Switchboard Operators, Including Answering Service Salary in New York-Newark-Jersey City, NY-NJ
The median pay for a switchboard operators, including answering service in New York-Newark-Jersey City, NY-NJ is $46,030/year ($22.13/hour), per BLS data. The range runs from $37K at the entry level to $81K for experienced workers. Prices run high here (RPP 112.56), so that salary is closer to $40,894 in real purchasing power. A 2-bedroom apartment runs $2,910/month — about 91.6% of take-home, which is tight.
So what does $46K get you in New York-Newark-Jersey City?
Groceries, utilities, transportation, and healthcare scaled from national averages by New York-Newark-Jersey City’s Regional Price Parity (112.56). Rent from HUD Fair Market Rents. Taxes estimated for single filer, standard deduction. * Healthcare is the employee-paid share only (premiums + out-of-pocket). Actual costs vary by coverage type: employer-sponsored, ACA marketplace, or uninsured.
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Compensation breakdown
Annual earnings by percentile, New York-Newark-Jersey City, NY-NJ
Entry-level switchboard operators, including answering services (10th percentile) start around $37K. Mid-career wages sit at $46K. Top earners bring in $81K or more, a $44K spread from bottom to top.
Switchboard Operators, Including Answering Service pay across states
Median income ranked highest to lowest, compared to the national figure
| State | Median salary | vs. national | Employment |
|---|---|---|---|
| Hawaii | $57K | +49% | 370 |
| District of Columbia | $55K | +44% | 200 |
| California | $49K | +29% | 7,170 |
| Oregon | $49K | +29% | 360 |
| Minnesota | $48K | +26% | 340 |
| Washington | $46K | +21% | 360 |
| New York | $45K | +17% | 2,070 |
| Maine | $42K | +10% | 110 |
| Montana | $42K | +9% | 40 |
| Utah | $41K | +8% | 110 |
| New Hampshire | $41K | +6% | 150 |
| Massachusetts | $41K | +6% | 1,010 |
| Illinois | $40K | +5% | 1,830 |
| Wisconsin | $40K | +4% | 480 |
| Maryland | $40K | +4% | 530 |
| Vermont | $40K | +3% | 110 |
| Arizona | $39K | +2% | 560 |
| Rhode Island | $38K | -0% | 140 |
| Georgia | $38K | -1% | 680 |
| Michigan | $38K | -1% | 430 |
| Pennsylvania | $38K | -1% | 1,240 |
| New Jersey | $38K | -1% | 730 |
| Idaho | $38K | -2% | 70 |
| New Mexico | $37K | -2% | 220 |
| Nevada | $37K | -3% | 850 |
| Iowa | $37K | -3% | 260 |
| Delaware | $37K | -4% | 160 |
| Kansas | $37K | -4% | 180 |
| Nebraska | $37K | -4% | 220 |
| Alaska | $37K | -5% | 60 |
| Connecticut | $37K | -5% | 370 |
| Kentucky | $37K | -5% | 350 |
| Ohio | $36K | -5% | 800 |
| North Carolina | $36K | -6% | 740 |
| Missouri | $36K | -7% | 880 |
| Virginia | $36K | -7% | N/A |
| Louisiana | $35K | -8% | 870 |
| Oklahoma | $35K | -8% | 360 |
| Florida | $35K | -9% | 2,940 |
| Indiana | $35K | -10% | 500 |
| West Virginia | $35K | -10% | 150 |
| Arkansas | $34K | -12% | 290 |
| South Carolina | $34K | -12% | 630 |
| Tennessee | $33K | -13% | 870 |
| Texas | $32K | -17% | 2,860 |
| Mississippi | $32K | -18% | 300 |
| Alabama | $31K | -18% | 820 |
Showing 1–10 of 47 states
BLS does not publish data for every state when sample sizes are too small
Track switchboard operators, including answering service salary changes
BLS updates this data quarterly. We'll email you when New York-Newark-Jersey City numbers change.
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Frequently asked questions
How much do switchboard operators, including answering services make in New York-Newark-Jersey City, NY-NJ?
The median is $46,030 a year, that works out to about $22 an hour. But the range is wide: entry-level workers start around $37,090, and experienced switchboard operators, including answering services can clear $81,000. These are BLS numbers, based on employer-reported data, not self-reported surveys.
Is $46K enough to live in New York-Newark-Jersey City?
On that salary, you'd take home roughly $3,091/month after taxes. A 2-bedroom here rents for about $2,910/month, which eats 94.1% of your paycheck. That's above the 30% rule of thumb, housing will be a stretch at the median salary, though you can manage with roommates or a smaller place.
How far does a switchboard operators, including answering service salary go in New York-Newark-Jersey City?
New York-Newark-Jersey City has a Regional Price Parity of 112.56 (100 is the national average). Prices are above average here, so your dollar buys less than the same salary would in a cheaper metro. After cost-of-living adjustment, the median switchboard operators, including answering service salary is worth about $40,894 in national-average purchasing power.
Where do switchboard operators, including answering services get paid the most?
The table above ranks every state by median pay for this role. Keep in mind that the highest-paying states tend to have the highest costs of living, so the top salary doesn't always mean the most money in your pocket.