, GA | $44,500 |
| Austin, TX | $44,020 |
| Buffalo, NY | $43,750 |
| Cleveland, OH | $42,730 |
| Detroit, MI | $39,770 |
| Columbus, OH | $38,930 |
| Cincinnati, OH | $38,830 |
| Beaumont, TX | $36,370 |
Map: Telephone Operators salary by metro area
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Map data © OpenStreetMap contributors.
Telephone Operators salary by state
California pays telephone operators the most statewide, $55,910 a year on average. Statewide columns cover every employer in the state; city columns cover the metro areas we publish.
| State | Statewide average | Statewide median | Jobs | Metros | Highest city average | Lowest city average |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| California | $55,910 | $57,170 | 230 | 1 | $55,510 | $55,510 |
| New York | $52,290 | $50,220 | n/a | 2 | $52,200 | $43,750 |
| Washington, D.C. | $50,960 | $49,330 | 50 | 1 | $50,210 | $50,210 |
| Massachusetts | $50,890 | $47,940 | n/a | 1 | $52,680 | $52,680 |
| Pennsylvania | n/a | n/a | n/a | 1 | $49,150 | $49,150 |
| Wisconsin | $45,260 | $46,590 | 60 | 0 | n/a | n/a |
| Maryland | $44,290 | $42,460 | 110 | 1 | $44,500 | $44,500 |
| New Jersey | $44,130 | $41,960 | 190 | 0 | n/a | n/a |
| Virginia | $43,100 | $42,350 | n/a | 0 | n/a | n/a |
| Texas | $43,060 | $41,250 | 280 | 2 | $44,020 | $36,370 |
| Florida | $40,730 | $37,180 | 70 | 0 | n/a | n/a |
| Michigan | $40,590 | $37,550 | 80 | 1 | $39,770 | $39,770 |
| North Carolina | $39,850 | $40,360 | 40 | 0 | n/a | n/a |
| Georgia | $39,210 | $36,920 | 160 | 1 | $44,500 | $44,500 |
| Ohio | $38,730 | $36,970 | 220 | 3 | $42,730 | $38,830 |
| Oklahoma | $37,570 | $37,320 | 40 | 0 | n/a | n/a |
| Louisiana | $32,390 | $31,400 | 50 | 0 | n/a | n/a |
Telephone Operators salary in every city we cover
Sort by any column. Each city links to its pay range, take-home pay and cost of living.
| Metro area | Average | Median | Hourly | Jobs |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Los Angeles, CA | $55,510 | $58,900 | $26.69 | 110 |
| Boston, MA | $52,680 | $47,940 | $25.33 | n/a |
| New York, NY | $52,200 | $51,410 | $25.09 | n/a |
| Washington, DC | $50,210 | $47,410 | $24.14 | 60 |
| Philadelphia, PA | $49,150 | $45,000 | $23.63 | 140 |
| Baltimore, MD | $44,500 | $42,460 | $21.40 | 80 |
| Atlanta, GA | $44,500 | $40,400 | $21.40 | 40 |
| Austin, TX | $44,020 | $44,980 | $21.16 | 100 |
| Buffalo, NY | $43,750 | $38,620 | $21.03 | 30 |
| Cleveland, OH | $42,730 | $39,570 | $20.55 | 70 |
| Detroit, MI | $39,770 | $37,550 | $19.12 | 50 |
| Columbus, OH | $38,930 | $37,890 | $18.71 | 30 |
| Cincinnati, OH | $38,830 | $37,600 | $18.67 | 50 |
| Beaumont, TX | $36,370 | $37,150 | $17.48 | n/a |
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Telephone Operators salary: questions
Where do telephone operators make the most money?
In Los Angeles, CA, with an average of $55,510 a year, among the 14 metro areas we cover.
What is the average telephone operators salary in the U.S.?
$44,970 a year nationwide (BLS OEWS national estimates, May 2025); the median is $41,740, so half of telephone operators earn more than that and half less.
What salary should telephone operators ask for?
Start from the figures for your city: the middle half of telephone operators nationwide earn between $36,920 (25th percentile) and $51,510 (75th percentile). Newer workers usually start near the 25th percentile and experienced ones can ask for the 75th; each city page shows the local range. See how to read salary percentiles.
Which state pays telephone operators the most?
California, with a statewide average of $55,910 a year (BLS state estimates, May 2025).
Where is telephone operators pay the lowest?
Beaumont, TX, at $36,370 a year on average. Lower pay often comes with lower prices: check the cost of living on each city page.
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 43-2021.
- 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.
Read the full methodology. Spotted an error? Tell us.