Telephone operators
SOC Code: 43-2021
Telephone operators carries a 52% AI exposure score (High automation risk), with a median annual wage of $39,130 and -27.5% projected employment growth from 2024 to 2034 (BLS), affecting approximately 4,000 workers. Full task breakdown, skills, and employer data are below.
Proportion of tasks susceptible to AI automation (O*NET analysis)
AI Exposure vs Industry Growth
Total occupations tracked
832
Covering all SOC major groups
Data currency
2024
BLS Employment Projections
AI exposure avg
40%
Fleet-wide median across all roles
Composite score weighing O*NET task data completeness, BLS projection methodology, and cross-validation with employer risk grades.
Employment Projections
Occupation Insight
Telephone operators (SOC 43-2021) carries an AI exposure score of 52%, placing it in the High automation-risk tier. This score is computed from O*NET Database 30.0 task-level analysis, where each task an occupation performs is evaluated against current generative AI, robotic process automation, and machine-learning capabilities. A score in the 40–70% range indicates meaningful automation pressure on specific task categories, but the role as a whole still requires human judgment for coordination, exception handling, or client interaction.
The economic context matters alongside the risk score. BLS counted approximately 4,000 workers in this occupation in 2024, and projects a -27.5% change through 2034 — a decline that often compounds with high AI exposure to create displacement headwinds. Median annual compensation stands at $39,130, reflecting both skill scarcity and the value employers place on the tasks that remain difficult to automate. Entry typically requires High school diploma or equivalent, plus None of related experience.
For career planners, this profile should be read alongside the task, skill, and knowledge breakdowns below and the list of employers whose workforce composition includes Telephone operators. Adjacent occupations shown further down offer lateral moves that preserve industry knowledge while potentially reducing exposure. Pair the AI exposure score with the BLS employment projection and wage percentiles above for a complete career assessment.
Education & Entry Requirements
Top Tasks (O*NET)
- 1. Observe signal lights on switchboards, and dial or press buttons to make connections.
- 2. Operate paging systems or other systems of bells or buzzers to notify recipients of incoming calls.
- 3. Operate telephone switchboards and systems to advance and complete connections, including those for local, long distance, pay telephone, mobile, person-to-person, and emergency calls.
- 4. Listen to customer requests, referring to alphabetical or geographical directories to answer questions and provide telephone information.
- 5. Monitor automated systems for placing collect calls and intervene for a callers needing assistance.
- 6. Update directory information.
- 7. Suggest and check alternate spellings, locations, or listing formats to customers lacking details or complete information.
- 8. Perform clerical duties such as typing, proofreading, and sorting mail.
- 9. Offer special assistance to persons such as those who are unable to dial or who are in emergency situations.
- 10. Interrupt busy lines if an emergency warrants.
Key Skills Required
- Active Listening
- Speaking
- Service Orientation
- Social Perceptiveness
- Reading Comprehension
- Critical Thinking
- Monitoring
- Complex Problem Solving
- Coordination
- Time Management
Knowledge Areas
- Customer and Personal Service
- Telecommunications
- Administrative
- English Language
- Computers and Electronics
- Administration and Management
- Public Safety and Security
- Education and Training
- Personnel and Human Resources
- Communications and Media
Frequently Asked Questions
Will AI replace Telephone operators?
Telephone operators has an AI exposure score of 52%, indicating a high level of automation risk. Some tasks in this role can be augmented or partially automated by AI, but core responsibilities require human judgment.
What is the job outlook for Telephone operators?
According to BLS Employment Projections 2024-2034, Telephone operators is projected to decline by 27.5% over the decade. Current employment stands at approximately 4,000 workers.
What skills are needed for Telephone operators?
Key skills for Telephone operators include Active Listening, Speaking, Service Orientation, and others. Typical entry-level education is High school diploma or equivalent.
How much do Telephone operators earn?
The median annual wage for Telephone operators is $39,130, according to BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (May 2024). Actual earnings vary by location, experience, industry, and employer. The BLS publishes detailed wage percentiles by region in its Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics program.
What education is required for Telephone operators?
The typical entry-level education for Telephone operators is High school diploma or equivalent. Employers generally expect None of related work experience. On-the-job training typically involves Short-term on-the-job training. Requirements can vary by employer and specialization.
Which companies employ Telephone operators?
Telephone operators roles exist across many industries and employers. Workforce composition is estimated from BLS industry-occupation employment distributions matched to SEC-registered public companies.
AI Exposure Rating
High automation risk based on 10 analyzed tasks. A moderate share of tasks may be augmented by AI tools.
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Data sources: Bureau of Labor Statistics Employment Projections 2024–2034 and O*NET Database 30.0. Employment figures are rounded. Wage data from BLS Occupational Employment Statistics (OES).