Switchboard Operators, Including Answering Service

Switchboard Operators, Including Answering Service score 63 out of 100, which is high exposure to AI. That ranks #80 of 923 US occupations, where #1 is the most exposed. Of the 19 tasks in this job, AI could speed up 10 on its own and 4 more with extra software built on top of it. In April–May 2026, 5 of these tasks showed up in real conversations with Claude, Anthropic's AI assistant.

63/ 100

High

Rank: #80of 923 jobs
US workers: 34,280BLS, May 2025
Median pay: $38,630a year
In real AI use: 5 of 19tasks, April–May 2026

Task by task

Each task this job involves, as listed by O*NET, rated on whether a large language model like GPT-4 could cut the time it takes by at least half at the same quality. Tasks marked Seen in real AI use appeared in conversations with Claude in April–May 2026 (Anthropic Economic Index).

AI can speed this up on its own: 10 (53%)
AI can speed this up with extra software: 4 (21%)
Little or no AI speed-up: 5 (26%)

Operate communication systems, such as telephone, switchboard, intercom, two-way radio, or public address.AI can speed this up on its own · core task
Record messages, suggesting rewording for clarity or conciseness.AI can speed this up on its own · core task
Page individuals to inform them of telephone calls, using paging or interoffice communication equipment.AI can speed this up on its own · core task
Relay or route written or verbal messages.AI can speed this up on its own · core task · Seen in real AI use
Place telephone calls or arrange conference calls as instructed.AI can speed this up on its own · core task
Perform various data entry or word processing tasks, such as updating phone directories, typing or proofreading documents, or creating schedules.AI can speed this up on its own · core task · Seen in real AI use
Complete forms for sales orders.AI can speed this up on its own · supplemental task
Answer simple questions about clients' businesses, using reference files.AI can speed this up on its own · supplemental task · Seen in real AI use
Stamp messages with time and date and file them appropriately.AI can speed this up on its own · supplemental task
Keep records of calls placed and charges incurred.AI can speed this up on its own · supplemental task
Answer incoming calls, greeting callers, providing information, transferring calls or taking messages as necessary.AI can speed this up with extra software · core task · Seen in real AI use
Monitor emergency and code alarms, make emergency announcements, or route emergency calls to the appropriate location.AI can speed this up with extra software · core task
Perform administrative tasks, such as accepting orders, scheduling appointments or meeting rooms, or sending and receiving faxes.AI can speed this up with extra software · core task · Seen in real AI use
Place orders, such as for equipment, supplies, or catering for meetings.AI can speed this up with extra software · supplemental task
Greet visitors, log them in and out of the facility, assign them security badges, and contact employee escorts.Little or no AI speed-up · core task
Perform various cash handling tasks, such as collecting payments, making bank deposits, or managing petty cash.Little or no AI speed-up · core task
Process incoming or outgoing mail, packages, or deliveries.Little or no AI speed-up · core task
Monitor alarm systems to ensure that secure conditions are maintained.Little or no AI speed-up · supplemental task
Contact security staff members when necessary, using radio-telephones.Little or no AI speed-up · supplemental task

Similar jobs, lower exposure

Related occupations that score at least 10 points lower.

Other jobs in this field

Office and Administrative Support occupations close to this one.

Telephone Operators89

Questions about switchboard operators, including answering service and AI

Will AI replace switchboard operators, including answering service?

Probably not entirely, but the job is likely to change a lot. Switchboard Operators, Including Answering Service score 63 out of 100 (high exposure), #80 of 923 US jobs. AI could speed up 14 of the job's 19 tasks, 10 of them on its own, while 5 see little or no speed-up. Exposure means the work is likely to change, not that the job will disappear.

Which switchboard operators, including answering service tasks can AI do?

The most exposed tasks include "Operate communication systems, such as telephone, switchboard, intercom, two-way radio, or public address"; "Record messages, suggesting rewording for clarity or conciseness"; "Page individuals to inform them of telephone calls, using paging or interoffice communication equipment".

Which switchboard operators, including answering service tasks are hardest for AI?

Tasks with little or no AI speed-up include "Greet visitors, log them in and out of the facility, assign them security badges, and contact employee escorts"; "Perform various cash handling tasks, such as collecting payments, making bank deposits, or managing petty cash"; "Process incoming or outgoing mail, packages, or deliveries".

Are people already using AI for this work?

Yes. In April–May 2026, 5 of the 19 tasks showed up in real conversations with Claude, according to the Anthropic Economic Index.

How many people work as switchboard operators, including answering service, and what do they earn?

About 34,280 people in the US, with median pay of $38,630 a year (BLS, May 2025).

How to read this score. Exposure measures how much of the work AI could speed up, not whether the job will disappear. A highly exposed job can change shape, with people spending less time on routine tasks and more on the rest. The score counts tasks AI can speed up on its own in full, and tasks that need extra software at half weight.

The ratings come from published research based on GPT-4 (2023). To show what's happening now, each task is also checked against the latest Anthropic Economic Index, which records which tasks people actually use AI for. That data is refreshed automatically when Anthropic publishes a new release. Read the full method.

Switchboard Operators, Including Answering Service

Task by task

Similar jobs, lower exposure

Other jobs in this field

Questions about switchboard operators, including answering service and AI

Know what's changing before it reaches your job.