NorthStar

Occupations/43-2011.00

Switchboard Operators, Including Answering Service

Operate telephone business systems equipment or switchboards to relay incoming, outgoing, and interoffice calls. May supply information to callers and record messages.

High school

Usually a high school diploma, plus some experience or short training.

AI automation risk

73%

Higher automation risk

Human characteristics

37%

Fewer uniquely human demands

Task orientation

64%

Higher automation risk

A day in this job

  • Mostly routine

    Operate communication systems, such as telephone, switchboard, intercom, two-way radio, or public address.

  • Mostly routine

    Monitor emergency and code alarms, make emergency announcements, or route emergency calls to the appropriate location.

  • Mostly routine

    Record messages, suggesting rewording for clarity or conciseness.

The tasks we can read here lean routine. That sits next to the AI risk rank — it is not a forecast that the job disappears.

Core tasks

  1. 01Operate communication systems, such as telephone, switchboard, intercom, two-way radio, or public address.
  2. 02Answer incoming calls, greeting callers, providing information, transferring calls or taking messages as necessary.
  3. 03Greet visitors, log them in and out of the facility, assign them security badges, and contact employee escorts.
  4. 04Monitor emergency and code alarms, make emergency announcements, or route emergency calls to the appropriate location.
  5. 05Record messages, suggesting rewording for clarity or conciseness.
  6. 06Page individuals to inform them of telephone calls, using paging or interoffice communication equipment.

Model drivers (O*NET 1–5)

  • Repeating same tasks3.58
  • Degree of automation2.31
  • Time sitting3.69
  • Originality (ability)2.00
  • Conflict situations3.59
  • Hands-on objects/tools2.92
  • Outdoors / weather1.30
  • Disease exposure1.67
  • Decision freedom3.71

Top abilities

  • Oral Expression4.12
  • Oral Comprehension4.12
  • Speech Recognition4.00
  • Speech Clarity4.00
  • Near Vision3.38
  • Selective Attention3.12
  • Written Expression3.00
  • Written Comprehension3.00

Essential skills

  • Reading Comprehension3.00
  • Active Listening4.00
  • Writing2.75
  • Speaking3.88
  • Mathematics1.88
  • Science1.00
  • Critical Thinking2.75
  • Active Learning2.50
  • Learning Strategies2.00
  • Monitoring2.88

CIP matches

99.9999NO MATCH

No schools in this geography

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