← All 785 jobsFile 43-2011
Switchboard Operators, Including Answering Service
Lightly edited
AI performs some of this work. Most of it still needs a person. The BLS expects 26% fewer of these jobs by 2035.
- Rank
- #214 of 785 jobs, by how much of the work AI does
- US jobs, 2025 to 2035
- -26% All jobs: +3.5%
- Median US pay
- $38,630 a year, 2025
- People doing it
- 35,400 in the US, with about 3,100 openings a year
The work, 19 activities
The job description, marked up.
Every activity in this job, the biggest first. Tap a line for the evidence.
- deleAI does this
- +AIAI helps
- stetStill yours
AI helps with this: Operate communications equipment or systems18%
People asked AI for help with this in about 1 in 1,650 conversations, and it got them there 86% of the time. In this job the work is hands-on, so AI can only assist.
AI does this: Provide information to guests, clients, or customers12%
AI performed this in about 1 in 9 Copilot conversations and completed it 87% of the time.
Still yours: Monitor safety or security of work areas, facilities, or properties8%
Barely appears in AI conversations: fewer than 1 in 2,000.
AI does this: Perform administrative or clerical activities6%
AI performed this in about 1 in 401 Copilot conversations and completed it 90% of the time.
AI helps with this: Assist others to access additional services or resources6%
People asked AI for help with this in about 1 in 139 conversations, and it got them there 86% of the time. In this job the work is hands-on, so AI can only assist.
AI helps with this: Provide general assistance to others, such as customers, patrons, or motorists6%
People asked AI for help with this in about 1 in 98 conversations, and it got them there 84% of the time. In this job the work is hands-on, so AI can only assist.
AI does this: Communicate with others about operational plans or activities6%
AI performed this in about 1 in 354 Copilot conversations and completed it 90% of the time.
Still yours: Operate audiovisual or related equipment4%
Barely appears in AI conversations: fewer than 1 in 2,000.
AI does this: Examine materials or documentation for accuracy or compliance4%
AI performed this in about 1 in 824 Copilot conversations and completed it 86% of the time.
Still yours: Reconcile financial data4%
Barely appears in AI conversations: fewer than 1 in 2,000.
Still yours: Collect fares or payments4%
Barely appears in AI conversations: fewer than 1 in 2,000.
AI helps with this: Maintain safety or security4%
People asked AI for help with this in about 1 in 1,066 conversations, and it got them there 93% of the time.
Still yours: Sort materials or products3%
Barely appears in AI conversations: fewer than 1 in 2,000.
AI does this: Respond to customer problems or inquiries3%
AI performed this in about 1 in 6 Copilot conversations and completed it 84% of the time.
Still yours: Schedule appointments3%
Barely appears in AI conversations: fewer than 1 in 2,000.
AI helps with this: Execute financial transactions3%
People asked AI for help with this in about 1 in 1,073 conversations, and it got them there 93% of the time.
Still yours: Maintain operational records2%
Barely appears in AI conversations: fewer than 1 in 2,000.
AI helps with this: Prepare documentation for contracts, applications, or permits2%
People asked AI for help with this in about 1 in 1,066 conversations, and it got them there 94% of the time.
AI helps with this: Purchase goods or services1%
People asked AI for help with this in about 1 in 214 conversations, and it got them there 91% of the time.
2025 to 2035
Ten years from now.
For every 100 of these jobs in 2025, the BLS projects 74 in 2035. Across all US jobs, about 104.
Even shrinking, it should still see about 3,100 openings a year as people retire or move on.
Nearby
Where your skills travel.
Jobs that share the most work with this one, where AI does less of it.
- Shares 38% of the workMedical Secretaries and Administrative Assistants17% AI does, against 31% here+4.8% by 2035 · $45,930 · High school diploma
- Shares 34% of the workFlight Attendants4% AI does, against 31% here+8.8% by 2035 · $63,580 · High school diploma
- Shares 33% of the workHosts and Hostesses, Restaurant, Lounge, and Coffee Shop14% AI does, against 31% here+3.4% by 2035 · $31,200 · No formal credential
The wire
On the wire.
Nothing filed about this job yet. The latest from the Work front:
How to read this file.
deleAI does this. In US Bing Copilot conversations from January to September 2024, AI itself performed the activity, completed it and made a real difference often enough to count.
+AIAI helps. People brought the activity to AI as their own goal, and it usually got them there.
stetStill yours. It barely shows up in AI use, AI rarely finishes it, or in this job it needs hands.
Shares are weighted by how much each activity matters in the job, using O*NET. Microsoft’s own AI applicability score for this job is 0.30, higher than 88% of jobs.
Doing an activity is not doing a job. The researchers behind this data warn against reading it as job loss, and so do we. It is US data; the shape of the work travels.
Sources: Microsoft Research, Working with AI (2025) · O*NET OnLine, 43-2011 · BLS Employment Projections 2025 to 2035
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