SOC 43-2011 · Tuscaloosa, AL metro

Switchboard Operators, Including Answering Service Salary in Tuscaloosa, AL

The average salary for switchboard operators, including answering service in Tuscaloosa, Alabama is $34,310 a year ($16.49 an hour), according to BLS estimates for May 2025. The median is $32,210: half of the 40 people in this job in the Tuscaloosa, AL metro area earn more than that, half earn less. That average is 19% less than the U.S. average for this job ($42,300).

$34,310average per year

$16.49 / hourMedian $32,210Take-home ≈ $28,373

  • $28K10th
  • $32K25th
  • $32KMedian
  • $38K75th
  • $45K90th

median average · bar = middle 50% of workers · how to read it

40people in this job
-19%vs U.S. average
#3 of 6Alabama metros
88cost of living (U.S. = 100)
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Switchboard Operators, Including Answering Service pay range in Tuscaloosa

New workers and the lowest-paid 10% earn about $27,850 a year or less, while the top 10% make $44,910 or more. The middle half of switchboard operators, including answering service in Tuscaloosa earn between $31,840 and $38,260.

  • $28K10th
  • $32K25th
  • $32KMedian
  • $38K75th
  • $45K90th

median average · bar = middle 50% of workers · how to read it

Pay levelPer yearPer monthPer hour*
Average$34,310$2,859$16.50
Median$32,210$2,684$15.49
Entry level (25th percentile)$31,840$2,653$15.31
Experienced (75th percentile)$38,260$3,188$18.39

*Hourly figures assume 2,080 paid hours a year. Hourly to annual salary.

Switchboard Operators, Including Answering Service pay in Tuscaloosa vs. Alabama and the U.S.

Switchboard operators, including answering service in Tuscaloosa earn 4% more than the Alabama average ($32,860) and 19% less than the U.S. average ($42,300). At the median the gap is -17% against the U.S. median of $38,630.

AreaAverageMedian10th pct.90th pct.Jobs
Tuscaloosa$34,310$32,210$27,850$44,91040
Alabama$32,860$32,210$27,640$38,260680
United States$42,300$38,630$29,990$59,47034,280

State and U.S. rows: BLS statewide and national estimates, May 2025, which include rural areas.

Switchboard Operators, Including Answering Service salary after taxes in Tuscaloosa

On the average salary of $34,310, a single filer in Tuscaloosa takes home about $28,373 a year, or $2,364 a month and $1,091 every two weeks. Taxes take 17% of gross pay.

Single filer, standard deduction: federal income tax (2026 brackets), Social Security, Medicare and state income tax (2026 rules). City occupational taxes (for example in Birmingham and Gadsden) are not included.

Alabama paycheck calculator: try your own salary

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Is Tuscaloosa a good place for switchboard operators, including answering service? Pay vs. cost of living

Prices in the Tuscaloosa area are 12% below the U.S. average (BEA price parity 87.7), so the average $34,310 buys what about $39,112 would buy in a typical U.S. metro. This job pays 0.7 times the median wage of all jobs in Tuscaloosa ($45,220). A typical home costs $223,201, or 6.5 years of this average salary before tax.

See what $34,310 is worth in another city

Switchboard Operators, Including Answering Service salary in other Alabama cities

Tuscaloosa ranks 3rd of 6 Alabama metro areas for this job; Huntsville pays the most ($35,210).

All Switchboard Operators, Including Answering Service salaries in Alabama

Highest-paying cities for switchboard operators, including answering service

San Jose, CA pays this job the most of the metro areas we cover ($73,450).

Switchboard Operators, Including Answering Service salary by city

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Switchboard Operators, Including Answering Service salary in Tuscaloosa: questions

How much do switchboard operators, including answering service make an hour in Tuscaloosa?

$16.49 an hour on average, and $15.48 at the median (BLS, May 2025).

What is the entry-level switchboard operators, including answering service salary in Tuscaloosa?

The lowest-paid 10% earn about $27,850 a year and the 25th percentile is $31,840, a fair guide to starting pay.

What is the switchboard operators, including answering service take-home pay in Tuscaloosa?

About $28,373 a year ($2,364 a month) for a single filer on the average salary of $34,310. City occupational taxes (for example in Birmingham and Gadsden) are not included.

Do switchboard operators, including answering service earn more in Tuscaloosa than elsewhere?

The average here is 19% less than the U.S. average for this job ($42,300).

Sources and how to read this page

  • Wages: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), May 2025 estimates for metropolitan areas. SOC code 43-2011; area Tuscaloosa, AL (46220). Relative standard error of the mean wage: 2.2%.
  • U.S. and statewide figures: BLS OEWS national and state estimates, May 2025, every employer including rural areas.
  • Cost of living: Bureau of Economic Analysis regional price parities (RPP), 2024; 100 = U.S. average.
  • Home value: Zillow Home Value Index. Typical-wage figure: OEWS all occupations, same metro.
  • Take-home pay: Single filer, standard deduction: federal income tax (2026 brackets), Social Security, Medicare and state income tax (2026 rules). City occupational taxes (for example in Birmingham and Gadsden) are not included.
  • Job concentration: location quotient 1.54, this job is 1.5 times as concentrated as in the U.S. overall.

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