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AI Work Index

Headline risk

67%

Very High Risk

Switchboard operators, including answering service

United States AI Work Index43-2011

AI displacement pressure score for United States AI Work Index, combining global AI task overlap with local wages, employment trends, and demand signals.

36.6 current · 27 projectedConfidence high

Why This Score

Tasks 100%

Share of job tasks that overlap with current AI capabilities

Wage $38K

Median annual wage

Demand -26%

Projected employment change over 10 years

Preparation Zone 2

Typical preparation needed for this occupation

Occupation profile

Operate telephone business systems equipment or switchboards to relay incoming, outgoing, and interoffice calls. May supply information to callers and record messages.

Task evidence

100% weighted task match · 25% effective coverage

Scores combine AI task overlap, human advantages, and local demand. How it works

United States Now

Median Wage

USD 38,370

Employment 2024

36.6K

Projected Change (2024–34)

-26.3%

Openings (2024–34)

2.8K

Wage distribution

Bottom 10%: USD 29,82025th pctl: USD 34,250Median: USD 38,37075th pctl: USD 46,330Top 10%: USD 60,940

Demand outlook

Projections published, but no prose outlook available.

Education: High school diploma or equivalent Experience: —

Role Profile

Customer serviceAdaptabilitySpeaking and listening

Tasks

  • 1. Operate communication systems, such as telephone, switchboard, intercom, two-way radio, or public address. AI use: 0%
  • 2. Answer incoming calls, greeting callers, providing information, transferring calls or taking messages as necessary. AI use: 100%
  • 3. Relay or route written or verbal messages. AI use: 0%
  • 4. Page individuals to inform them of telephone calls, using paging or interoffice communication equipment. AI use: 0%
  • 5. Greet visitors, log them in and out of the facility, assign them security badges, and contact employee escorts. AI use: 0%
  • 6. Perform various data entry or word processing tasks, such as updating phone directories, typing or proofreading documents, or creating schedules. AI use: 87%

Technologies

Microsoft ExcelMicrosoft Office softwareMicrosoft OutlookMicrosoft AccessMicrosoft PowerPointMicrosoft Windows

Requirements

Can telework: 13.2%No education requirement: 12.7%High school diploma: 87.1%On-the-job training: 21.62%Prior work experience: 23.6%Specific vocational preparation: 70.1%Adaptability: Work schedule variability: 34.9%Work pace: 51.9%

Work context

Telephone Conversations 5.0/5
Contact With Others 5.0/5
E-Mail 4.6/5
Face-to-Face Discussions with Individuals and Within Teams 4.6/5
Frequency of Decision Making 4.5/5
Deal With External Customers or the Public in General 4.4/5

Worker profile

Median age 44.7 · 63K employed

Under 25: 11% · 25–54: 57% · 55+: 30%

Related

No direct US role match is available yet for this occupation.