Telephone Operators
Provide information by accessing alphabetical, geographical, or other directories. Assist customers with special billing requests, such as charges to a third party and credits or refunds for incorrectly dialed numbers or bad connections. May handle emergency calls and assist children or people with physical disabilities to make telephone calls.
How to read this profile
BLS projects U.S. employment for Telephone Operators to decrease by -27.6% between 2024 and 2034, from 3,500 to 2,500 jobs. Its estimate of 200 annual openings includes replacement needs, so it does not represent current vacancies, contract postings, or freelance demand. The wage ($41,740), education (High school diploma or equivalent), and related experience (None) figures on this profile describe typical U.S. employees. O*NET skills describe the occupation; they do not assess an individual worker's proficiency.
Base employment (2024)
3,500
Projected employment (2034)
2,500
Projected change (2024–2034)
-28%
Annual openings (projected average)
200
Pay & Preparation
$41,740
High school diploma or equivalent
None
Short-term on-the-job training
Essential Skills
Active Listening (4/5) • Speaking (4/5) • Service Orientation (3.5/5) • Social Perceptiveness (3.12/5) • Reading Comprehension (3/5) • Critical Thinking (3/5)
O*NET describes occupational requirements; these ratings do not measure current job-posting frequency or an individual worker’s proficiency.
BLS projections are long-term estimates; annual openings include growth and replacement needs and are not current vacancies.
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