Telephone Operators vs. Office Clerks, General: Who Earns More?
Office Clerks, General out-earn Telephone Operators by $3K a year at the national median, per BLS OEWS May 2025. Telephone Operators land at $41,740 and Office Clerks, General at $45,010. The education gap is real: telephone operator programs typically require high school diploma or equivalent, while office clerks, general programs require high school diploma or equivalent. Top-paying state for Telephone Operators is California ($57,170); for Office Clerks, General it's District of Columbia ($55,040).
Pay by state
States where both occupations have BLS data, sorted by Telephone Operators median pay.
Source: BLS OEWS May 2025. Highlighted value is higher in each row.
Common questions
Who earns more, Telephone Operators or Office Clerks, General?
Office Clerks, General earn more nationally. The median is $41,740 for Telephone Operators versus $45,010 for Office Clerks, General, a difference of $3K. Per BLS OEWS May 2025.
Which has better job growth, Telephone Operators or Office Clerks, General?
Office Clerks, General has the better 10-year outlook at -6.7% projected growth, compared to -27.5% for the other field. Both are from BLS Employment Projections.
Which requires more education, Telephone Operators or Office Clerks, General?
Telephone Operators typically requires high school diploma or equivalent. Office Clerks, General requires high school diploma or equivalent. Education requirements vary by employer and state licensing board.
Where do Telephone Operators get paid the most?
California is the top-paying state for Telephone Operators at $57,170/year, per BLS OEWS May 2025. Major metro areas within that state typically pay even more than the state average.
How does Telephone Operators vs. Office Clerks, General pay differ by state?
The gap varies significantly by state. In California, Telephone Operators earn $57,170 vs. $48,460 for Office Clerks, General. See the state comparison table on this page for the full picture.