Telephone Operators Salary in New York-Newark-Jersey City, NY-NJ
In New York-Newark-Jersey City, NY-NJ, telephone operators earn $51,390 at the median — $24.71 an hour. The range runs from $36K at the entry level to $77K for experienced workers. Prices run high here (RPP 112.56), so that salary is closer to $45,656 in real purchasing power. A 2-bedroom apartment runs $2,910/month — about 86.7% of take-home, which is tight.
AffordMap analysis of BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (latest release, May 2024)
So what does $51K get you in New York-Newark-Jersey City?
About telephone operators
Compensation breakdown
Annual earnings by percentile, New York-Newark-Jersey City, NY-NJ
Entry-level telephone operators (10th percentile) start around $36K. Mid-career wages sit at $51K.Top earners bring in $77K or more - a $41K 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 New York-Newark-Jersey City numbers change.
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Frequently asked questions
How much do telephone operators make in New York-Newark-Jersey City, NY-NJ?
The median is $51,390 a year - that works out to about $24.71 an hour. The range is wide: entry-level workers start around $36,040, and experienced telephone operators can clear $76,780. These are BLS numbers, based on employer-reported data, not self-reported surveys.
Is $51K enough to live in New York-Newark-Jersey City?
On that salary, you'd take home roughly $3,426/month after taxes. A 2-bedroom here rents for about $2,910/month (HUD Fair Market Rent), which eats 84.9% 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 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 telephone operators salary is worth about $45,656 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.