Communications Equipment Operators

Nature of the Work About this section

Most communications equipment operators work as switchboard operators or telephone operators for a wide variety of businesses. They may relay incoming, outgoing, and interoffice calls, or assist customers with clerical duties, such as offer directory information, take messages, greet and announce visitors or, in some cases, handle billing requests or emergency calls.

Education and Training About this section

Communications equipment operators generally receive informal on the job training, so a high school diploma is sufficient for most positions.

Job Outlook About this section

Current and Projected Employment.

2008 Employment 181,600
2018 Employment 163,400
Employment Change -18,200
Growth Rate -10%

Employment change. Employment of communications equipment operators is expected to decline rapidly due to new labor-saving communications technologies, such as voice recognition technology and internet directory assistance services. The movement of jobs to foreign countries, proliferation of cell phones, and consolidation of telephone operator jobs into fewer locations also will continue to negatively impact employment growth.

Job prospects. Despite declining employment, job prospects should be favorable as occupational turnover is expected to remain high.

Projections Data About this section

Projections data from the National Employment Matrix

Occupational Title

SOC Code

Employment, 2008

Projected
Employment, 2018

Change,
2008-18

Detailed Statistics

Number

Percent

Communications equipment operators

43-2000

181,600

163,400

-18,200

-10

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[XLS]

Switchboard operators, including answering service

43-2011

155,200

138,300

-16,900

-11

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[XLS]

Telephone operators

43-2021

22,700

21,900

-800

-4

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[XLS]

All other communications equipment operators

43-2099

3,600

3,200

-400

-12

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[XLS]

    NOTE: Data in this table are rounded. See the discussion of the employment projections table in the Handbook introductory chapter on Occupational Information Included in the Handbook.

Earnings About this section

Telephone operators $31,670
Switchboard operators, including answering service 24,220
Communications equipment operators, all other 35,050


Customer service representatives; Dispatchers, except police, fire, and ambulance; Hotel, motel, and resort desk clerks; Police, fire, and ambulance dispatchers; Receptionists and information clerks.

Sources of Additional Information About this section


Disclaimer:

Links to non-BLS Internet sites are provided for your convenience and do not constitute an endorsement.

For information on employment opportunities, contact companies in the industries that employ communications equipment operators.

O*NET-SOC Code Coverage About this section

Get more information from O*NET—the Occupational Information Network:

O*NET provides comprehensive information on key characteristics of workers and occupations. For information on a specific occupation, select the appropriate link below. For more information on O*NET, visit their homepage.


Suggested citation: Bureau of Labor Statistics, U.S. Department of Labor, Occupational Outlook Handbook, 2010-11 Edition, Communications Equipment Operators, on the Internet at http://www.bls.gov/oco/ocos154.htm (visited February 10, 2010).

 

Last Modified Date: December 17, 2009