NorthStar

Occupations/43-2021.00

Telephone Operators

Provide information by accessing alphabetical, geographical, or other directories. Assist customers with special billing requests, such as charges to a third party and credits or refunds for incorrectly dialed numbers or bad connections. May handle emergency calls and assist children or people with physical disabilities to make telephone calls.

High school

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

AI automation risk

81%

Higher automation risk

Human characteristics

36%

Fewer uniquely human demands

Task orientation

74%

Higher automation risk

A day in this job

  • Mostly human

    Listen to customer requests, referring to alphabetical or geographical directories to answer questions and provide telephone information.

  • Mostly routine

    Operate telephone switchboards and systems to advance and complete connections, including those for local, long distance, pay telephone, mobile, person-to-person, and emergency calls.

  • Mostly routine

    Perform clerical duties such as typing, proofreading, and sorting mail.

Split from the wording of these tasks, shown next to the occupation’s AI risk. It is not a separate score for each task, and it is not a forecast that the job disappears.

Core tasks

  1. 01Observe signal lights on switchboards, and dial or press buttons to make connections.
  2. 02Operate telephone switchboards and systems to advance and complete connections, including those for local, long distance, pay telephone, mobile, person-to-person, and emergency calls.
  3. 03Listen to customer requests, referring to alphabetical or geographical directories to answer questions and provide telephone information.
  4. 04Update directory information.
  5. 05Suggest and check alternate spellings, locations, or listing formats to customers lacking details or complete information.
  6. 06Perform clerical duties such as typing, proofreading, and sorting mail.

Model drivers (O*NET 1–5)

  • Repeating same tasks3.86
  • Degree of automation2.63
  • Time sitting3.82
  • Originality (ability)1.88
  • Conflict situations3.14
  • Hands-on objects/tools3.48
  • Outdoors / weather1.00
  • Disease exposure1.42
  • Decision freedom3.72

Top abilities

  • Oral Expression4.12
  • Speech Recognition4.00
  • Speech Clarity4.00
  • Oral Comprehension4.00
  • Written Comprehension3.00
  • Selective Attention3.00
  • Problem Sensitivity3.00
  • Near Vision3.00

Essential skills

  • Reading Comprehension3.00
  • Active Listening4.00
  • Writing2.25
  • Speaking4.00
  • Mathematics1.88
  • Science1.00
  • Critical Thinking3.00
  • Active Learning2.25
  • Learning Strategies2.00
  • Monitoring2.75

CIP matches

99.9999NO MATCH

No schools in this geography

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