SOC 43-2011 · Baltimore-Columbia-Towson, MD metro

Switchboard Operators, Including Answering Service Salary in Baltimore, MD

The average salary for switchboard operators, including answering service in Baltimore, Maryland is $38,370 a year ($18.45 an hour), according to BLS estimates for May 2025. The median is $36,260: half of the 340 people in this job in the Baltimore-Columbia-Towson, MD metro area earn more than that, half earn less. That average is 10% less than the U.S. metro average for this job ($42,858).

$38,370average per year

$18.45 / hourMedian $36,260Take-home ≈ $31,399

  • $32K10th
  • $32K25th
  • $36KMedian
  • $39K75th
  • $48K90th

median average · bar = middle 50% of workers

340people in this job
-10%vs U.S. metro average
104cost of living (U.S. = 100)
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Switchboard Operators, Including Answering Service pay range in Baltimore

New workers and the lowest-paid 10% earn about $31,990 a year or less, while the top 10% make $48,440 or more. The middle half of switchboard operators, including answering service in Baltimore earn between $31,990 and $38,760.

  • $32K10th
  • $32K25th
  • $36KMedian
  • $39K75th
  • $48K90th

median average · bar = middle 50% of workers

Pay levelPer yearPer monthPer hour*
Average$38,370$3,198$18.45
Median$36,260$3,022$17.43
Entry level (25th percentile)$31,990$2,666$15.38
Experienced (75th percentile)$38,760$3,230$18.63

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

Switchboard Operators, Including Answering Service salary after taxes in Baltimore

On the average salary of $38,370, a single filer in Baltimore takes home about $31,399 a year, or $2,617 a month and $1,208 every two weeks. Taxes take 18% of gross pay.

Single filer, standard deduction: federal income tax (2026 brackets), Social Security, Medicare and state income tax (2025 rules). Maryland's county income tax (2.25%–3.30%, charged in every county) is not included, so real take-home pay is lower.

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

Prices in the Baltimore area are 4% above the U.S. average (BEA price parity 104.5), so the average $38,370 buys what about $36,722 would buy in a typical U.S. metro. This job pays 0.6 times the median wage of all jobs in Baltimore ($59,070). A typical home costs $405,877, or 10.6 years of this average salary before tax.

See what $38,370 is worth in another city

Switchboard Operators, Including Answering Service salary in nearby metro areas

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 Baltimore: questions

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

$18.45 an hour on average, and $17.43 at the median (BLS, May 2025).

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

The lowest-paid 10% earn about $31,990 a year and the 25th percentile is $31,990, a fair guide to starting pay.

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

About $31,399 a year ($2,617 a month) for a single filer on the average salary of $38,370. Maryland's county income tax (2.25%–3.30%, charged in every county) is not included, so real take-home pay is lower.

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

The average here is 10% less than the U.S. metro average for this job ($42,858).

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 Baltimore-Columbia-Towson, MD (12580). Relative standard error of the mean wage: 7.6%.
  • 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 (2025 rules). Maryland's county income tax (2.25%–3.30%, charged in every county) is not included, so real take-home pay is lower.
  • Job concentration: location quotient 1.13, this job is about as common as in the U.S. overall.

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