Telephone Operators
Machines can already do 37% of this job's tasks. By 2035 that rises to 70%. The job changes before it disappears.
Share of the work machines can do
Worldwide baseline, 2026 to 2050
Telephone Operators in 2026: the short answer
- Today: machines can do 37% of this job's tasks, and AI use is already seen in 0% of them.
- Forecast: machines can do half of its tasks by 2031, and 70% by 2035, according to the 311 Strategic Intelligence Unit.
- Size: 3,430 people do this job in the United States, on a median pay of $41,740 a year.
- Contact with people: it scores 82% for contact with people.
- Also called: 411 Directory Assistance Operator (411 Directory Assistance Op), Directory Assistance Operator (Directory Assistance Op), Information Specialist, Live Source Operator (Live Source Op).
Updated by the 311 Strategic Intelligence Unit. These are worldwide baseline figures; the Workforce Starburst shows them for your country. Go deeper: How ready am I? or an executive briefing.
How the work changes, task by task
The tasks that take up most of the day, with the share of each that machines can do in 2026 (dark) and 2035 (pink). Worldwide baseline.
| Task | Share of the day | Machines can do | 2026 to 2035 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 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 | 27% | 38% to 72% | |
| Listen to customer requests, referring to alphabetical or geographical directories to answer questions and provide telephone information | 19% | 45% to 75% | |
| Observe signal lights on switchboards, and dial or press buttons to make connections | 14% | 40% to 80% | |
| Perform clerical duties such as typing, proofreading, and sorting mail | 11% | 20% to 60% | |
| Operate paging systems or other systems of bells or buzzers to notify recipients of incoming calls | 7% | 40% to 80% | |
| Update directory information | 4% | 65% to 92% | |
| Offer special assistance to persons such as those who are unable to dial or who are in emergency situations | 4% | 10% to 32% | |
| Suggest and check alternate spellings, locations, or listing formats to customers lacking details or complete information | 3% | 10% to 32% |
The skills this job runs on
The skills telephone operators use most, most used first.
Safer jobs nearby
Jobs with a similar skill shape where machines can do less of the work by 2035.
- Hotel, Motel, and Resort Desk Clerks69% of tasks by 2035 · US median $35,070
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- Cashiers65% of tasks by 2035 · US median $32,880
- Medical Assistants63% of tasks by 2035 · US median $45,690
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Questions
When will machines do half of the tasks of Telephone Operators?
Machines can do half of its tasks by 2031. That is the worldwide baseline from the 311 Workforce Starburst, before adjusting for country.
Will AI take the job of telephone operators?
Machines can do 37% of the tasks of telephone operators today and 70% by 2035. The job changes before it disappears: the routine tasks move first.
Sources and citing
Tasks and their share of the day: O*NET 31.0, occupation 43-2021.00 (US Department of Labor, CC BY 4.0). Pay and jobs: US Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025. AI use today: Anthropic Economic Index (CC BY). Scoring and forecast: the 311 Strategic Intelligence Unit; after 2035 the figures extend each trend, with lower confidence. Foresight, not advice.
Cite as: 311 Institute (2026). Telephone Operators: the outlook to 2050. 311 Workforce Starburst. https://www.311institute.com/jobs/telephone-operators/