Switchboard Operators, Including Answering Service Salary in Richmond, VA
The median pay for a switchboard operators, including answering service in Richmond, VA is $36,310/year ($17.46/hour), per BLS data. The range runs from $29K at the entry level to $37K for experienced workers. Adjusted for local prices (RPP 97.86), that's roughly $37,104 in purchasing power. A 2-bedroom apartment runs $1,655/month — about 66.8% of take-home, which is tight.
So what does $36K get you in Richmond?
Groceries, utilities, transportation, and healthcare scaled from national averages by Richmond’s Regional Price Parity (97.86). 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.
About switchboard operators, including answering services
Sponsored links — AffordMap may earn a commission at no cost to you. Learn more
Compensation breakdown
Annual earnings by percentile, Richmond, VA
Entry-level switchboard operators, including answering services (10th percentile) start around $29K. Mid-career wages sit at $36K. Top earners bring in $37K or more, a $7K 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 Richmond numbers change.
Related careers in Office & Admin
Frequently asked questions
How much do switchboard operators, including answering services make in Richmond, VA?
The median is $36,310 a year, that works out to about $17 an hour. But the range is wide: entry-level workers start around $29,260, and experienced switchboard operators, including answering services can clear $36,680. These are BLS numbers, based on employer-reported data, not self-reported surveys.
Is $36K enough to live in Richmond?
On that salary, you'd take home roughly $2,470/month after taxes. A 2-bedroom here rents for about $1,655/month, which eats 67% 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 Richmond?
Richmond has a Regional Price Parity of 97.86 (100 is the national average). That's below average, your money stretches further here than the raw salary number suggests. After cost-of-living adjustment, the median switchboard operators, including answering service salary is worth about $37,104 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.