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What is a phone operator and how to become one
A phone operator helps clients by transferring calls, answering questions, and providing information. They attend to customer requests, using alphabetical or geographical directories to answer questions. They assist people with physical disabilities or people who are in emergencies to make calls. Similarly, they help clients with special billing requests. Asides from that, they operate phone switchboards and systems to aid complete connections. Phone operators may perform clerical duties, which include typing, sorting mail, and updating directory information. They operate paging systems or other systems of bells or buzzers to notify recipients of incoming calls. They promote company products, services, and savings plans.
A high school diploma or its equivalent is the minimum academic requirement for phone operators. You can find employment in business firms, answering services, schools, hospitals, and public offices. You must possess communication, patience, and maths skills. Phone operators earn an average salary of $30,829 per year. This ranges between $21,000 and $44,000.
Avg. Salary $30,289
Avg. Salary $59,228
Growth Rate -4%
Growth Rate 0.3%
American Indian and Alaska Native 1.19%
Asian 3.23%
Black or African American 14.34%
Hispanic or Latino 18.14%
Unknown 3.58%
White 59.51%
Genderfemale 77.34%
male 22.66%
Age - 57American Indian and Alaska Native 3.00%
Asian 7.00%
Black or African American 14.00%
Hispanic or Latino 19.00%
White 57.00%
Genderfemale 47.00%
male 53.00%
Age - 57Stress level is high
7.1 - high
Complexity Level is challenging
7 - challenging
Work Life balance is excellent
6.4 - fair
Phone Operator career paths
Key steps to become a phone operator
Explore phone operator education requirements
Start to develop specific phone operator skills
Skills 
Percentages Patients 15.34% Customer Service 14.90% Phone Calls 13.02% Telephone Calls 8.71% Front Desk 3.90% Complete relevant phone operator training and internships
Accountants spend an average of Less than 1 month on post-employment, on-the-job training. New phone operators learn the skills and techniques required for their job and employer during this time. The chart below shows how long it takes to gain competency as a phone operator based on U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics data and data from real phone operator resumes.Research phone operator duties and responsibilities
- Manage incoming calls from patients and medical professionals by utilizing telephonic paging system and manual messaging.
- Answer phone calls for att and directv
- Up sell customers to DirecTV bundles as well as internet, cell phone service, long distance and home phone service.
- Illistrate confidentiality of veterans when discussing concerns as it relate to medical treatments in compliance with HIPPA regulations.
Prepare your phone operator resume
When your background is strong enough, you can start writing your phone operator resume.
You can use Zippia's AI resume builder to make the resume writing process easier while also making sure that you include key information that hiring managers expect to see on a phone operator resume. You'll find resume tips and examples of skills, responsibilities, and summaries, all provided by Zippi, your career sidekick.
Choose From 10+ Customizable Phone Operator Resume templates
Build a professional Phone Operator resume in minutes. Browse through our resume examples to identify the best way to word your resume. Then choose from 10+ resume templates to create your Phone Operator resume.
Apply for phone operator jobs
Now it's time to start searching for a phone operator job. Consider the tips below for a successful job search:
- Browse job boards for relevant postings
- Consult your professional network
- Reach out to companies you're interested in working for directly
- Watch out for job scams
How Did You Land Your First Phone Operator Job
Are you a Phone Operator?
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Average phone operator salary
The average Phone Operator salary in the United States is $30,289 per year or $15 per hour. Phone operator salaries range between $25,000 and $36,000 per year.
What Am I Worth?
How do phone operators rate their job?
Phone Operator reviews
Being able to help people in need create clear and accurate communication
Isolation I guess which I anyway understand needed to effectively perform duties and responsibilities.
I like building relations with other companies, keeping customers satisfied and growing in all areas,
Non caring employer's , standing on my feet all day, working weekends, low pay
Updated January 8, 2025
