How much does a telephone operator make?

In the United States, more experience, useful skills, or harder duties can help a telephone operator earn more. Pay can also differ by employer or industry and by location.

Provide information by accessing alphabetical, geographical, or other directories. Assist customers with special billing requests, such as charges to a third party and credits or refunds for incorrectly dialed numbers or bad connections. May handle emergency calls and assist children or people with physical disabilities to make telephone calls.

What's a typical day like?

At a switchboard, an operator listens to a request, looks up a name or number, and presses buttons to connect the call. They may also handle emergency calls or help someone who cannot dial the phone.

In the United States, a high school diploma or GED is the usual starting point. Then you can apply for an operator job and learn the phone systems on the job; training can take from a few days to a year.

High school plus some training (preparation level 2 of 5)

Good for people who like keeping things organized and helping and teaching.

Some U.S. telephone operators help children or people with physical disabilities place calls—and may handle emergency calls, too.