Telephone Operator salary
Updated Updated for 2026 tax law
A telephone operator earns a median of $41,740 a year ($20.07 an hour) in the US, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (May 2025). The average is $44,970. About 3,430 people work in this job.
Take-home pay on $41,740
- Gross pay
- $1,605.38
- Federal income tax
- −$108.80
- Social Security (6.2%)
- −$99.53
- Medicare (1.45%)
- −$23.28
- Texas income tax
- $0.00No state income tax on wages
- Take-home pay
- $1,373.77
Annual breakdown
- Gross
- $41,740
- Federal
- $2,829
- FICA
- $3,193
- State + local
- $0
- Net
- $35,718
- Marginal federal rate
- 12.0%
- Marginal state rate
- 0.0%
2026 federal brackets (Rev. Proc. 2025-32) and 2026 state rules. Estimates assume wages are your only income and use annual liability, so your actual withholding can differ slightly.
Similar jobs
- Data Entry Keyer: $41,340
- Office Machine Operator: $40,960
- Teller: $43,030
- File Clerk: $43,600
- Mail Clerk and Mail Machine Operator: $39,280
- Courier and Messenger: $39,200
- Reservation and Transportation Ticket Agent and Travel Clerk: $44,390
- Customer Service Representative: $44,770
BLS occupation: Telephone Operators. Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025 (SOC 43-2021). Excludes the self-employed.
Frequently asked questions
How much does a telephone operator make an hour?
The median hourly wage is $20.07; the average is $21.62.
What is the salary range for a telephone operator?
The bottom 10% earn under $31,510 and the top 10% earn over $62,950 a year.
How much is $41,740 after taxes?
About $35,718 a year in Texas (no state income tax) or $34,523 in California for a single filer in 2026.
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Estimates for information only — not tax, legal or financial advice.