Switchboard Operators, Including Answering Service Salary in Des Moines, IA

BLS Occupational Employment & Wage Statistics • May 2025 • Des Moines-West Des Moines, IA

Median annual salary $38,680 +0.8% vs national
Median hourly $18.60
10th percentile $34,390
90th percentile $48,880
Employed locally 60
National median $38,370

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Switchboard Operators, Including Answering Service
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    Salary percentile breakdown

    10th
    $34,390
    25th
    $35,870
    50th (median)
    $38,680
    75th
    $42,810
    90th
    $48,880

    Des Moines economic context

    Unemployment rate 3.00% 2024 annual avg • BLS LAUS
    Median household income $84,209 2023 • Census ACS
    Switchboard Operators, Including Answering Service salary vs area income 46% Median Switchboard Operators, Including Answering Service salary is 54% below the area median household income

    Top-paying metros for Switchboard Operators, Including Answering Service

    Metro areaMedian salary
    San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA $73,220
    Modesto, CA $61,760
    Urban Honolulu, HI $61,350
    Barnstable Town, MA $59,810
    Kahului-Wailuku, HI $59,500
    Stockton-Lodi, CA $58,750

    Nearby metros — Switchboard Operators, Including Answering Service salary comparison

    Metro areaMedian salary
    District of Columbia $55,140
    California $49,460
    Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV $46,730
    Denver-Aurora-Centennial, CO $43,610
    North Coast Region of California nonmetropolitan area $42,780
    Philadelphia-Camden-Wilmington, PA-NJ-DE-MD $42,760

    Related occupations in Des Moines, IA

    OccupationMedian salary
    Customer Service Representatives $48,240
    Office Clerks, General $44,350
    Bookkeeping, Accounting, and Auditing Clerks $49,500
    First-Line Supervisors of Office and Administrative Support Workers $67,540
    Secretaries and Administrative Assistants, Except Legal, Medical, and Executive $46,440
    Medical Secretaries and Administrative Assistants $40,450

    Frequently asked questions

    How much do Switchboard Operators, Including Answering Service make per hour in Des Moines?

    The median hourly wage for Switchboard Operators, Including Answering Service in Des Moines, IA is $18.60, based on BLS OEWS 2025 data. Top earners (90th percentile) make $21.91 or more per hour.

    Is Des Moines above or below average for Switchboard Operators, Including Answering Service salaries?

    The median Switchboard Operators, Including Answering Service salary in Des Moines, IA is 0.8% above the national median of $38,370. The national figure is from BLS OEWS 2025 data covering all US metropolitan areas.

    What is the entry-level salary for Switchboard Operators, Including Answering Service in Des Moines?

    Entry-level Switchboard Operators, Including Answering Service (10th percentile) earn around $34,390 per year in Des Moines, IA. The 25th percentile — typically workers with 1–3 years of experience — earn approximately $35,870.