As of June 2026, Telephone Operators has an AI-exposure score of 77/100 (Very High exposure) on the AI-Safe Careers index, blending O*NET tasks, the Anthropic Economic Index, the Penn/OpenAI study, and BLS data. This is an estimate of task exposure, not a prediction of job loss.
Telephone Operators
More exposed than 97% of the roles we track. Median pay ~US$41,740. About 300 projected openings a year (BLS 2024–34 — growth plus replacement).
Pay & demand figures are US medians (BLS, in USD) — your local figures will differ. Your exposure score applies broadly.
How you compare to similar Administrative roles
Your tasks, by AI exposure
- Listen to customer requests, referring to alphabetical or geographical directories to answer questions and provide telephone information.
- Suggest and check alternate spellings, locations, or listing formats to customers lacking details or complete information.
- Perform clerical duties such as typing, proofreading, and sorting mail.
- Keep records of calls placed and received, and of related toll charges.
- Update directory information.
- Provide assistance for customers with special billing requests.
- 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.
- Offer special assistance to persons such as those who are unable to dial or who are in emergency situations.
- Provide relay service for users who are deaf or hard of hearing.
- Observe signal lights on switchboards, and dial or press buttons to make connections.
- Operate paging systems or other systems of bells or buzzers to notify recipients of incoming calls.
- Monitor automated systems for placing collect calls and intervene for a callers needing assistance.
- Interrupt busy lines if an emergency warrants.
- Promote company products, services, and savings plans when appropriate.
No augmentable tasks identified for this role — its real, individually-assessed tasks consistently read as automatable (100%).
No durable tasks identified for this role — its real, individually-assessed tasks consistently read as automatable (100%).
Safer adjacent roles
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AI was the most-cited reason for U.S. layoffs through mid-2026 — the workers who adapt earliest fare best. — Challenger, Gray & Christmas, 2026The upside: Workers with AI skills earn a roughly 62% wage premium — adapting pays. — PwC Global AI Jobs Barometer, 2026
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