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Switchboard Operators, Including Answering Service Salary in Washington, DC

In the 2025 U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, OEWS dataset, Switchboard Operators, Including Answering Service in Washington, DC have a median annual salary of $45,750, with 580 recorded jobs in this area. Recorded earnings range from $35,810 at the 10th percentile to $61,580 at the 90th percentile.

Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, OEWS · Data year: 2025 · Last updated: 2026-09-22

Salary overview

Median annual salary

$45,750

Data year: 2025

Hourly median

$21.99

Employment

580

Source

U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, OEWS

Salary distribution

$35,810
10th
$37,530
25th
$45,750
Median
$52,670
75th
$61,580
90th

Local compared with national

Washington, DC

$45,750

Median annual · 2025

United States

$38,630

Median annual · 2025

The Washington, DC median is 18.4% above the national median in the available dataset (a difference of $7,120).

Top skills

  1. 1.Active ListeningImportance 4.0
  2. 2.SpeakingImportance 3.9
  3. 3.Social PerceptivenessImportance 3.5
  4. 4.Service OrientationImportance 3.1
  5. 5.Reading ComprehensionImportance 3.0
  6. 6.CoordinationImportance 3.0
  7. 7.MonitoringImportance 2.9
  8. 8.WritingImportance 2.8
  9. 9.Critical ThinkingImportance 2.8
  10. 10.Time ManagementImportance 2.8
  11. 11.Judgment and Decision MakingImportance 2.6
  12. 12.Active LearningImportance 2.5

Career information

Education and experience

Typical education
High School Diploma or the equivalent (such as a GED)
Experience
Over 1 year, up to and including 2 years
Job zone
2

Technology used

  • IBM Notes
  • M-Tech Hotel Service Optimization System HotSOS
  • Microsoft Access
  • Microsoft Excel
  • Microsoft Office software
  • Microsoft Outlook
  • Microsoft PowerPoint
  • Microsoft Windows
  • Microsoft Word
  • SAP software

Common tasks

  • Operate communication systems, such as telephone, switchboard, intercom, two-way radio, or public address.
  • Answer incoming calls, greeting callers, providing information, transferring calls or taking messages as necessary.
  • Greet visitors, log them in and out of the facility, assign them security badges, and contact employee escorts.
  • Monitor emergency and code alarms, make emergency announcements, or route emergency calls to the appropriate location.
  • Record messages, suggesting rewording for clarity or conciseness.
  • Page individuals to inform them of telephone calls, using paging or interoffice communication equipment.
  • Relay or route written or verbal messages.
  • Perform various cash handling tasks, such as collecting payments, making bank deposits, or managing petty cash.
  • Place telephone calls or arrange conference calls as instructed.
  • Process incoming or outgoing mail, packages, or deliveries.

Related careers

Occupations recorded as related in the dataset. A relationship does not imply a guaranteed transition.

Switchboard Operators, Including Answering Service salary in other locations

Other occupations in Washington, DC