Telephone Operators

Median salary, education path, job outlook, and related careers — based on U.S. labor data.

What a Telephone Operators does

Telephone operators connect callers by operating telephone equipment and providing directory assistance and specialized services. This role has largely been automated but remains in some settings like operator-assisted calling.

Education & path

The typical entry point is a high school diploma. No degree required — short-term training or on-the-job learning.

Estimated cost of that path: No degree cost. Estimates only — actual cost varies widely by school and financial aid; payback assumes ~20% of income applied.

Related careers

• Customer Service Representatives — $44,770/yr
• Office Clerks, General — $45,010/yr
• Secretaries and Administrative Assistants, Except Legal, Medical, and Executive — $47,540/yr
• First-Line Supervisors of Office and Administrative Support Workers — $69,500/yr
• Bookkeeping, Accounting, and Auditing Clerks — $50,670/yr