Telephone Operators Salary in Detroit-Warren-Dearborn, MI
In Detroit-Warren-Dearborn, MI, telephone operators earn $39,470 at the median — $18.98 an hour. The range runs from $35K at the entry level to $48K for experienced workers. Adjusted for local prices (RPP 100.3), that's roughly $39,352 in purchasing power. A 2-bedroom apartment runs $1,411/month — about 52.4% of take-home, which is tight.
AffordMap analysis of BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (latest release, May 2024)
So what does $39K get you in Detroit-Warren-Dearborn?
About telephone operators
Compensation breakdown
Annual earnings by percentile, Detroit-Warren-Dearborn, MI
Entry-level telephone operators (10th percentile) start around $35K. Mid-career wages sit at $39K.Top earners bring in $48K or more - a $13K spread from bottom to top.
Telephone Operators pay across states
Median income ranked highest to lowest, compared to the national figure
| State | Median salary | vs. national | Employment |
|---|---|---|---|
| California | $57K | +45% | 190 |
| New York | $54K | +37% | 350 |
| Hawaii | $52K | +33% | 40 |
| District of Columbia | $48K | +22% | N/A |
| Massachusetts | $46K | +19% | N/A |
| Maryland | $41K | +5% | 110 |
| New Jersey | $41K | +4% | 230 |
| Connecticut | $41K | +4% | 30 |
| Michigan | $40K | +3% | 60 |
| Ohio | $38K | -3% | 190 |
| Kentucky | $38K | -3% | 100 |
| Wisconsin | $38K | -3% | N/A |
| Oklahoma | $37K | -4% | 40 |
| Texas | $37K | -6% | 640 |
| Georgia | $37K | -7% | 140 |
Track telephone operators salary changes
BLS updates this data quarterly. We'll email you when Detroit-Warren-Dearborn numbers change.
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Frequently asked questions
How much do telephone operators make in Detroit-Warren-Dearborn, MI?
The median is $39,470 a year - that works out to about $18.98 an hour. The range is wide: entry-level workers start around $34,610, and experienced telephone operators can clear $47,780. These are BLS numbers, based on employer-reported data, not self-reported surveys.
Is $39K enough to live in Detroit-Warren-Dearborn?
On that salary, you'd take home roughly $2,673/month after taxes. A 2-bedroom here rents for about $1,411/month (HUD Fair Market Rent), which eats 52.8% 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 telephone operators salary go in Detroit-Warren-Dearborn?
Detroit-Warren-Dearborn has a Regional Price Parity of 100.3 (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 telephone operators salary is worth about $39,352 in national-average purchasing power.
Where do telephone operators 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.