Switchboard Operators, Including Answering Service
Tasks Include:
- Operate communication systems, such as telephone, switchboard, intercom, two-way radio, or public address.
- Answer incoming calls, greeting callers, providing information, transferring calls or taking messages as necessary.
- Page individuals to inform them of telephone calls, using paging or interoffice communication equipment.
- Relay or route written or verbal messages.
- Place telephone calls or arrange conference calls as instructed.
- Record messages, suggesting rewording for clarity or conciseness.
- Perform various data entry or word processing tasks, such as updating phone directories, typing or proofreading documents, or creating schedules.
- Process incoming or outgoing mail, packages, or deliveries.
- Perform administrative tasks, such as accepting orders, scheduling appointments or meeting rooms, or sending and receiving faxes.
- Monitor emergency and code alarms, make emergency announcements, or route emergency calls to the appropriate location.
more »
The data sources for the information displayed here include: O*NET™; US Department of Labor (BLS); Virginia Workforce Connection. (Using onet28)
Projections Quick View:
Virginia: -19.8%
National: -24.1%
Education
High School Diploma
Job Zone:
Two: Some Preparation Needed
Income Range:
Moderately High ($36,000 - $49,999)
Median Earnings:
National
$34,670.00
State
$30,130.00
Regional
Switchboard Operators, Including Answering Service
Description
Career Cluster: | Business, Management & Administration |
Operate telephone business systems equipment or switchboards to relay incoming, outgoing, and interoffice calls. May supply information to callers and record messages.
The data sources for the information displayed here include: O*NET™. (Using onet28)
Switchboard Operators, Including Answering Service
Education
Required Level of Education
- High School Diploma - or the equivalent (for example, GED) = 88.55%
- Post-Secondary Certificate - awarded for training completed after high school (for example, in agriculture or natural resources, computer services, personal or culinary services, engineering technologies, healthcare, construction trades, mechanic and repair technologies, or precision production) = 5.14%
- Post-Baccalaureate Certificate - awarded for completion of an organized program of study; designed for people who have completed a Baccalaureate degree but do not meet the requirements of academic degrees carrying the title of Master. = 3.04%
- Some College Courses = 2.05%
- Less than a High School Diploma = 0.64%
- Associate's Degree (or other 2-year degree) = 0.58%
Related Work Experience
- Over 1 year, up to and including 2 years = 38.93%
- Up to and including 1 month = 29.62%
- None = 17.91%
- Over 3 months, up to and including 6 months = 12.27%
- Over 1 month, up to and including 3 months = 0.58%
- Over 6 months, up to and including 1 year = 0.57%
- Over 2 years, up to and including 4 years = 0.12%
On-Site or In-Plant Training
- Up to and including 1 month = 57.40%
- Over 1 year, up to and including 2 years = 17.38%
- Over 3 months, up to and including 6 months = 15.28%
- None = 6.91%
- Over 1 month, up to and including 3 months = 3.03%
On-the-Job Training
- Anything beyond short demonstration, up to and including 1 month = 33.80%
- Over 3 months, up to and including 6 months = 29.57%
- Over 1 month, up to and including 3 months = 27.36%
- Over 1 year, up to and including 2 years = 5.14%
- None or short demonstration = 4.13%
The data sources for the information displayed here include: O*NET™. (Using onet28)
Switchboard Operators, Including Answering Service
Tasks
Core Tasks Include:
- Operate communication systems, such as telephone, switchboard, intercom, two-way radio, or public address.
- Answer incoming calls, greeting callers, providing information, transferring calls or taking messages as necessary.
- Page individuals to inform them of telephone calls, using paging or interoffice communication equipment.
- Relay or route written or verbal messages.
- Place telephone calls or arrange conference calls as instructed.
- Record messages, suggesting rewording for clarity or conciseness.
- Perform various data entry or word processing tasks, such as updating phone directories, typing or proofreading documents, or creating schedules.
- Process incoming or outgoing mail, packages, or deliveries.
- Perform administrative tasks, such as accepting orders, scheduling appointments or meeting rooms, or sending and receiving faxes.
- Monitor emergency and code alarms, make emergency announcements, or route emergency calls to the appropriate location.
- Greet visitors, log them in and out of the facility, assign them security badges, and contact employee escorts.
- Perform various cash handling tasks, such as collecting payments, making bank deposits, or managing petty cash.
Supplemental Tasks Include:
- Monitor alarm systems to ensure that secure conditions are maintained.
- Contact security staff members when necessary, using radio-telephones.
- Keep records of calls placed and charges incurred.
- Stamp messages with time and date and file them appropriately.
- Answer simple questions about clients' businesses, using reference files.
- Complete forms for sales orders.
- Place orders, such as for equipment, supplies, or catering for meetings.
The data sources for the information displayed here include: O*NET™. (Using onet28)
Switchboard Operators, Including Answering Service
Knowledge
% | Subject | Description |
---|---|---|
83.50 | Customer and Personal Service | Knowledge of principles and processes for providing customer and personal services. This includes customer needs assessment, meeting quality standards for services, and evaluation of customer satisfaction. |
71.25 | English Language | Knowledge of the structure and content of the English language including the meaning and spelling of words, rules of composition, and grammar. |
67.00 | Administrative | Knowledge of administrative and office procedures and systems such as word processing, managing files and records, stenography and transcription, designing forms, and workplace terminology. |
62.25 | Computers and Electronics | Knowledge of circuit boards, processors, chips, electronic equipment, and computer hardware and software, including applications and programming. |
58.50 | Telecommunications | Knowledge of transmission, broadcasting, switching, control, and operation of telecommunications systems. |
The data sources for the information displayed here include: O*NET™. (Using onet28)
Switchboard Operators, Including Answering Service
Skills
% | Subject | Description |
---|---|---|
75.00 | Active Listening | Giving full attention to what other people are saying, taking time to understand the points being made, asking questions as appropriate, and not interrupting at inappropriate times. |
72.00 | Speaking | Talking to others to convey information effectively. |
62.50 | Social Perceptiveness | Being aware of others' reactions and understanding why they react as they do. |
53.00 | Service Orientation | Actively looking for ways to help people. |
50.00 | Reading Comprehension | Understanding written sentences and paragraphs in work-related documents. |
50.00 | Coordination | Adjusting actions in relation to others' actions. |
The data sources for the information displayed here include: O*NET™. (Using onet28)
Switchboard Operators, Including Answering Service
Abilities
% | Subject | Description |
---|---|---|
78.00 | Oral Comprehension | The ability to listen to and understand information and ideas presented through spoken words and sentences. |
78.00 | Oral Expression | The ability to communicate information and ideas in speaking so others will understand. |
75.00 | Speech Recognition | The ability to identify and understand the speech of another person. |
75.00 | Speech Clarity | The ability to speak clearly so others can understand you. |
59.50 | Near Vision | The ability to see details at close range (within a few feet of the observer). |
53.00 | Selective Attention | The ability to concentrate on a task over a period of time without being distracted. |
50.00 | Written Comprehension | The ability to read and understand information and ideas presented in writing. |
50.00 | Written Expression | The ability to communicate information and ideas in writing so others will understand. |
50.00 | Deductive Reasoning | The ability to apply general rules to specific problems to produce answers that make sense. |
50.00 | Inductive Reasoning | The ability to combine pieces of information to form general rules or conclusions (includes finding a relationship among seemingly unrelated events). |
50.00 | Information Ordering | The ability to arrange things or actions in a certain order or pattern according to a specific rule or set of rules (e.g., patterns of numbers, letters, words, pictures, mathematical operations). |
The data sources for the information displayed here include: O*NET™. (Using onet28)
Switchboard Operators, Including Answering Service
Work Activities
% | Subject | Description |
---|---|---|
87.00 | Getting Information | Observing, receiving, and otherwise obtaining information from all relevant sources. |
79.25 | Identifying Objects, Actions, and Events | Identifying information by categorizing, estimating, recognizing differences or similarities, and detecting changes in circumstances or events. |
76.00 | Communicating with Supervisors, Peers, or Subordinates | Providing information to supervisors, co-workers, and subordinates by telephone, in written form, e-mail, or in person. |
74.00 | Performing for or Working Directly with the Public | Performing for people or dealing directly with the public. This includes serving customers in restaurants and stores, and receiving clients or guests. |
69.75 | Working with Computers | Using computers and computer systems (including hardware and software) to program, write software, set up functions, enter data, or process information. |
67.50 | Performing Administrative Activities | Performing day-to-day administrative tasks such as maintaining information files and processing paperwork. |
61.00 | Evaluating Information to Determine Compliance with Standards | Using relevant information and individual judgment to determine whether events or processes comply with laws, regulations, or standards. |
56.25 | Processing Information | Compiling, coding, categorizing, calculating, tabulating, auditing, or verifying information or data. |
56.25 | Documenting/Recording Information | Entering, transcribing, recording, storing, or maintaining information in written or electronic/magnetic form. |
53.50 | Establishing and Maintaining Interpersonal Relationships | Developing constructive and cooperative working relationships with others, and maintaining them over time. |
51.75 | Updating and Using Relevant Knowledge | Keeping up-to-date technically and applying new knowledge to your job. |
The data sources for the information displayed here include: O*NET™. (Using onet28)
Switchboard Operators, Including Answering Service
Work Styles
% | Subject | Description |
---|---|---|
89.50 | Dependability | Job requires being reliable, responsible, and dependable, and fulfilling obligations. |
85.25 | Self-Control | Job requires maintaining composure, keeping emotions in check, controlling anger, and avoiding aggressive behavior, even in very difficult situations. |
83.00 | Stress Tolerance | Job requires accepting criticism and dealing calmly and effectively with high-stress situations. |
80.50 | Attention to Detail | Job requires being careful about detail and thorough in completing work tasks. |
80.25 | Integrity | Job requires being honest and ethical. |
79.75 | Cooperation | Job requires being pleasant with others on the job and displaying a good-natured, cooperative attitude. |
79.75 | Concern for Others | Job requires being sensitive to others' needs and feelings and being understanding and helpful on the job. |
72.00 | Social Orientation | Job requires preferring to work with others rather than alone, and being personally connected with others on the job. |
69.00 | Persistence | Job requires persistence in the face of obstacles. |
63.25 | Adaptability/Flexibility | Job requires being open to change (positive or negative) and to considerable variety in the workplace. |
59.25 | Analytical Thinking | Job requires analyzing information and using logic to address work-related issues and problems. |
58.25 | Leadership | Job requires a willingness to lead, take charge, and offer opinions and direction. |
57.25 | Achievement/Effort | Job requires establishing and maintaining personally challenging achievement goals and exerting effort toward mastering tasks. |
56.75 | Initiative | Job requires a willingness to take on responsibilities and challenges. |
55.25 | Independence | Job requires developing one's own ways of doing things, guiding oneself with little or no supervision, and depending on oneself to get things done. |
The data sources for the information displayed here include: O*NET™. (Using onet28)
Switchboard Operators, Including Answering Service
Work Values
% | Subject | Description |
---|---|---|
77.83 | Relationships | Occupations that satisfy this work value allow employees to provide service to others and work with co-workers in a friendly non-competitive environment. Corresponding needs are Co-workers, Moral Values and Social Service. |
61.17 | Support | Occupations that satisfy this work value offer supportive management that stands behind employees. Corresponding needs are Company Policies, Supervision: Human Relations and Supervision: Technical. |
50.00 | Independence | Occupations that satisfy this work value allow employees to work on their own and make decisions. Corresponding needs are Creativity, Responsibility and Autonomy. |
The data sources for the information displayed here include: O*NET™. (Using onet28)
Switchboard Operators, Including Answering Service
Work Context
% | Subject | Description |
---|---|---|
100.00 | Telephone | How often do you have telephone conversations in this job? |
99.60 | Contact With Others | How much does this job require the worker to be in contact with others (face-to-face, by telephone, or otherwise) in order to perform it? |
92.20 | Electronic Mail | How often do you use electronic mail in this job? |
92.00 | Face-to-Face Discussions | How often do you have to have face-to-face discussions with individuals or teams in this job? |
89.80 | Frequency of Decision Making | How frequently is the worker required to make decisions that affect other people, the financial resources, and/or the image and reputation of the organization? |
87.80 | Deal With External Customers | How important is it to work with external customers or the public in this job? |
87.00 | Work With Work Group or Team | How important is it to work with others in a group or team in this job? |
86.80 | Deal With Unpleasant or Angry People | How frequently does the worker have to deal with unpleasant, angry, or discourteous individuals as part of the job requirements? |
86.60 | Indoors, Environmentally Controlled | How often does this job require working indoors in environmentally controlled conditions? |
78.60 | Importance of Being Exact or Accurate | How important is being very exact or highly accurate in performing this job? |
76.00 | Letters and Memos | How often does the job require written letters and memos? |
75.00 | Physical Proximity | To what extent does this job require the worker to perform job tasks in close physical proximity to other people? |
74.20 | Freedom to Make Decisions | How much decision making freedom, without supervision, does the job offer? |
73.80 | Spend Time Sitting | How much does this job require sitting? |
72.20 | Spend Time Making Repetitive Motions | How much does this job require making repetitive motions? |
71.80 | Frequency of Conflict Situations | How often are there conflict situations the employee has to face in this job? |
71.60 | Importance of Repeating Same Tasks | How important is repeating the same physical activities (e.g., key entry) or mental activities (e.g., checking entries in a ledger) over and over, without stopping, to performing this job? |
71.00 | Structured versus Unstructured Work | To what extent is this job structured for the worker, rather than allowing the worker to determine tasks, priorities, and goals? |
69.60 | Impact of Decisions on Co-workers or Company Results | What results do your decisions usually have on other people or the image or reputation or financial resources of your employer? |
66.20 | Coordinate or Lead Others | How important is it to coordinate or lead others in accomplishing work activities in this job? |
64.40 | Time Pressure | How often does this job require the worker to meet strict deadlines? |
58.40 | Spend Time Using Your Hands to Handle, Control, or Feel Objects, Tools, or Controls | How much does this job require using your hands to handle, control, or feel objects, tools or controls? |
54.40 | Responsible for Others' Health and Safety | How much responsibility is there for the health and safety of others in this job? |
51.00 | Responsibility for Outcomes and Results | How responsible is the worker for work outcomes and results of other workers? |
50.80 | Sounds, Noise Levels Are Distracting or Uncomfortable | How often does this job require working exposed to sounds and noise levels that are distracting or uncomfortable? |
The data sources for the information displayed here include: O*NET™. (Using onet28)
Switchboard Operators, Including Answering Service
Job Zone Two: Some Preparation Needed
- Overall Experience
- Some previous work-related skill, knowledge, or experience is usually needed. For example, a teller would benefit from experience working directly with the public.
- Job Training
- Employees in these occupations need anywhere from a few months to one year of working with experienced employees. A recognized apprenticeship program may be associated with these occupations.
- Examples
- These occupations often involve using your knowledge and skills to help others. Examples include orderlies, counter and rental clerks, customer service representatives, security guards, upholsterers, tellers, and dental laboratory technicians.
- Education
- These occupations usually require a high school diploma.
The data sources for the information displayed here include: O*NET™. (Using onet28)
Switchboard Operators, Including Answering Service
Earnings Benefits*
Region | Entry Level | Median | Experienced |
---|---|---|---|
United States | $25,640.00 | $34,670.00 | $40,070.00 |
Virginia | $22,880.00 | $30,130.00 | $36,240.00 |
Region | Entry Level | Median | Experienced |
Alexandria/Arlington | $29,591.01 | $37,276.18 | $41,908.97 |
Bay Consortium | No Data | No Data | No Data |
Capital Region Workforce Partnership | $30,606.40 | $39,697.42 | $40,856.39 |
Central VA/Region2000 | $29,331.74 | $33,825.08 | $35,324.93 |
Crater Area | No Data | No Data | No Data |
Greater Peninsula | $26,333.07 | $34,084.35 | $38,174.85 |
Hampton Roads | $27,477.59 | $32,188.88 | $36,751.44 |
New River/Mt. Rogers | $23,633.97 | $23,633.97 | $30,596.07 |
Northern Virginia | $30,859.47 | $41,416.25 | $43,730.07 |
Piedmont Workforce | $26,663.62 | $36,086.22 | $37,091.28 |
Shenandoah Valley | No Data | No Data | No Data |
South Central | No Data | No Data | No Data |
Southwestern Virginia | $23,633.97 | $23,633.97 | $28,690.27 |
West Piedmont | $23,633.97 | $24,532.64 | $31,426.57 |
Western Virginia | No Data | No Data | No Data |
* Earnings Calculations:
Regional Earnings:
Entry = Annual mean of the lower 1/3 wage distribution;
Experienced = Annual mean of the upper 2/3 wage distribution.
National and State Earnings:
Entry = Annual 10th percentile wage;
Experienced = Annual 75th percentile wage.
The data sources for the information displayed here include: US Department of Labor (BLS); Virginia Workforce Connection. (Using onet28)
Switchboard Operators, Including Answering Service
Employment Projections
Current | Projected | % Change | |
---|---|---|---|
United States | 49,000 | 37,200 | -24.1% |
Virginia | 1,067 | 856 | -19.8% |
Region | Current* | Projected | % Change |
Alexandria/Arlington | No Data | No Data | No Data |
Bay Consortium | No Data | No Data | No Data |
Capital Region Workforce Partnership | No Data | No Data | No Data |
Central VA/Region2000 | No Data | No Data | No Data |
Crater Area | No Data | No Data | No Data |
Greater Peninsula | No Data | No Data | No Data |
Hampton Roads | No Data | No Data | No Data |
New River/Mt. Rogers | No Data | No Data | No Data |
Northern Virginia | No Data | No Data | No Data |
Piedmont Workforce | No Data | No Data | No Data |
Shenandoah Valley | No Data | No Data | No Data |
South Central | No Data | No Data | No Data |
Southwestern Virginia | No Data | No Data | No Data |
West Piedmont | No Data | No Data | No Data |
Western Virginia | No Data | No Data | No Data |
The data sources for the information displayed here include: US Department of Labor (BLS); Virginia Workforce Connection. (Using onet28)
Switchboard Operators, Including Answering Service
Related Occupations
Related Occupations
The related occupations here have similar general capabilities and interests; career explorers may also be interested in the related occupations:- Telephone Operators
- Receptionists and Information Clerks
- Office Clerks, General
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- Customer Service Representatives
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- Medical Secretaries and Administrative Assistants
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- Executive Secretaries and Executive Administrative Assistants
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- Mail Clerks and Mail Machine Operators, Except Postal Service
- Postal Service Clerks
- First-Line Supervisors of Office and Administrative Support Workers
- Administrative Services Managers
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- Brokerage Clerks
Careers in Administrative Support Pathway:
- Bookkeeping, Accounting, and Auditing Clerks
- Communications Equipment Operators, All Other
- Computer Occupations, All Other
- Correspondence Clerks
- Customer Service Representatives
- Data Entry Keyers
- Executive Secretaries and Executive Administrative Assistants
- File Clerks
- First-Line Supervisors of Office and Administrative Support Workers
- Human Resources Assistants, Except Payroll and Timekeeping
- Information and Record Clerks, All Other
- Interviewers, Except Eligibility and Loan
- Library Assistants, Clerical
- Mail Clerks and Mail Machine Operators, Except Postal Service
- Meter Readers, Utilities
- New Accounts Clerks
- Office and Administrative Support Workers, All Other
- Office Clerks, General
- Office Machine Operators, Except Computer
- Order Clerks
- Patient Representatives
- Payroll and Timekeeping Clerks
- Postal Service Clerks
- Postal Service Mail Carriers
- Postal Service Mail Sorters, Processors, and Processing Machine Operators
- Procurement Clerks
- Receptionists and Information Clerks
- Secretaries and Administrative Assistants, Except Legal, Medical, and Executive
- Shipping, Receiving, and Inventory Clerks
- Stockers and Order Fillers
- Switchboard Operators, Including Answering Service
- Telephone Operators
- Word Processors and Typists
The data sources for the information displayed here include: O*NET™. (Using onet28)
Switchboard Operators, Including Answering Service
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Overview
Occupations
The data sources for the information displayed here include: New York State Department of Labor; New Jersey Department of Labor; California Occupational Information Coordinating Committee; CareerOneStop. (Using onet28)
Switchboard Operators, Including Answering Service
Military Training
There are no related military occupations for this occupation.
The data sources for the information displayed here include: Defense Manpower Data Center. (Using onet28)
Switchboard Operators, Including Answering Service
Proficiency Ratings
These proficiencies are scored on a scale from 1 to 5 with 1 being not
important to the job and 5 being extremely important to the job.
The data sources for the information displayed here include: O*NET™. (Using onet28)
Switchboard Operators, Including Answering Service
Titles
- Administrative Assistant
- Answering Service Telephone Operator
- CBX Operator
- Combination Operator
- Command and Control Specialist
- Communication Center Operator
- Communication Coordinator
- Communication Specialist
- Complaint Operator
- Customer Communications Specialist
- Customer Service Representative
- Desk Operator
- Dispatcher
- Exchange Operator
- Front Desk Receptionist
- Office Assistant
- Operator
- Operators Teacher
- PBX Operator
- PBX Operator (Private Branch Exchange Operator)
- PBX Teacher
- Police District Switchboard Operator
- Private Branch Exchange Service Adviser
- Receptionist
- Registration Clerk
- Route Clerk
- Secretary
- Switchboard Operator
- Switchboard Receptionist
- Switching Clerk
- Tandem Operator
- Telecommunications Clerk
- Telecommunications Operator
- Telecommunicator
- Telegraph Office Telephone Clerk
- Telephone Answering Service Operator
- Telephone Operator
- Telephone Switchboard Operator
- Test Operator
- Through Operator
- Traffic Observer
- Traffic Operator
The data sources for the information displayed here include: O*NET™. (Using onet28)
Switchboard Operators, Including Answering Service
Related Schools
There are no Related Schools at this time.The data sources for the information displayed here include: O*NET™. (Using onet28)