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Occupation · SOC 43-2021

Telephone Operators

There are 3,430 jobs in the U.S. Median pay is $41,740 a year. The most jobs are in Philadelphia–Camden–Wilmington, PA–NJ–DE–MD.

Office & Admin SupportTypical education: High school diploma or equivalent
3,430
Jobs in the U.S.
People employed, May 2025
$41,740
Median pay a year
Middle half: $36,920–$51,510
200
Annual openings
10-year change: −27.6%
High school diploma or equivalent
Typical education to enter

Metro areas with the highest employment

10 of 14 metro areas with BLS data for this occupation. LCA filings: Apr 2025–Mar 2026.

Metro areaEmploymentMedian payLCA filings
Philadelphia–Camden–Wilmington, PA–NJ–DE–MDMedian pay $45,000 · LCA filings 0140$45,0000
Los Angeles–Long Beach–Anaheim, CAMedian pay $58,900 · LCA filings 0110$58,9000
Austin–Round Rock–San Marcos, TXMedian pay $44,980 · LCA filings 0100$44,9800
Charleston–North Charleston, SCMedian pay n/a · LCA filings 090n/a0
Baltimore–Columbia–Towson, MDMedian pay $42,460 · LCA filings 080$42,4600
Cleveland, OHMedian pay $39,570 · LCA filings 070$39,5700
Washington–Arlington–Alexandria, DC–VA–MD–WVMedian pay $47,410 · LCA filings 060$47,4100
Cincinnati, OH–KY–INMedian pay $37,600 · LCA filings 050$37,6000
Detroit–Warren–Dearborn, MIMedian pay $37,550 · LCA filings 050$37,5500
Nashville–Davidson––Murfreesboro––Franklin, TNMedian pay n/a · LCA filings 050n/a0

Metro areas with the highest median pay

Median pay for this occupation in each metro area, May 2025.

Metro areaMedian payEmploymentLCA filings
Los Angeles–Long Beach–Anaheim, CAEmployment 110 · LCA filings 0$58,9001100
Washington–Arlington–Alexandria, DC–VA–MD–WVEmployment 60 · LCA filings 0$47,410600
Philadelphia–Camden–Wilmington, PA–NJ–DE–MDEmployment 140 · LCA filings 0$45,0001400
Austin–Round Rock–San Marcos, TXEmployment 100 · LCA filings 0$44,9801000
Baltimore–Columbia–Towson, MDEmployment 80 · LCA filings 0$42,460800

Prevailing wage levels (H-1B and PERM)

The minimum yearly wage by level. Level I is entry level and Level IV is fully competent; an H-1B employer must pay at least the level that fits the job.

Metro areaLevel ILevel IILevel IIILevel IV
Philadelphia–Camden–Wilmington, PA–NJ–DE–MDLevel II $43,118 · Level III $49,088 · Level IV $55,037$37,170$43,118$49,088$55,037
Los Angeles–Long Beach–Anaheim, CALevel II $50,440 · Level III $55,474 · Level IV $60,486$45,427$50,440$55,474$60,486
Austin–Round Rock–San Marcos, TXLevel II $41,038 · Level III $43,992 · Level IV $46,925$38,106$41,038$43,992$46,925
Charleston–North Charleston, SCLevel II $38,688 · Level III $44,907 · Level IV $51,106$32,490$38,688$44,907$51,106
Baltimore–Columbia–Towson, MDLevel II $43,098 · Level III $44,491 · Level IV $45,906$41,683$43,098$44,491$45,906
Cleveland, OHLevel II $37,877 · Level III $42,702 · Level IV $47,507$33,072$37,877$42,702$47,507
Washington–Arlington–Alexandria, DC–VA–MD–WVLevel II $44,907 · Level III $50,170 · Level IV $55,432$39,645$44,907$50,170$55,432
Cincinnati, OH–KY–INLevel II $37,336 · Level III $38,813 · Level IV $40,290$35,859$37,336$38,813$40,290
Detroit–Warren–Dearborn, MILevel II $37,898 · Level III $39,749 · Level IV $41,621$36,026$37,898$39,749$41,621
Nashville–Davidson––Murfreesboro––Franklin, TNLevel II $38,688 · Level III $44,907 · Level IV $51,106$32,490$38,688$44,907$51,106

Source: U.S. Department of Labor, OFLC Online Wage Library, July 2026–June 2027.

See Telephone Operators in every metro area

All 14 metro areas, pay in each, related majors, schools in each job market, and employers with LCA filing history.

Employers with LCA filings for this occupation

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Related occupations · Office & Admin Support

Customer Service RepresentativesOffice Clerks, GeneralSecretaries and Administrative Assistants, except Legal, Medical, and ExecutiveBookkeeping, Accounting, and Auditing ClerksFirst-Line Supervisors of Office and Administrative Support WorkersReceptionists and Information ClerksMedical Secretaries and Administrative AssistantsShipping, Receiving, and Inventory Clerks

Sources: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), May 2025 · BLS Employment Projections 2025-35 · U.S. Department of Labor LCA disclosure data, Apr 2025–Mar 2026 · IPEDS 2024–25. Prevailing wages: U.S. Department of Labor, OFLC Online Wage Library, July 2026–June 2027. Methodology