Call Center Operator Salary in the United States

How much does a Call Center Operator make in the United States?

As of July 01, 2026, the average salary for a Call Center Operator in the United States is $36,585 per year, which breaks down to an hourly rate of $18.

However, a Call Center Operator's salary can vary significantly. Here’s a look at the typical salary range:

  • Top Earners (90th percentile): $41,692
  • Majority Range (25th-75th percentile): $34,134 to $39,258
  • Entry-Level (10th percentile): $31,903
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View as table View as graph 25% $34,134 10% $31,903 90% $41,692 75% $39,258 $36,585 50%(Median) Didn’t find job title? Click

Call Center Operator Salaries by Percentile

Annual
Salary
Monthly
Pay
Weekly
Pay
Hourly
Wage
75th Percentile $39,258 $3,272 $755 $19
Average $36,585 $3,049 $704 $18
25th Percentile $34,134 $2,845 $656 $16
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Key Factors That Influence Call Center Operator Salaries

A Call Center Operator's salary isn't a fixed number. It's shaped by several important factors. Below, we'll explore how your years of experience, geographic location, education and company size can directly affect your earning potential.

How Experience Level Affects Call Center Operator Salaries?

Experience is a primary driver of a Call Center Operator's salary. As you build your skills and take on more complex tasks, your compensation generally increases. Here's how the average salary grows at different career stages:

  • Entry-Level (less than 1 year): $37,095
  • Early Career (1-2 years): $41,243
  • Mid-Level (2-4 years): $50,393
  • Senior-Level (5-8 years): $56,909
  • Expert (over 8 years): $63,143
Levels Salary
Call Cent... Level Call Center Operator$37,095
Contact C... Level Call Center Operator$41,243
Contact C... Level Call Center Operator$50,393
Contact C... Level Call Center Operator$56,909
Inbound C... Level Call Center Operator$63,143
$37,095 0 yr
$41,243 < 2 yrs
$50,393 2-4 yrs
$56,909 5-8 yrs
$63,143 > 8 yrs
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What Am I Worth?

How Do Call Center Operator Salaries Vary from State to State?

Your salary can change significantly depending on where you work. States with a higher cost of living and strong industrial sectors often pay more to attract Call Center Operators. For example, consider the average annual salaries in these key locations:

  • District of Columbia: $40,507.
  • California: $40,353.
  • Massachusetts: $39,815.

Top Paying Cities for Call Center Operators

Salaries can also vary between different cities. Major metropolitan areas or cities with a high demand for technicians often offer more competitive pay. Here are a few examples of average annual salaries in different U.S. cities:

  • San Jose: $46,144
  • San Francisco: $45,639
  • Oakland: $44,677

What Skills Can Increase a Call Center Operator's Salary?

Demanded Skills for the Role:

  • Customer Service (Mentioned in 18.96% Job Postings): Customer service is the provision of service to customers before, during and after a purchase. The perception of success of such interactions is dependent on employees "who can adjust themselves to the personality of the guest". Customer service concerns the priority an organization assigns to customer service relative to components such as product innovation and pricing. In this sense, an organization that values good customer service may spend more money in training employees than the average organization or may proactively interview customers for feedback. From the point of view of an overall sales process engineering effort, customer service plays an important role in an organization's ability to generate income and revenue. From that perspective, customer service should be included as part of an overall approach to systematic improvement. One good customer service experience can change the entire perception a customer holds towards the organization.
  • Microsoft Office (Mentioned in 1.77% Job Postings): Microsoft Office is a suite of desktop productivity applications that is designed by Microsoft for business use. You can create documents containing text and images, work with data in spreadsheets and databases, create presentations and posters.
  • Telemarketing (Mentioned in 1.17% Job Postings): Telemarketing (sometimes known as inside sales, or telesales in the UK and Ireland) is a method of direct marketing in which a salesperson solicits prospective customers to buy products or services, either over the phone or through a subsequent face to face or Web conferencing appointment scheduled during the call. Telemarketing can also include recorded sales pitches programmed to be played over the phone via automatic dialing. Telemarketing is defined as contacting, qualifying, and canvassing prospective customers using telecommunications devices such as telephone, fax, and internet. It does not include direct mail marketing.
See More Skills
Skills Demand Percentage
Customer Service 18.96%
Microsoft Office 1.77%
Telemarketing 1.17%
What skills can make your compensation higher?
Mastering certain specialized skills can lead to a significant increase in pay. Here are examples of skills and the potential impact they can have on a Call Center Operator's salary.
  • Coaching: Can increase your salary by up to 18%.
  • Leadership: Can increase your salary by up to 12%.
  • Commitment: Can increase your salary by up to 11%.
Skill Salary Salary % Increase
Coaching
$43,170
18%
Leadership
$40,975
12%
Commitment
$40,609
11%
Communicates Effectively
$38,780
6%
Billing
$38,780
6%
Verbal Communication
$38,048
4%
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Call Center Operator Salary by Industry: Top Paying Sectors

For Call Center Operator roles, the industry you choose can affect earning potential by as much as 38% (the gap between the highest and lowest paying industries). Data shows that the Aerospace & Defense and Business Services sectors offer the strongest compensation, at 20% above the average. In contrast, Call Center Operator positions in Biotechnology or Chemicals typically offer lower base pay, as these industries often view Call Center Operator as a support function rather than a direct revenue driver.

The top paying industries for a Call Center Operator

Industry Sector Average Annual Salary Average Hourly Rate Pay vs.Avg
Aerospace & Defense$43,902$21.020%
Business Services$42,072$20.015%
Construction$40,975$20.012%
Energy & Utilities$40,243$19.010%
Healthcare$39,511$19.08%

How Education impacts a Call Center Operator's Salary?

Your level of education can impact your salary potential. While many Call Center Operators enter the field with a High School Diploma or Technical Certificate degree, higher education can lead to more specialized and higher-paying roles.

According to our 100% employer-reported salary data, the median salary for a Call Center Operator with a High School Diploma or Technical Certificate is between $33,443 and $35,645).

Call Center Operator Salaries by Degree Level

Typical Education for Call Center Operator
Degree Level % of user with this level of education
No Diploma 2.8%
High School 48.1%
Associates 14.6%
Bachelors 30.8%
Masters 3.4%
Doctorate 0.3%
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Call Center Operator Salary: Hourly Rate, Weekly Pay, and Monthly Pay

Understanding how a Call Center Operator's annual salary breaks down can help with budgeting. Below, you can see the average hourly rate, weekly pay, and monthly pay for this role. Use the buttons to switch between different pay periods.

Last Updated on July 01, 2026

Salary Trends for Call Center Operator

Salaries for a Call Center Operator can change over time, reflecting shifts in market demand and the overall economy. The median salary decreased from $36,253 in 2023 to around $35,189 in 2025, reflecting changes in demand, location, experience, and the wider economy. For a detailed analysis of Call Center Operator salary trends, .

Average Annual Salary of Call Center Operator Over Time

2022
$???
2023
$36,253
2024
$35,641
2025
$35,189
2026
$???
2027
$???
Year Average Annual Salary
2022
View More
2023 $36,253
2024 $35,641
2025 $35,189
2026
View More
2027
View More

Most common benefits for Call Center Operator

Social Security
401(k)
Disability
Healthcare
Pension
Time Off (days)
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Common company salaries for Call Center Operator

Here are companies hiring for Call Center Operator and their salaries, click below for more details.

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Where Does Our Salary Data Come From?

Salary.com provides salary estimates, histograms, trends, and comparisons using data from employer job postings and third-party sources.

We offer detailed salary information across multiple percentiles for your reference. (Click here to learn Why the Salary Midpoint Formula Is Crucial for Achieving Pay Equity.)

With the most extensive online, real-time compensation data available, Salary.com helps you pinpoint your exact pay target.

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