Switchboard Operators, Including Answering Service Salary in Virginia Beach-Chesapeake-Norfolk, VA-NC
The median pay for a switchboard operators, including answering service in Virginia Beach-Chesapeake-Norfolk, VA-NC is $35,240/year ($16.94/hour), per BLS data. The range runs from $27K at the entry level to $43K for experienced workers. Adjusted for local prices (RPP 97.94), that's roughly $35,981 in purchasing power. A 2-bedroom apartment runs $1,713/month — about 71.3% of take-home, which is tight.
So what does $35K get you in Virginia Beach-Chesapeake-Norfolk?
Groceries, utilities, transportation, and healthcare scaled from national averages by Virginia Beach-Chesapeake-Norfolk’s Regional Price Parity (97.94). 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, Virginia Beach-Chesapeake-Norfolk, VA-NC
Entry-level switchboard operators, including answering services (10th percentile) start around $27K. Mid-career wages sit at $35K. Top earners bring in $43K or more, a $16K 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 Virginia Beach-Chesapeake-Norfolk numbers change.
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Frequently asked questions
How much do switchboard operators, including answering services make in Virginia Beach-Chesapeake-Norfolk, VA-NC?
The median is $35,240 a year, that works out to about $17 an hour. But the range is wide: entry-level workers start around $27,100, and experienced switchboard operators, including answering services can clear $42,790. These are BLS numbers, based on employer-reported data, not self-reported surveys.
Is $35K enough to live in Virginia Beach-Chesapeake-Norfolk?
On that salary, you'd take home roughly $2,404/month after taxes. A 2-bedroom here rents for about $1,713/month, which eats 71.3% 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 Virginia Beach-Chesapeake-Norfolk?
Virginia Beach-Chesapeake-Norfolk has a Regional Price Parity of 97.94 (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 $35,981 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.