Senior-Level

Central Office Telephone Operators Supervisor

A Central Office Telephone Operators Supervisor leads the team handling switchboard, directory, or specialized telephone services from a central office — managing schedules, training, and the call-handling operation.

Career Level
Junior
Mid
Senior
Director
VP
Executive
Work Personality
E
C
S
R
I
A
Enterprisingleading, persuading
Conventionalorganizing, detail-oriented
Based on Holland Code framework
Job markets for Central Office Telephone Operators Supervisors
Employment concentration · ~393 areas
Based on employment in related occupations
Mapped SOC categories:
BLS Occupational Employment Statistics
What it's like

What it's like to be a Central Office Telephone Operators Supervisor

Days tend to be paced by call volume patterns and the team handling them. You're monitoring service levels, coaching operators through difficult calls, handling escalations, and managing the rotation across shifts. Specialized services — directory assistance, operator-assisted calls, emergency relay — each have their own protocols and pressure.

The collaboration tends to be wider than expected. You're working with technical staff, training, customer service, and emergency-services partners depending on the operation. The friction usually shows up around staffing during peak volumes and the documentation that follows incidents or unusual calls.

People who tend to thrive enjoy structured operational management with a service orientation and find satisfaction in steady performance. If you need strategic visibility, fast-moving change, or distance from shift-work realities, the role can feel narrow.

SupportAbove avg
RelationshipsAbove avg
IndependenceAbove avg
Working ConditionsModerate
AchievementModerate
RecognitionModerate
O*NET Work Values survey
✦ Editorial — written by Truest from industry research and career patterns
Career Paths

Where this role sits in the broader career landscape — and where it can take you.

$239K$179K$119K$60K$0KLower paying387 metro areas, sorted by salary level
All experience levels1
This level's estimated range
INDUSTRIES PAYING ABOVE AVERAGE
1 BLS OEWS May 2024 covers all Central Office Telephone Operators Supervisors (SOC 43-1011.00), not just this title · BEA RPP 2023
* Top salaries exceed this figure. BLS caps reported wages at ~$240K to protect individual privacy in high-earning roles.
Exploring the Central Office Telephone Operators Supervisor career path? Truest helps you figure out if it's the right fit — and plan your path forward.
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✦ Editorial — career progression and interview guidance based on industry patterns
The Broader Landscape

Roles like this one sit within a broader occupational category. The numbers below reflect that full landscape — helpful for context, but your specific experience will depend on level, specialty, and where you work.

$44K–$103K
Salary Range
10th – 90th percentile
1.5M
U.S. Employment
-0.3%
10yr Growth
145K
Annual Openings

How this category is changing

$64K$61K$59K$56K$53K201920202021202220232024$53K$64K
BLS OEWS May 2024 · BLS Employment Projections 2024–2034

Skills & Requirements

Social PerceptivenessSpeakingMonitoringCoordinationReading ComprehensionActive ListeningCritical ThinkingWritingManagement of Personnel ResourcesTime Management
O*NET OnLine · Bureau of Labor Statistics
43-1011.00

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Federal data: BLS Occupational Employment & Wage Statistics (May 2024) · BLS Employment Projections · O*NET OnLine
Truest editorial: Fit check, role profile, things that vary, advancement analysis, lateral moves, interview questions.