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Telephone Operators Salary in California

Last updated: 2025 BLS data · Page refreshed:

How much do Telephone Operators make in California?

Last updated: 2025 data from the Bureau of Labor Statistics

$57,170
Median Annual Salary
▲ +0.7% vs 2024
$55,910
Mean Salary
$57,170
Median Salary
$27.49
Hourly Rate
230 people work as Telephone Operators in California

Telephone Operators salary by percentile in California

BLS-reported salary distribution — from entry-level (10th percentile) to top earners (90th percentile).

Telephone Operators salary in California — 2025 BLS percentilesHorizontal bars showing 10th, 25th, 50th, 75th and 90th percentile annual salaries for Telephone Operators in California.10thBottom 10% earn less than $44,120$44,12025th25% earn less than $45,950$45,950MedianHalf earn more than $57,170$57,17075th75% earn less than $63,510$63,51090thTop 10% earn more than $66,670$66,670

Telephone Operators in California earn a median salary of $57,170 per year ($4,764/month). This is 35.1% above the national average of $42,311. California ranks #1 out of 16 states for Telephone Operators pay. Approximately 230 people work in this occupation across California. Salaries increased by 0.7% compared to 2024.

About This Job: 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.

Top Skills

Active Listening
4.0
Speaking
4.0
Service Orientation
3.75
Social Perceptiveness
3.25
Reading Comprehension
3.0

Key Knowledge Areas

Customer and Personal Service
4.59
English Language
4.25
Telecommunications
3.28
Communications and Media
3.08
Administrative
2.75
Typical Education: High School Diploma or Equivalent (83.6% of workers)

Source: O*NET OnLine, U.S. Department of Labor

Salary Range: Telephone Operators in California

Salaries for Telephone Operators in California range from $44,120 at the 10th percentile (entry level) to $66,670 at the 90th percentile (experienced). The middle 50% earn between $45,950 and $63,510.

Median $57,170
P10: $44,120 P25: $45,950 P75: $63,510 P90: $66,670
10th
$44,120
25th
$45,950
Median
$57,170
75th
$63,510
90th
$66,670
Percentile Annual Salary Hourly Rate Monthly
10th Percentile (Entry Level) $44,120 $21.21 $3,676
25th Percentile $45,950 $22.09 $3,829
Median (50th) $57,170 $27.49 $4,764
75th Percentile $63,510 $30.53 $5,292
90th Percentile (Experienced) $66,670 $32.05 $5,555

Note: The mean (average) salary of $55,910 differs from the median because salary distributions are typically skewed by high earners.

📊 How Does This Compare?

#1
California ranks #1 of 16 states
$42,311
National avg. for Telephone Operators
+35.1%
vs. national average
Above Average

What does this salary really buy? See Telephone Operators salary in California adjusted for cost of living →

How much do you actually take home? See Telephone Operators take-home pay in California after taxes →

Explore Telephone Operators Data in California

After-Tax Take-Home Pay Hourly Wage Breakdown Cost-of-Living Adjusted Entry-Level vs Senior Salary Employment Outlook & Job Demand

Telephone Operators Salary by State

Compare Telephone Operators pay across states — sorted by highest median salary.

New York $50,220 District of Columbia $49,330 Massachusetts $47,940 Wisconsin $46,590 Maryland $42,460 Virginia $42,350 New Jersey $41,960 Texas $41,250 North Carolina $40,360 Michigan $37,550

View all 50 states →

Related Careers in California

Explore similar occupations and their salaries in California.

Gambling Cage WorkersSimilar $37,650 Hotel, Motel, and Resort Desk ClerksSimilar $39,360 Receptionists and Information ClerksSimilar $44,100 Mail Clerks and Mail Machine Operators, Except Postal ServiceSimilar $44,410 Couriers and MessengersSimilar $44,970 Weighers, Measurers, Checkers, and Samplers, RecordkeepingSimilar $45,730 Shipping, Receiving, and Inventory ClerksSimilar $46,520 TellersSimilar $46,900 Data Entry KeyersSimilar $47,010 Office Machine Operators, Except ComputerSimilar $47,150

View all jobs in California →

Frequently Asked Questions

How much do Telephone Operators make in California?
The median annual salary for Telephone Operators in California is $57,170 as of 2025. The average (mean) salary is $55,910.
What is the salary range for a Telephone Operators in California?
Salaries for Telephone Operators in California range from $44,120 at the 10th percentile to $66,670 at the 90th percentile. The middle 50% earn between $45,950 and $63,510.
What is the starting salary for a Telephone Operators in California?
Entry-level Telephone Operators positions in California typically start around $44,120 (10th percentile). With some experience, salaries rise to $45,950 (25th percentile).
How many people work as Telephone Operators in California?
According to 2025 BLS data, approximately 230 people are employed as Telephone Operators in California.
What is the hourly rate for a Telephone Operators in California?
Based on a standard 2,080-hour work year, the median hourly rate for a Telephone Operators in California is approximately $27.49 per hour.

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More About California

Salary Data
All Salaries in California Average Salary in California Highest Paying Jobs in California
Salary Thresholds
Jobs Over $100K in California $100K+ Jobs Without a Degree in California
Top Cities in California
Los Angeles San Diego San Jose San Francisco
Top Colleges in California
Academy of Art University Academy of Chinese Culture and Health Sciences College of Alameda Allan Hancock College

Data Source & Methodology

Salary data is sourced from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) survey, 2025 estimates. The OEWS survey covers approximately 1.1 million establishments nationwide.

Annual salaries are calculated based on a standard 2,080-hour work year. Actual compensation may vary based on experience, education, employer, and local market conditions. Figures do not include benefits, bonuses, or overtime pay.

Our Methodology · Data Sources · Source: BLS OEWS

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