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Telephone Operator

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AVG. SALARY

$33,860

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EDUCATION

High school (GED) +

What They Do

Telephone Operators Career Video

Insider Info

Telephone operators answer all kinds of phone systems -- private, corporate and government. They listen to customers, and then do their best to meet each caller's needs.

Long-distance operators help customers make long-distance calls, collect calls, international calls, conference calls and reverse-charge calls. These types of operators also handle calls from public pay phones.

Sometimes, they also have to help people in emergency situations. They may even get people who can't dial the phone numbers themselves!

Private branch exchange (PBX) operators work the telephone systems in corporate, government or industrial settings. They also answer calls, give callers information, help customers and transfer calls. Some PBX operators occasionally make outgoing calls for employees.

Directory assistance operators (DA) concentrate on helping customers find business and residential phone numbers. Callers give them the information they're looking for. The DA operator enters the information into their computer and tells the caller what they found.

Finally, you have telephone operators who work at answering services. These operators answer calls for the answering service's customers. Their main duty is to relay messages from each incoming call so that clients don't lose business. These operators may also make client appointments.

Operators either work alone or with other operators. Their work environment is usually very comfortable, well lit and well ventilated.

Most operators work about 40 hours a week. Sometimes they also have to work evenings, Sundays and holidays. New operators generally work either split shifts or night shifts. Senior operators get first priority for the better shifts.

Just the Facts

Want a quick overview of what this career is about?Check out Just the Facts for simple lists of characteristics.

At a Glance

Answer private, corporate and government phone systems

  • Most operators work about 40 hours a week
  • Sometimes they help people in emergency situations
  • Training is usually done by telephone companies or company personnel

Contact

  • Email Support

  • 1-800-GO-TO-XAP (1-800-468-6927)
    From outside the U.S., please call +1 (424) 750-3900

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