Telephone Operators vs. Office Clerks, General: Who Earns More?
Office Clerks, Generals out-earn Telephone Operatorss by $3K a year at the national median, per BLS OEWS May 2025. Telephone Operatorss land at $41,740 and Office Clerks, Generals 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 Operatorss is California ($57,170); for Office Clerks, Generals 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 Operatorss or Office Clerks, Generals?
Office Clerks, Generals earn more nationally. The median is $41,740 for Telephone Operatorss versus $45,010 for Office Clerks, Generals, a difference of $3K. Per BLS OEWS May 2025.
Which has better job growth, Telephone Operators or Office Clerks, General?
BLS Employment Projections data is not available for one or both occupations. Check the individual career pages for current outlook figures.
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 Operatorss get paid the most?
California is the top-paying state for Telephone Operatorss 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 Operatorss earn $57,170 vs. $48,460 for Office Clerks, Generals. See the state comparison table on this page for the full picture.