Jobs Similar to Switchboard Operators
Also called: Switchboard Operators
The careers below use the most similar skills, knowledge and work activities to switchboard operators, according to O*NET 31.0. The closest are Telephone Operators, Office Clerks and Receptionists and Information Clerks.
Switchboard Operators: $38,630 median pay · usual preparation: High school.
Updated October 2026 · Data: O*NET 31.0 and BLS OEWS May 2025 · How we match careers
The 20 most similar careers
| # | Career | Similarity | Median pay (vs. Switchboard Operators) | Usual preparation |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Telephone OperatorsSame group | 82% | $41,740+8% | High school |
| 2 | Office Clerks, General | 82% | $45,010+17% | High school |
| 3 | Receptionists and Information Clerks | 81% | $38,010−2% | High school |
| 4 | Secretaries and Administrative Assistants, Except Legal, Medical, and Executive | 80% | $47,540+23% | High school |
| 5 | Word Processors and Typists | 80% | $49,280+28% | High school |
| 6 | Cashiers | 80% | $32,880−15% | High school |
| 7 | Hotel, Motel, and Resort Desk Clerks | 80% | $35,070−9% | High school |
| 8 | File Clerks | 79% | $43,600+13% | High school |
| 9 | Insurance Claims and Policy Processing Clerks | 79% | $49,230+27% | High school |
| 10 | Billing and Posting Clerks | 78% | $48,500+26% | High school |
| 11 | Public Safety Telecommunicators | 78% | $53,040+37% | High school |
| 12 | Court, Municipal, and License Clerks | 78% | $48,700+26% | High school |
| 13 | Eligibility Interviewers, Government Programs | 78% | $54,210+40% | Training or associate |
| 14 | Tellers | 78% | $43,030+11% | High school |
| 15 | Human Resources Assistants, Except Payroll and Timekeeping | 78% | $50,610+31% | Training or associate |
| 16 | Correspondence Clerks | 77% | $46,800+21% | High school |
| 17 | Gambling Cage Workers | 77% | $37,580−3% | High school |
| 18 | Pharmacy Aides | 77% | $37,680−2% | High school |
| 19 | Postal Service Clerks | 77% | $62,130+61% | High school |
| 20 | Bill and Account Collectors | 77% | $47,030+22% | High school |
- 1Telephone Operators
82% similar · $41,740 (+8%) · High school · Same group
- 2Office Clerks, General
82% similar · $45,010 (+17%) · High school
- 3Receptionists and Information Clerks
81% similar · $38,010 (−2%) · High school
- 4Secretaries and Administrative Assistants, Except Legal, Medical, and Executive
80% similar · $47,540 (+23%) · High school
- 5Word Processors and Typists
80% similar · $49,280 (+28%) · High school
- 6Cashiers
80% similar · $32,880 (−15%) · High school
- 7Hotel, Motel, and Resort Desk Clerks
80% similar · $35,070 (−9%) · High school
- 8File Clerks
79% similar · $43,600 (+13%) · High school
- 9Insurance Claims and Policy Processing Clerks
79% similar · $49,230 (+27%) · High school
- 10Billing and Posting Clerks
78% similar · $48,500 (+26%) · High school
- 11Public Safety Telecommunicators
78% similar · $53,040 (+37%) · High school
- 12Court, Municipal, and License Clerks
78% similar · $48,700 (+26%) · High school
- 13Eligibility Interviewers, Government Programs
78% similar · $54,210 (+40%) · Training or associate
- 14Tellers
78% similar · $43,030 (+11%) · High school
- 15Human Resources Assistants, Except Payroll and Timekeeping
78% similar · $50,610 (+31%) · Training or associate
- 16Correspondence Clerks
77% similar · $46,800 (+21%) · High school
- 17Gambling Cage Workers
77% similar · $37,580 (−3%) · High school
- 18Pharmacy Aides
77% similar · $37,680 (−2%) · High school
- 19Postal Service Clerks
77% similar · $62,130 (+61%) · High school
- 20Bill and Account Collectors
77% similar · $47,030 (+22%) · High school
Similarity: weighted correlation of O*NET 31.0 transferable skills (35%), knowledge (25%), work activities (15%) and interests (15%). Pay and schooling do not change it. Pay change compares BLS May 2025 national medians; careers with only a broader BLS group wage are not compared. “Same group”: the same BLS occupation group (SOC minor group). Methodology
Similar jobs that pay more
Only careers that usually need no more preparation than switchboard operators.
- Postal Service Clerks77% similar · $62,130 (+61%)
- Public Safety Telecommunicators78% similar · $53,040 (+37%)
- Word Processors and Typists80% similar · $49,280 (+28%)
- Insurance Claims and Policy Processing Clerks79% similar · $49,230 (+27%)
- Billing and Posting Clerks78% similar · $48,500 (+26%)
- Court, Municipal, and License Clerks78% similar · $48,700 (+26%)
Thinking of a career change?
Similar is not the same as a good next step. Our career-change list for switchboard operators also weighs pay drops and extra schooling, and puts jobs outside the field first.
Jobs that can lead here
Careers where switchboard operators is one of the best career-change matches (match score in brackets).
- Receptionists and Information Clerks (91)
- Office Clerks, General (86)
- Cashiers (80)
- Hotel, Motel, and Resort Desk Clerks (80)
- File Clerks (79)
- Secretaries and Administrative Assistants, Except Legal, Medical, and Executive (79)
- Public Safety Telecommunicators (78)
- Tellers (78)
- Data Entry Keyers (77)
- Gambling Cage Workers (77)
Questions about jobs like switchboard operators
What jobs are most similar to switchboard operators?
By O*NET 31.0 data, the closest are Telephone Operators (82% similar), Office Clerks (82% similar), Receptionists and Information Clerks (81% similar), Secretaries and Administrative Assistants, Except Legal, Medical, and Executive (80% similar) and Word Processors and Typists (80% similar).
Which jobs like switchboard operators pay more?
Among the 20 most similar careers, Postal Service Clerks ($62,130, +61%; usually a high school diploma), Eligibility Interviewers ($54,210, +40%; usually training or an associate degree) and Public Safety Telecommunicators ($53,040, +37%; usually a high school diploma) have the highest BLS median pay compared with switchboard operators ($38,630). Without more preparation than switchboard operators usually need: Postal Service Clerks, Public Safety Telecommunicators and Word Processors and Typists.
How is the similarity percentage worked out?
We compare how important each transferable skill, knowledge area, work activity and interest area is in both jobs (O*NET 31.0 ratings) with a weighted correlation. 100% would mean the same profile. Unlike our career-change matches, pay and extra schooling do not lower the similarity on this page.