Telephone operators
Telephone operators is an occupation catalogued under SOC 43-2021. The role reports a median annual salary of $39,130 in the US and is projected to decline by 28% over the next decade. Entry typically requires a High school diploma or equivalent, and shows high AI exposure (0.79 on a 0-1 scale) — significant portions of core tasks are already being automated. The most in-demand skills for the role include characteristics of products, credit card payments, characteristics of services, guarantee customer satisfaction, create solutions to problems.
Top skills
Frequently asked questions
How much does Telephone operators earn?
The median annual salary for Telephone operators in the US is $39,130.
What is the job outlook for Telephone operators?
The role is projected to decline by 28% over the next decade. Current US employment is approximately 4,000 workers.
How do I become telephone operators?
The typical entry education is a High school diploma or equivalent. Building a foundation in the top skills below will strengthen your application.
What skills does Telephone operators need?
The most in-demand skills for this role include characteristics of products, credit card payments, characteristics of services, guarantee customer satisfaction, create solutions to problems, perform multiple tasks at the same time. These are the skills O*NET identifies as most important for competent performance.
Will AI replace Telephone operators?
Our AI-durability model gives Telephone operators a score of 0.79 on a 0-1 scale (higher = more exposure). That places it at high AI risk — many core tasks are already being automated by generative AI and workflow tools. Focus on AI-adjacent skills or plan a pivot to an AI-durable adjacent role.
How hard is it to enter this field?
Telephone operators has low barrier to entry — generally accessible — you can enter with basic credentials and on-the-job learning.
Is Telephone operators right for you?
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