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Balancing high-tech equipment and customer service, communications equipment operators play an important part in office communication. Switchboard operators and telephone operators both fall under the category of communications equipment operator. Whether operators are interfacing with customers or connecting individuals within an office, they offer a valuable service.

Communications equipment operator salary 2010 information

Wages for communications equipment operators may vary based on job duties, location, industry and experience. The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) provides mean annual wages from 2010 for a range of related jobs:

• Telephone operators: $33,400
• Switchboard operators, including answering service: $26,280
• Communications equipment operators, all other: $37,960

Industries with the highest levels of employment for the occupation include business support services, wired telecommunications carriers, the federal government and hospitals. According to 2011 data from Salary.com, switchboard operators earn an average of $28,129 yearly, while senior-level switchboard operators earn $39,071.

Top industries for switchboard operators

Switchboard operators comprise the largest number of communications equipment operators in the U.S.--138,200 were employed in 2010, the BLS reports. Check out the highest-paying industries for switchboard operators in 2010, as reported by the BLS:

1. Natural gas distribution: $46,360
2. Other miscellaneous manufacturing: $40,830
3. Promoters of performing arts, sports and similar events: $34,310
4. Federal executive branch: $33,910
5. Other telecommunications: $33,210

Top locations for communications equipment operators

Location is a determining factor in wages for communications equipment operators. The BLS provides metropolitan areas with the highest concentration of telephone operator jobs in 2010, including their mean annual wages:

1. Chattanooga, TN-GA: $23,540
2. Providence-Fall River-Warwick, RI-MA: $42,260
3. Salt Lake City, UT: $24,670
4. Los Angeles-Long Beach-Glendale, CA: $39,770
5. Baltimore-Towson, MD: $42,030

Cost of living should be taken into account when considering area wages. For example, mean annual wages in Chattanooga are almost $20,000 less than Providence, but Tennessee is the second most affordable state in the U.S. to live in, according to the Missouri Economic Research and Information Center (MERIC). Utah ranks in the top twenty most affordable states for cost of living, according to MERIC.

Browse communications equipment operator schools

While a high school diploma is sufficient for some entry level jobs in the field, additional training can pave the way toward advancement to management and other specialized roles. Training online adds the convenience of logging on to complete your studies on your own time. Whether you're earning a high school diploma, GED or certification in communications equipment, online training blends necessary instruction and online accessibility.

High turnover expected for communications equipment operators

A 10 percent decline is projected in career opportunities for communications equipment operators between 2008 and 2018, the BLS reports. Increasingly sophisticated technologies mean potential future declines in the industry. However, the BLS notes that high turnover within the profession means that job opportunities should still be favorable. In areas of high job competition, formal training in online databases, telecommunications equipment and job protocols can be appealing to hiring managers.

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