[Core] [56% incumbents] Update directory information.
  DWAs: Enter information into databases or software programs.

[Core] [55% incumbents] Observe signal lights on switchboards, and dial or press buttons to make connections.
  DWAs: Operate communications equipment or systems.

[Core] [55% incumbents] 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.
  DWAs: Operate communications equipment or systems. | Answer telephones to direct calls or provide information.

[Core] [55% incumbents] Listen to customer requests, referring to alphabetical or geographical directories to answer questions and provide telephone information.
  DWAs: Search files, databases or reference materials to obtain needed information. | Answer telephones to direct calls or provide information.

[Core] [55% incumbents] Offer special assistance to persons such as those who are unable to dial or who are in emergency situations.
  DWAs: Assist disabled or incapacitated individuals.

[Supplemental] [55% incumbents] Operate paging systems or other systems of bells or buzzers to notify recipients of incoming calls.
  DWAs: Operate communications equipment or systems.

[Supplemental] [55% incumbents] Monitor automated systems for placing collect calls and intervene for a callers needing assistance.
  DWAs: Operate communications equipment or systems.

[Supplemental] [55% incumbents] Provide assistance for customers with special billing requests.
  DWAs: Discuss account status or activity with customers or patrons.

[Supplemental] [55% incumbents] Keep records of calls placed and received, and of related toll charges.
  DWAs: Maintain call records.

[Core] [54% incumbents] Suggest and check alternate spellings, locations, or listing formats to customers lacking details or complete information.
  DWAs: Assist individuals with paperwork.

[Core] [54% incumbents] Perform clerical duties such as typing, proofreading, and sorting mail.
  DWAs: Sort mail. | Proofread documents, records, or other files to ensure accuracy.

[Supplemental] [54% incumbents] Interrupt busy lines if an emergency warrants.
  DWAs: Operate communications equipment or systems.

[Supplemental] [54% incumbents] Provide relay service for users who are deaf or hard of hearing.
  DWAs: Assist disabled or incapacitated individuals.

[Supplemental] [54% incumbents] Promote company products, services, and savings plans when appropriate.
  DWAs: Promote products, services, or programs.

--- SKILLS ---
  Active Listening (imp:4.00 lvl:3.62) — Giving full attention to what other people are saying, taking time to understand
  Speaking (imp:4.00 lvl:3.38) — Talking to others to convey information effectively.
  Reading Comprehension (imp:3.00 lvl:2.88) — Understanding written sentences and paragraphs in work-related documents.
  Critical Thinking (imp:3.00 lvl:2.88) — Using logic and reasoning to identify the strengths and weaknesses of alternativ
  Monitoring (imp:2.75 lvl:2.25) — Monitoring/Assessing performance of yourself, other individuals, or organization
  Writing (imp:2.25 lvl:2.25) — Communicating effectively in writing as appropriate for the needs of the audienc
  Active Learning (imp:2.25 lvl:2.00) — Understanding the implications of new information for both current and future pr
  Learning Strategies (imp:2.00 lvl:2.00) — Selecting and using training/instructional methods and procedures appropriate fo
  Mathematics (imp:1.88 lvl:0.88) — Using mathematics to solve problems.
  Science (imp:1.00) — Using scientific rules and methods to solve problems.

--- KNOWLEDGE ---
  Customer and Personal Service (imp:4.24 lvl:5.46) — Knowledge of principles and processes for providing customer and personal servic
  Telecommunications (imp:3.75 lvl:2.96) — Knowledge of transmission, broadcasting, switching, control, and operation of te
  Administrative (imp:3.59 lvl:3.84) — Knowledge of administrative and office procedures and systems such as word proce
  English Language (imp:3.20 lvl:2.76) — Knowledge of the structure and content of the English language including the mea
  Computers and Electronics (imp:3.11 lvl:3.42) — Knowledge of circuit boards, processors, chips, electronic equipment, and comput
  Administration and Management (imp:2.59 lvl:2.45) — Knowledge of business and management principles involved in strategic planning, 
  Public Safety and Security (imp:2.43 lvl:2.27) — Knowledge of relevant equipment, policies, procedures, and strategies to promote
  Education and Training (imp:2.31 lvl:2.44) — Knowledge of principles and methods for curriculum and training design, teaching
  Personnel and Human Resources (imp:2.24 lvl:2.40) — Knowledge of principles and procedures for personnel recruitment, selection, tra
  Communications and Media (imp:2.13 lvl:1.77) — Knowledge of media production, communication, and dissemination techniques and m
  Sales and Marketing (imp:1.79 lvl:0.88) — Knowledge of principles and methods for showing, promoting, and selling products
  Production and Processing (imp:1.79) — Knowledge of raw materials, production processes, quality control, costs, and ot
  Foreign Language (imp:1.72 lvl:1.21) — Knowledge of the structure and content of a foreign (non-English) language inclu
  Mathematics (imp:1.70 lvl:1.47) — Knowledge of arithmetic, algebra, geometry, calculus, statistics, and their appl
  Psychology (imp:1.65) — Knowledge of human behavior and performance; individual differences in ability, 
  Medicine and Dentistry (imp:1.61 lvl:1.12) — Knowledge of the information and techniques needed to diagnose and treat human i
  Economics and Accounting (imp:1.60) — Knowledge of economic and accounting principles and practices, the financial mar
  Law and Government (imp:1.59 lvl:0.65) — Knowledge of laws, legal codes, court procedures, precedents, government regulat
  Geography (imp:1.56) — Knowledge of principles and methods for describing the features of land, sea, an
  Sociology and Anthropology (imp:1.54 lvl:0.92) — Knowledge of group behavior and dynamics, societal trends and influences, human 
  Philosophy and Theology (imp:1.48) — Knowledge of different philosophical systems and religions. This includes their 
  Engineering and Technology (imp:1.44 lvl:0.91) — Knowledge of the practical application of engineering science and technology. Th
  History and Archeology (imp:1.33) — Knowledge of historical events and their causes, indicators, and effects on civi
  Transportation (imp:1.30) — Knowledge of principles and methods for moving people or goods by air, rail, sea
  Food Production (imp:1.27) — Knowledge of techniques and equipment for planting, growing, and harvesting food
  Design (imp:1.23) — Knowledge of design techniques, tools, and principles involved in production of 
  Chemistry (imp:1.22) — Knowledge of the chemical composition, structure, and properties of substances a
  Fine Arts (imp:1.18) — Knowledge of the theory and techniques required to compose, produce, and perform
  Mechanical (imp:1.17) — Knowledge of machines and tools, including their designs, uses, repair, and main
  Physics (imp:1.16) — Knowledge and prediction of physical principles, laws, their interrelationships,
  Therapy and Counseling (imp:1.16) — Knowledge of principles, methods, and procedures for diagnosis, treatment, and r
  Biology (imp:1.11) — Knowledge of plant and animal organisms, their tissues, cells, functions, interd
  Building and Construction (imp:1.10) — Knowledge of materials, methods, and the tools involved in the construction or r

--- ABILITIES ---
  Oral Expression (imp:4.12 lvl:3.75) — The ability to communicate information and ideas in speaking so others will unde
  Oral Comprehension (imp:4.00 lvl:3.62) — The ability to listen to and understand information and ideas presented through 
  Speech Recognition (imp:4.00 lvl:4.12) — The ability to identify and understand the speech of another person.
  Speech Clarity (imp:4.00 lvl:3.75) — The ability to speak clearly so others can understand you.
  Written Comprehension (imp:3.00 lvl:3.00) — The ability to read and understand information and ideas presented in writing.
  Problem Sensitivity (imp:3.00 lvl:2.88) — The ability to tell when something is wrong or is likely to go wrong. It does no
  Selective Attention (imp:3.00 lvl:3.00) — The ability to concentrate on a task over a period of time without being distrac
  Near Vision (imp:3.00 lvl:2.88) — The ability to see details at close range (within a few feet of the observer).
  Deductive Reasoning (imp:2.88 lvl:2.62) — The ability to apply general rules to specific problems to produce answers that 
  Inductive Reasoning (imp:2.88 lvl:2.75) — The ability to combine pieces of information to form general rules or conclusion
  Written Expression (imp:2.75 lvl:2.62) — The ability to communicate information and ideas in writing so others will under
  Information Ordering (imp:2.75 lvl:2.62) — The ability to arrange things or actions in a certain order or pattern according
  Finger Dexterity (imp:2.62 lvl:2.38) — The ability to make precisely coordinated movements of the fingers of one or bot
  Category Flexibility (imp:2.50 lvl:2.25) — The ability to generate or use different sets of rules for combining or grouping
  Flexibility of Closure (imp:2.50 lvl:2.12) — The ability to identify or detect a known pattern (a figure, object, word, or so
  Auditory Attention (imp:2.50 lvl:2.00) — The ability to focus on a single source of sound in the presence of other distra
  Perceptual Speed (imp:2.25 lvl:2.00) — The ability to quickly and accurately compare similarities and differences among
  Speed of Closure (imp:2.12 lvl:2.12) — The ability to quickly make sense of, combine, and organize information into mea
  Hearing Sensitivity (imp:2.12 lvl:2.00) — The ability to detect or tell the differences between sounds that vary in pitch 
  Mathematical Reasoning (imp:2.00 lvl:1.38) — The ability to choose the right mathematical methods or formulas to solve a prob
  Memorization (imp:2.00 lvl:1.50) — The ability to remember information such as words, numbers, pictures, and proced
  Time Sharing (imp:2.00 lvl:2.00) — The ability to shift back and forth between two or more activities or sources of
  Arm-Hand Steadiness (imp:2.00 lvl:1.62) — The ability to keep your hand and arm steady while moving your arm or while hold
  Manual Dexterity (imp:2.00 lvl:1.38) — The ability to quickly move your hand, your hand together with your arm, or your
  Control Precision (imp:2.00 lvl:1.62) — The ability to quickly and repeatedly adjust the controls of a machine or a vehi
  Far Vision (imp:2.00 lvl:1.75) — The ability to see details at a distance.
  Fluency of Ideas (imp:1.88 lvl:1.75) — The ability to come up with a number of ideas about a topic (the number of ideas
  Originality (imp:1.88 lvl:1.75) — The ability to come up with unusual or clever ideas about a given topic or situa
  Number Facility (imp:1.88 lvl:1.38) — The ability to add, subtract, multiply, or divide quickly and correctly.
  Reaction Time (imp:1.88 lvl:1.12) — The ability to quickly respond (with the hand, finger, or foot) to a signal (sou
  Trunk Strength (imp:1.88 lvl:1.25) — The ability to use your abdominal and lower back muscles to support part of the 
  Visual Color Discrimination (imp:1.88 lvl:1.12) — The ability to match or detect differences between colors, including shades of c
  Visualization (imp:1.62 lvl:0.88) — The ability to imagine how something will look after it is moved around or when 
  Rate Control (imp:1.62 lvl:0.75) — The ability to time your movements or the movement of a piece of equipment in an
  Wrist-Finger Speed (imp:1.62 lvl:0.62) — The ability to make fast, simple, repeated movements of the fingers, hands, and 
  Response Orientation (imp:1.50 lvl:0.50) — The ability to choose quickly between two or more movements in response to two o
  Dynamic Strength (imp:1.50 lvl:0.50) — The ability to exert muscle force repeatedly or continuously over time. This inv
  Depth Perception (imp:1.50 lvl:0.50) — The ability to judge which of several objects is closer or farther away from you
  Spatial Orientation (imp:1.00) — The ability to know your location in relation to the environment or to know wher
  Multilimb Coordination (imp:1.00) — The ability to coordinate two or more limbs (for example, two arms, two legs, or
  Speed of Limb Movement (imp:1.00) — The ability to quickly move the arms and legs.
  Static Strength (imp:1.00) — The ability to exert maximum muscle force to lift, push, pull, or carry objects.
  Explosive Strength (imp:1.00) — The ability to use short bursts of muscle force to propel oneself (as in jumping
  Stamina (imp:1.00) — The ability to exert yourself physically over long periods of time without getti
  Extent Flexibility (imp:1.00) — The ability to bend, stretch, twist, or reach with your body, arms, and/or legs.
  Dynamic Flexibility (imp:1.00) — The ability to quickly and repeatedly bend, stretch, twist, or reach out with yo
  Gross Body Coordination (imp:1.00) — The ability to coordinate the movement of your arms, legs, and torso together wh
  Gross Body Equilibrium (imp:1.00) — The ability to keep or regain your body balance or stay upright when in an unsta
  Night Vision (imp:1.00) — The ability to see under low-light conditions.
  Peripheral Vision (imp:1.00) — The ability to see objects or movement of objects to one's side when the eyes ar
  Glare Sensitivity (imp:1.00) — The ability to see objects in the presence of a glare or bright lighting.
  Sound Localization (imp:1.00) — The ability to tell the direction from which a sound originated.

--- WORK ACTIVITIES ---
  Getting Information (imp:4.49 lvl:4.22) — Observing, receiving, and otherwise obtaining information from all relevant sour
  Working with Computers (imp:4.38 lvl:3.37) — Using computers and computer systems (including hardware and software) to progra
  Performing for or Working Directly with the Public (imp:4.11 lvl:4.51) — Performing for people or dealing directly with the public. This includes serving
  Processing Information (imp:4.06 lvl:3.40) — Compiling, coding, categorizing, calculating, tabulating, auditing, or verifying
  Documenting/Recording Information (imp:4.04 lvl:3.64) — Entering, transcribing, recording, storing, or maintaining information in writte
  Communicating with Supervisors, Peers, or Subordinates (imp:3.91 lvl:3.45) — Providing information to supervisors, co-workers, and subordinates by telephone,
  Updating and Using Relevant Knowledge (imp:3.86 lvl:3.93) — Keeping up-to-date technically and applying new knowledge to your job.
  Interpreting the Meaning of Information for Others (imp:3.57 lvl:3.04) — Translating or explaining what information means and how it can be used.
  Establishing and Maintaining Interpersonal Relationships (imp:3.49 lvl:4.35) — Developing constructive and cooperative working relationships with others, and m
  Communicating with People Outside the Organization (imp:3.31 lvl:3.12) — Communicating with people outside the organization, representing the organizatio
  Identifying Objects, Actions, and Events (imp:3.28 lvl:3.25) — Identifying information by categorizing, estimating, recognizing differences or 
  Training and Teaching Others (imp:3.28 lvl:2.67) — Identifying the educational needs of others, developing formal educational or tr
  Judging the Qualities of Objects, Services, or People (imp:3.25 lvl:2.58) — Assessing the value, importance, or quality of things or people.
  Assisting and Caring for Others (imp:3.19 lvl:3.19) — Providing personal assistance, medical attention, emotional support, or other pe
  Evaluating Information to Determine Compliance with Standards (imp:3.09 lvl:2.80) — Using relevant information and individual judgment to determine whether events o
  Organizing, Planning, and Prioritizing Work (imp:3.09 lvl:2.92) — Developing specific goals and plans to prioritize, organize, and accomplish your
  Monitoring Processes, Materials, or Surroundings (imp:2.87 lvl:2.95) — Monitoring and reviewing information from materials, events, or the environment,
  Making Decisions and Solving Problems (imp:2.87 lvl:2.66) — Analyzing information and evaluating results to choose the best solution and sol
  Analyzing Data or Information (imp:2.83 lvl:2.69) — Identifying the underlying principles, reasons, or facts of information by break
  Resolving Conflicts and Negotiating with Others (imp:2.83 lvl:2.54) — Handling complaints, settling disputes, and resolving grievances and conflicts, 
  Coaching and Developing Others (imp:2.76 lvl:2.55) — Identifying the developmental needs of others and coaching, mentoring, or otherw
  Developing Objectives and Strategies (imp:2.71 lvl:2.36) — Establishing long-range objectives and specifying the strategies and actions to 
  Scheduling Work and Activities (imp:2.68 lvl:2.63) — Scheduling events, programs, and activities, as well as the work of others.
  Estimating the Quantifiable Characteristics of Products, Events, or Information (imp:2.67 lvl:2.06) — Estimating sizes, distances, and quantities; or determining time, costs, resourc
  Inspecting Equipment, Structures, or Materials (imp:2.47 lvl:1.89) — Inspecting equipment, structures, or materials to identify the cause of errors o
  Performing Administrative Activities (imp:2.47 lvl:1.83) — Performing day-to-day administrative tasks such as maintaining information files
  Thinking Creatively (imp:2.37 lvl:2.36) — Developing, designing, or creating new applications, ideas, relationships, syste
  Providing Consultation and Advice to Others (imp:2.31 lvl:1.75) — Providing guidance and expert advice to management or other groups on technical,
  Repairing and Maintaining Electronic Equipment (imp:2.29 lvl:1.82) — Servicing, repairing, calibrating, regulating, fine-tuning, or testing machines,
  Developing and Building Teams (imp:2.29 lvl:1.32) — Encouraging and building mutual trust, respect, and cooperation among team membe
  Staffing Organizational Units (imp:2.28 lvl:1.55) — Recruiting, interviewing, selecting, hiring, and promoting employees in an organ
  Guiding, Directing, and Motivating Subordinates (imp:2.17 lvl:1.63) — Providing guidance and direction to subordinates, including setting performance 
  Controlling Machines and Processes (imp:2.09 lvl:1.54) — Using either control mechanisms or direct physical activity to operate machines 
  Performing General Physical Activities (imp:1.99 lvl:1.37) — Performing general physical activities includes doing activities that require co
  Coordinating the Work and Activities of Others (imp:1.91 lvl:0.90) — Getting members of a group to work together to accomplish tasks.
  Monitoring and Controlling Resources (imp:1.80 lvl:1.31) — Monitoring and controlling resources and overseeing the spending of money.
  Handling and Moving Objects (imp:1.75 lvl:1.39) — Using hands and arms in handling, installing, positioning, and moving materials,
  Drafting, Laying Out, and Specifying Technical Devices, Parts, and Equipment (imp:1.64 lvl:0.97) — Providing documentation, detailed instructions, drawings, or specifications to t
  Selling or Influencing Others (imp:1.63) — Convincing others to buy merchandise/goods or to otherwise change their minds or
  Repairing and Maintaining Mechanical Equipment (imp:1.51) — Servicing, repairing, adjusting, and testing machines, devices, moving parts, an
  Operating Vehicles, Mechanized Devices, or Equipment (imp:1.36) — Running, maneuvering, navigating, or driving vehicles or mechanized equipment, s

--- WORK STYLES ---
  Dependability (imp:2.27) — A tendency to be reliable, responsible, and consistent in meeting work-related o
  Cooperation (imp:2.22) — A tendency to be pleasant, helpful, and willing to assist others at work.
  Dependability (imp:2.00) — A tendency to be reliable, responsible, and consistent in meeting work-related o
  Attention to Detail (imp:1.97) — A tendency to be detail-oriented, organized, and thorough in completing work.
  Self-Control (imp:1.84) — A tendency to remain calm and composed and to manage emotions effectively in res
  Social Orientation (imp:1.79) — A tendency to seek out, enjoy, and be energized by social interaction at work.
  Stress Tolerance (imp:1.76) — A tendency to cope and function effectively in stressful situations at work.
  Integrity (imp:1.70) — A tendency to be honest and ethical at work.
  Empathy (imp:1.54) — A tendency to show concern for others and be sensitive to others' needs and feel
  Optimism (imp:1.39) — A tendency to exhibit a positive attitude and positive emotions at work, even un
  Sincerity (imp:1.26) — A tendency to be genuine and sincere in interactions with others at work, withou
  Cooperation (imp:1.00) — A tendency to be pleasant, helpful, and willing to assist others at work.
  Humility (imp:0.96) — A tendency to be modest and humble when interacting with others at work.
  Adaptability (imp:0.91) — A tendency to be open to and comfortable with change, new experiences, or ideas 
  Cautiousness (imp:0.62) — A tendency to be careful, deliberate, and risk-avoidant when making work-related
  Perseverance (imp:0.59) — A tendency to exhibit determination and resolve to perform or complete tasks in 
  Self-Confidence (imp:0.46) — A tendency to believe in one's work-related capabilities and ability to control 
  Achievement Orientation (imp:0.36) — A tendency to establish and maintain personally challenging work-related goals, 
  Initiative (imp:0.30) — A tendency to be proactive and take on extra responsibilities and tasks that may
  Tolerance for Ambiguity (imp:0.04) — A tendency to be comfortable with ambiguity and uncertainty at work.
  Innovation () — A tendency to be inventive, to be imaginative, and to adopt new perspectives on 
  Achievement Orientation () — A tendency to establish and maintain personally challenging work-related goals, 
  Intellectual Curiosity () — A tendency to seek out and acquire new work-related knowledge and obtain a deep 
  Tolerance for Ambiguity () — A tendency to be comfortable with ambiguity and uncertainty at work.
  Initiative () — A tendency to be proactive and take on extra responsibilities and tasks that may
  Adaptability () — A tendency to be open to and comfortable with change, new experiences, or ideas 
  Self-Confidence () — A tendency to believe in one's work-related capabilities and ability to control 
  Perseverance () — A tendency to exhibit determination and resolve to perform or complete tasks in 
  Leadership Orientation () — A tendency to lead, take charge, offer opinions, and provide direction at work.
  Humility () — A tendency to be modest and humble when interacting with others at work.
  Sincerity () — A tendency to be genuine and sincere in interactions with others at work, withou
  Empathy () — A tendency to show concern for others and be sensitive to others' needs and feel
  Optimism () — A tendency to exhibit a positive attitude and positive emotions at work, even un
  Social Orientation () — A tendency to seek out, enjoy, and be energized by social interaction at work.
  Cautiousness () — A tendency to be careful, deliberate, and risk-avoidant when making work-related
  Attention to Detail () — A tendency to be detail-oriented, organized, and thorough in completing work.
  Integrity () — A tendency to be honest and ethical at work.
  Stress Tolerance () — A tendency to cope and function effectively in stressful situations at work.
  Self-Control () — A tendency to remain calm and composed and to manage emotions effectively in res
  Intellectual Curiosity (imp:-0.26) — A tendency to seek out and acquire new work-related knowledge and obtain a deep 
  Innovation (imp:-0.71) — A tendency to be inventive, to be imaginative, and to adopt new perspectives on 
  Leadership Orientation (imp:-0.71) — A tendency to lead, take charge, offer opinions, and provide direction at work.

--- TRANSFERABLE SKILLS ---
  Service Orientation (imp:3.50 lvl:3.12) — Actively looking for ways to help people.
  Social Perceptiveness (imp:3.12 lvl:2.88) — Being aware of others' reactions and understanding why they react as they do.
  Complex Problem Solving (imp:2.62 lvl:2.50) — Identifying complex problems and reviewing related information to develop and ev
  Coordination (imp:2.50 lvl:2.25) — Adjusting actions in relation to others' actions.
  Time Management (imp:2.50 lvl:2.00) — Managing one's own time and the time of others.
  Judgment and Decision Making (imp:2.25 lvl:1.88) — Considering the relative costs and benefits of potential actions to choose the m
  Persuasion (imp:2.00 lvl:1.75) — Persuading others to change their minds or behavior.
  Instructing (imp:2.00 lvl:1.88) — Teaching others how to do something.
  Systems Analysis (imp:2.00 lvl:1.62) — Determining how a system should work and how changes in conditions, operations, 
  Management of Personnel Resources (imp:2.00 lvl:1.75) — Motivating, developing, and directing people as they work, identifying the best 
  Negotiation (imp:1.88 lvl:1.75) — Bringing others together and trying to reconcile differences.
  Systems Evaluation (imp:1.88 lvl:1.12) — Identifying measures or indicators of system performance and the actions needed 
  Operations Monitoring (imp:1.75 lvl:0.88) — Watching gauges, dials, or other indicators to make sure a machine is working pr
  Programming (imp:1.38 lvl:0.38) — Writing computer programs for various purposes.
  Management of Financial Resources (imp:1.38 lvl:0.38) — Determining how money will be spent to get the work done, and accounting for the
  Management of Material Resources (imp:1.38 lvl:0.38) — Obtaining and seeing to the appropriate use of equipment, facilities, and materi
  Technology Design (imp:1.25 lvl:0.25) — Generating or adapting equipment and technology to serve user needs.
  Operation and Control (imp:1.25 lvl:0.25) — Controlling operations of equipment or systems.
  Operations Analysis (imp:1.12 lvl:0.12) — Analyzing needs and product requirements to create a design.
  Quality Control Analysis (imp:1.12 lvl:0.12) — Conducting tests and inspections of products, services, or processes to evaluate
  Equipment Selection (imp:1.00) — Determining the kind of tools and equipment needed to do a job.
  Installation (imp:1.00) — Installing equipment, machines, wiring, or programs to meet specifications.
  Equipment Maintenance (imp:1.00) — Performing routine maintenance on equipment and determining when and what kind o
  Troubleshooting (imp:1.00) — Determining causes of operating errors and deciding what to do about it.
  Repairing (imp:1.00) — Repairing machines or systems using the needed tools.

--- NATIONAL WAGES ---
  total_employment : 3,430
  annual_median    : $41,740
  annual_pct10     : $31,510
  annual_pct25     : $36,920
  annual_pct75     : $51,510
  annual_pct90     : $62,950
  annual_mean      : $44,970
  hourly_median    : $20.07

--- GEOGRAPHIC DISPERSION ---
  highest_state    : California ($57,170)
  lowest_state     : Louisiana ($31,400)
  dispersion_ratio : 1.821x

--- TOP STATES BY WAGE (16 total) ---
  Health Care and Social Assistance        emp:    1,800  median: $  41,730
  Accommodation and Food Services          emp:      350  median: $  42,730
  Information                              emp:      290  median: $  48,260
  Educational Services                     emp:      280  median: $  44,790
  Federal, State, and Local Government, excluding State and Local Government Schools and Hospitals and the U.S. Postal Service (OEWS Designation) emp:      260  median: $  48,390
  Retail Trade                             emp:       70  median: $  29,230
  Finance and Insurance                    emp:       60  median: $  36,450
  Management of Companies and Enterprises  emp:       60  median: $  48,710

--- TOP INDUSTRIES BY EMPLOYMENT (8 total) ---
  Health Care and Social Assistance        emp:    1,800  median: $  41,730
  Accommodation and Food Services          emp:      350  median: $  42,730
  Information                              emp:      290  median: $  48,260
  Educational Services                     emp:      280  median: $  44,790
  Federal, State, and Local Government, excluding State and Local Government Schools and Hospitals and the U.S. Postal Service (OEWS Designation) emp:      260  median: $  48,390
  Retail Trade                             emp:       70  median: $  29,230
  Finance and Insurance                    emp:       60  median: $  36,450
  Management of Companies and Enterprises  emp:       60  median: $  48,710

exact_match_status : found
matched_title      : Telephone operator
match_score        : 0.9730
wikidata_qid       : Q7696736
word_count         : 125
wikipedia_url      : https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Telephone_operator
license            : CC BY-SA 4.0
fetched_at         : 2026-06-02T22:22:11.397143Z

--- WIKIPEDIA FULL TEXT ---
Telephone operator may refer to:


== Telecommunications ==
Switchboard operator, a person who provides assistance to telephone callers
Telephone switchboard, the plug and cord system telephone operators use
Traffic Service Position System, the modern successor to the telephone switchboard
Operator assistance, the various services an operator provides
Telephone company, an entity that offers telephone services to subscribers
Mobile network operator, a phone carrier


== Film ==
The Telephone Operator (1925 film), a German silent comedy film
The Telephone Operator (1932 film), an Italian comedy film
Telephone Operator (film), a 1937 American drama film
The Telephone Operator (1954 film), a West German musical romance film


== Music ==
"Telephone Operator", a song by Pete Shelley from the 1983 album XL1


== See also ==
Operator (disambiguation)

--- SEMANTIC NEIGHBORS (5) ---

  Title: Operator assistance (similarity: 0.4737)
  URL: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Operator_assistance
  QID: Q5702711
  Extract: Operator assistance refers to service provided by a telephone operator to the calling party of a telephone call. This included telephone calls made from pay phones, calls placed station-to-station, person-to-person, or collect, third-number calls, calls billed to credit cards, and certain internatio

  Title: Waze (similarity: 0.0870)
  URL: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Waze
  QID: Q942327
  Extract: Waze Mobile Ltd, doing business as Waze (ווייז), formerly FreeMap Israel, is a subsidiary company of Google that provides satellite navigation software on smartphones and other computers that support the Global Positioning System (GPS). In addition to turn-by-turn navigation, it incorporates user-su

  Title: T-54/T-55 operators and variants (similarity: 0.4314)
  URL: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/T-54%2FT-55_operators_and_variants
  QID: Q4481789
  Extract: The T-54/T-55 tank series is the most widely used tank in the world and has seen service in over 50 countries. It has also served as the platform for a wide variety of specialty armoured vehicles. It was produced in Poland until 1979, in the USSR until 1981, in Czechoslovakia until 1983, in China un

  Title: Mikoyan MiG-29 (similarity: 0.1818)
  URL: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mikoyan_MiG-29
  QID: Q130681
  Extract: The Mikoyan MiG-29 is a twin-engine fighter aircraft designed in the Soviet Union. Developed by the Mikoyan design bureau as an air superiority fighter during the 1970s, the MiG-29, along with the larger Sukhoi Su-27, was developed to counter U.S. fighters such as the McDonnell Douglas F-15 Eagle an

  Title: Minnesota (similarity: 0.2857)
  URL: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Minnesota
  QID: Q1527
  Extract: Minnesota is a state in the Upper Midwestern region of the United States. It is bordered by the Canadian provinces of Manitoba and Ontario to the north and east and by the U.S. states of Wisconsin to the east, Iowa to the south, and North Dakota and South Dakota to the west. The northeast corner has

model_pass1          : claude-sonnet-4-20250514
model_pass2          : claude-haiku-4-5-20251001
inference_confidence : high
confidence_notes     : Strong O*NET data with detailed work activities and clear occupational definition. BLS wage data is current and specific. Limited Wikipedia content but sufficient O*NET detail for comprehensive analysis.
inferred_at          : 2026-06-03T22:08:43.519797+00:00
tokens_input         : 4,593
tokens_output        : 4,008
cost_usd             : $0.043295
wikipedia_used       : True
wikipedia_title      : Telephone operator
wikipedia_note       : Wikipedia confirms the general role definition but provides limited detail on modern operator responsibilities. The semantic neighbor 'Operator assistance' provides more relevant context about contemporary telephone operator services.

--- PROSE FIELDS ---

ROLE SUMMARY:
Telephone operators provide directory assistance and customer support by connecting calls, accessing databases, and helping customers with billing inquiries. They operate telecommunications equipment including switchboards and automated systems while handling emergency calls and special assistance requests. This role requires strong verbal communication skills and knowledge of telecommunications systems.

DAY IN THE LIFE:
Telephone operators spend their day monitoring switchboards and automated calling systems, watching for signal lights and making connections by dialing or pressing buttons. They listen to customer requests and search alphabetical or geographical directories to provide telephone numbers and address information. When customers need special billing assistance, operators help with third-party charges, credits, or refunds for incorrectly dialed numbers. They also provide critical support during emergency situations and assist callers who cannot dial independently. Throughout their shift, operators maintain detailed records of calls placed and received, including toll charges.

WHO THRIVES:
Successful telephone operators possess exceptional verbal communication abilities and active listening skills, as they must clearly understand and respond to diverse customer requests. They need strong attention to detail and dependability since they handle sensitive billing information and emergency calls that require accuracy. Individuals who excel in this role typically have high service orientation and social perceptiveness, allowing them to assist customers patiently and effectively. The work suits people who are comfortable with routine tasks and can maintain focus while monitoring multiple systems simultaneously.

CAREER ENTRY:
Nearly all telephone operators (97.8%) enter with a high school diploma or equivalent, with minimal additional formal education required. Employers typically provide on-the-job training covering telecommunications systems, directory databases, and customer service protocols. New operators learn to use switchboard equipment and become familiar with billing procedures through supervised practice. The job zone classification of 2 indicates that very little to some preparation is needed beyond basic education.

CAREER TRAJECTORY:
Telephone operators can advance to supervisory roles within telecommunications or transition to related customer service positions with additional experience. The role provides foundational skills in customer service, database management, and telecommunications that transfer well to dispatcher positions or customer service representative roles. Some operators move into specialized areas like public safety telecommunications or pursue opportunities in the growing health care sector where telephone operator services are in demand.

MARKET INTELLIGENCE:
The telephone operator field employs 3,430 people nationally with a median annual wage of $41,740 according to BLS OEWS May 2025, ranging from $31,510 to $62,950. Employment is concentrated in health care and social assistance (1,800 positions), accommodation and food services (350), and information sectors (290). Geographic wage variation is significant, with California offering the highest pay at $57,170 compared to Louisiana's $31,400, reflecting a 1.82x ratio. The field shows limited growth prospects as automation continues to reduce demand for traditional operator services.

AUTOMATION OUTLOOK:
Telephone operators face high automation risk as their core work activities of getting information and working with computers can be increasingly handled by automated systems and AI-powered voice recognition. Many directory assistance functions have already been automated, and billing inquiries are being shifted to self-service portals and chatbots.

--- REASONED EDGES ---
  [task_similarity] Switchboard Operators, Including Answering Service (43-2011.00) — confidence:high
    reasoning: Both roles operate telephone switchboards and systems to connect calls, requiring identical telecommunications equipment skills and customer service orientation.
    data: Operate telephone switchboards task
    data: Communications equipment operation
    data: Customer service knowledge 4.2 importance
  [skill_overlap] Receptionists and Information Clerks (43-4171.00) — confidence:high
    reasoning: Both positions emphasize active listening (4.0 importance), speaking skills, and performing for/working directly with the public (4.1 importance).
    data: Active Listening imp:4.0
    data: Speaking imp:4.0
    data: Working with public imp:4.1
  [knowledge_overlap] Customer Service Representatives (43-4051.00) — confidence:high
    reasoning: Both roles require customer and personal service knowledge (4.2 importance) and handle special billing requests and customer assistance.
    data: Customer and Personal Service imp:4.2
    data: Special billing assistance task
    data: Service Orientation skill 3.5 importance
  [career_pathway] Public Safety Telecommunicators (43-5031.00) — confidence:medium
    reasoning: Telephone operators' emergency call handling experience and telecommunications equipment skills transfer directly to public safety dispatching roles.
    data: Emergency situations assistance task
    data: Communications equipment operation
    data: Public Safety knowledge 2.4 importance
  [riasec_cluster] Telemarketers (41-9041.00) — confidence:medium
    reasoning: Both occupations share conventional-social RIASEC profiles with telephone-based customer interaction and require similar oral communication abilities.
    data: C:6.21, S:4.05 RIASEC
    data: Oral Expression imp:4.1
    data: Working with public

--- NORMALIZER SIGNALS ---
  match_keywords   : ['telephone operator', 'directory assistance', 'switchboard operator', 'call operator', 'communications operator', 'emergency operator', 'information operator', '411 operator']
  exclude_keywords : ['telemarketer', 'dispatcher', 'receptionist', 'customer service', 'technical support']
  title_patterns   : ['*operator', '*assistance*', 'directory*', 'communications*', 'telephone*']
  common_variations: ['phone operator', 'directory operator', '411 operator', 'toll operator', 'local operator', 'information specialist', 'communications op', 'switchboard op']

total_terms    : 40
top_words      : ['tendency', 'others', 'telephone', 'equipment', 'operator', 'principles', 'calls', 'services', 'assistance', 'service', 'customer', 'includes', 'control', 'objects', 'operate', 'materials', 'ideas', 'operators', 'monitoring', 'techniques']
source_layers  : onet_tasks | onet_dimensions | dwas | wikipedia | inference

TERM                    COUNT     FREQ  DOMINANT SOURCE      SOURCE BREAKDOWN
──────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────
tendency                   42  0.01512  onet_dimensions      onet_dimensions:100%
others                     38  0.01368  onet_dimensions      onet_dimensions:100%
telephone                  30  0.01080  wikipedia            wikipedia:50%  inference:33%  onet_tasks:10%
equipment                  30  0.01080  onet_dimensions      onet_dimensions:77%  dwas:17%  inference:7%
operator                   19  0.00684  wikipedia            wikipedia:68%  inference:32%
principles                 16  0.00576  onet_dimensions      onet_dimensions:100%
calls                      15  0.00540  wikipedia            wikipedia:33%  onet_tasks:27%  inference:27%
services                   14  0.00504  onet_dimensions      onet_dimensions:43%  inference:29%  wikipedia:14%
assistance                 13  0.00468  inference            inference:46%  onet_tasks:23%  wikipedia:23%
service                    13  0.00468  inference            inference:46%  wikipedia:31%  onet_dimensions:15%
customer                   12  0.00432  inference            inference:58%  onet_dimensions:33%  onet_tasks:8%
includes                   12  0.00432  onet_dimensions      onet_dimensions:100%
control                    12  0.00432  onet_dimensions      onet_dimensions:100%
objects                    12  0.00432  onet_dimensions      onet_dimensions:100%
operate                    11  0.00396  dwas                 dwas:45%  onet_dimensions:27%  onet_tasks:18%
materials                  11  0.00396  onet_dimensions      onet_dimensions:91%  dwas:9%
ideas                      11  0.00396  onet_dimensions      onet_dimensions:100%
operators                  11  0.00396  inference            inference:91%  wikipedia:9%
monitoring                 10  0.00360  onet_dimensions      onet_dimensions:80%  inference:20%
techniques                 10  0.00360  onet_dimensions      onet_dimensions:100%
activities                 10  0.00360  onet_dimensions      onet_dimensions:90%  inference:10%
body                       10  0.00360  onet_dimensions      onet_dimensions:100%
orientation                10  0.00360  onet_dimensions      onet_dimensions:90%  inference:10%
customers                   9  0.00324  onet_dimensions      onet_dimensions:33%  inference:33%  onet_tasks:22%
problems                    9  0.00324  onet_dimensions      onet_dimensions:100%
procedures                  9  0.00324  onet_dimensions      onet_dimensions:89%  inference:11%
telecommunications          9  0.00324  inference            inference:67%  onet_dimensions:22%  wikipedia:11%
resources                   9  0.00324  onet_dimensions      onet_dimensions:100%
production                  9  0.00324  onet_dimensions      onet_dimensions:89%  wikipedia:11%
needed                      9  0.00324  onet_dimensions      onet_dimensions:78%  dwas:11%  inference:11%
quickly                     9  0.00324  onet_dimensions      onet_dimensions:100%
film                        9  0.00324  wikipedia            wikipedia:100%
person                      8  0.00288  onet_dimensions      onet_dimensions:38%  wikipedia:38%  onet_tasks:25%
understand                  8  0.00288  onet_dimensions      onet_dimensions:88%  inference:12%
needs                       8  0.00288  onet_dimensions      onet_dimensions:100%
rules                       8  0.00288  onet_dimensions      onet_dimensions:100%
standards                   8  0.00288  onet_dimensions      onet_dimensions:100%
management                  8  0.00288  onet_dimensions      onet_dimensions:88%  inference:12%
events                      8  0.00288  onet_dimensions      onet_dimensions:100%
actions                     8  0.00288  onet_dimensions      onet_dimensions:100%