What they do
Operate telephone business systems equipment or switchboards to relay incoming, outgoing, and interoffice calls. May supply information to callers and record messages.
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Also called: |
CBX Operator (Computerized Branch Exchange Operator), Central Communications Specialist, Communications Operator, Communications Specialist, Information Specialist, PBX Operator (Private Branch Exchange Operator), Switchboard Operator (SB Operator), Switchboard Receptionist (SB Receptionist), Telecommunications Clerk, Telecommunications Operator
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Wages
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Vermont - 2023 |
Percentile1 | Hourly | Yearly |
10% |
$ 14.24 |
$29,620 |
25% |
$ 18.04 |
$37,530 |
Median |
$ 18.21 |
$37,880 |
75% |
$ 18.81 |
$39,120 |
90% |
$ 20.15 |
$41,920 |
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Average |
$ 17.97 |
$37,380 |
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Industries of Employment
United States - 2022 |
Industry | Percent of total |
- Hospitals; state, local, and private
| 27% |
- Administrative and support services
| 27% |
- Ambulatory healthcare services
| 16% |
| 4% |
- Professional, scientific, and technical services
| 4% |
More at BLS |
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Knowledge
People in this career often know a lot about: |
- Customer and Personal Service
Knowledge of principles and processes for providing customer and personal services. This includes customer needs assessment, meeting quality standards for services, and evaluation of customer satisfaction.
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- English Language
Knowledge of the structure and content of the English language including the meaning and spelling of words, rules of composition, and grammar.
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- Administrative
Knowledge of administrative and office procedures and systems such as word processing, managing files and records, stenography and transcription, designing forms, and workplace terminology.
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- Computers and Electronics
Knowledge of circuit boards, processors, chips, electronic equipment, and computer hardware and software, including applications and programming.
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- Telecommunications
Knowledge of transmission, broadcasting, switching, control, and operation of telecommunications systems.
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Skills
People in this career often have these skills: |
- Active Listening
Giving full attention to what other people are saying, taking time to understand the points being made, asking questions as appropriate, and not interrupting at inappropriate times.
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- Speaking
Talking to others to convey information effectively.
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- Social Perceptiveness
Being aware of others' reactions and understanding why they react as they do.
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- Service Orientation
Actively looking for ways to help people.
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- Coordination
Adjusting actions in relation to others' actions.
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Interests
People in this career often prefer these work environments: |
- Conventional
Work involves following procedures and regulations to organize information or data, typically in a business setting. Conventional occupations are often associated with office work, accounting, mathematics/statistics, information technology, finance, or human resources.
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- Realistic
Work involves designing, building, or repairing of equipment, materials, or structures, engaging in physical activity, or working outdoors. Realistic occupations are often associated with engineering, mechanics and electronics, construction, woodworking, transportation, machine operation, agriculture, animal services, physical or manual labor, athletics, or protective services.
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- Enterprising
Work involves managing, negotiating, marketing, or selling, typically in a business setting, or leading or advising people in political and legal situations. Enterprising occupations are often associated with business initiatives, sales, marketing/advertising, finance, management/administration, professional advising, public speaking, politics, or law.
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What are your interests? Take the O*NET Interest Profiler |
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Work Styles
People in this career will do well at jobs that need: |
- Dependability
Job requires being reliable, responsible, and dependable, and fulfilling obligations.
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- Self-Control
Job requires maintaining composure, keeping emotions in check, controlling anger, and avoiding aggressive behavior, even in very difficult situations.
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- Stress Tolerance
Job requires accepting criticism and dealing calmly and effectively with high-stress situations.
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- Attention to Detail
Job requires being careful about detail and thorough in completing work tasks.
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- Integrity
Job requires being honest and ethical.
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More at O*NET |
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Tasks
On the job, you would: |
- Operate communication systems, such as telephone, switchboard, intercom, two-way radio, or public address.
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- Answer incoming calls, greeting callers, providing information, transferring calls or taking messages as necessary.
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- Greet visitors, log them in and out of the facility, assign them security badges, and contact employee escorts.
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- Monitor emergency and code alarms, make emergency announcements, or route emergency calls to the appropriate location.
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- Record messages, suggesting rewording for clarity or conciseness.
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More at O*NET |
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Related Occupations
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Projected Employment
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Vermont |
2022 employment |
81 |
2032 employment |
62 |
Annual percent change (compounded) |
-2.6% |
Annual projected job openings (due to change and separations) |
5 |
More at Occupational Projections |
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Education and Experience:
- Typical education needed for entry
High school diploma or equivalent
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- Work experience in a related occupation
None
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- Typical on-the-job training needed to attain competency
Short-term on-the-job training
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Based on BLS Education and Training Classifications |
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Physical Work Activity
Performing physical activities that require considerable use of your arms and legs and moving your whole body, such as climbing, lifting, balancing, walking, stooping, and handling materials. |
- Physical activity is Seldom Important
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- Level of activity is Very Low
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Low | | High |
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Compare Occupations at O*NET |
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Job Zone
Some Preparation Needed |
- Specific Vocational Preparation Range
(4.0 to < 6.0) - A typical worker will require
over 3 months up to and including 1 year
of training to achieve average performance in this occupation.
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Based on O*Net Job Zones and SVP |
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Education Level
How much education do most people in this career have? |
Education level | | Percent of U.S. Workers |
Doctoral or professional degree or post-MA certificate | | 0% |
Master's degree or post-BA certificate | | 3% |
Bachelor's degree | | 0% |
Associate's degree | | 1% |
Certificate or some college, no degree | | 7% |
High school diploma or equivalent | | 89% |
Less than high school diploma | | 1% |
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Abilities
People in this career often have talent in: |
- Oral Comprehension
The ability to listen to and understand information and ideas presented through spoken words and sentences.
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- Oral Expression
The ability to communicate information and ideas in speaking so others will understand.
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- Speech Clarity
The ability to speak clearly so others can understand you.
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- Speech Recognition
The ability to identify and understand the speech of another person.
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- Near Vision
The ability to see details at close range (within a few feet of the observer).
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More at O*NET |
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Work Activities
In general, what you might do: |
- Getting Information
Observing, receiving, and otherwise obtaining information from all relevant sources.
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- Identifying Objects, Actions, and Events
Identifying information by categorizing, estimating, recognizing differences or similarities, and detecting changes in circumstances or events.
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- Communicating with Supervisors, Peers, or Subordinates
Providing information to supervisors, co-workers, and subordinates by telephone, in written form, e-mail, or in person.
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- Performing for or Working Directly with the Public
Performing for people or dealing directly with the public. This includes serving customers in restaurants and stores, and receiving clients or guests.
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- Working with Computers
Using computers and computer systems (including hardware and software) to program, write software, set up functions, enter data, or process information.
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More at O*NET |
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Detailed Work Activities
What you might do in a day: |
- Operate communications equipment or systems.
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- Answer telephones to direct calls or provide information.
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- Greet customers, patrons, or visitors.
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- Refer customers to appropriate personnel.
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More at O*NET |
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Other Resources
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- CareerOneStop
resource for job seekers, students, businessess and career professionals
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- O*NET Online
nation's primary source of occupational information
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