Telephone Operators Salary in Washington, DC-VA-MD-WV

BLS Occupational Employment & Wage Statistics • May 2025 • Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV

Median annual salary $44,400 +13.5% vs national
Median hourly $21.35
10th percentile $36,400
90th percentile $60,010
Employed locally 90
National median $39,130

Compare Telephone Operators salary & buying power

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Telephone Operators
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Washington, DC-VA-MD-WV
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    Salary percentile breakdown

    10th
    $36,400
    25th
    $39,130
    50th (median)
    $44,400
    75th
    $48,690
    90th
    $60,010

    Washington economic context

    Unemployment rate 3.00% 2024 annual avg • BLS LAUS
    Median household income $123,896 2023 • Census ACS
    Telephone Operators salary vs area income 36% Median Telephone Operators salary is 64% below the area median household income

    Top-paying metros for Telephone Operators

    Metro areaMedian salary
    California $56,770
    New York $53,510
    Los Angeles-Long Beach-Anaheim, CA $52,990
    Hawaii $52,160
    New York-Newark-Jersey City, NY-NJ $51,390
    District of Columbia $47,890

    Related occupations in Washington, DC-VA-MD-WV

    OccupationMedian salary
    Office Clerks, General $51,270
    Customer Service Representatives $44,800
    Secretaries and Administrative Assistants, Except Legal, Medical, and Executive $51,580
    First-Line Supervisors of Office and Administrative Support Workers $75,280
    Bookkeeping, Accounting, and Auditing Clerks $57,010
    Receptionists and Information Clerks $39,760

    Frequently asked questions

    How much do Telephone Operators make per hour in Washington?

    The median hourly wage for Telephone Operators in Washington, DC-VA-MD-WV is $21.35, based on BLS OEWS 2025 data. Top earners (90th percentile) make $30.84 or more per hour.

    Is Washington above or below average for Telephone Operators salaries?

    The median Telephone Operators salary in Washington, DC-VA-MD-WV is 13.5% above the national median of $39,130. The national figure is from BLS OEWS 2025 data covering all US metropolitan areas.

    What is the entry-level salary for Telephone Operators in Washington?

    Entry-level Telephone Operators (10th percentile) earn around $36,400 per year in Washington, DC-VA-MD-WV. The 25th percentile — typically workers with 1–3 years of experience — earn approximately $39,130.