911 emergency dispatcher vs communications dispatcher

The differences between 911 emergency dispatchers and communications dispatchers can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. Additionally, a 911 emergency dispatcher has an average salary of $36,782, which is higher than the $35,153 average annual salary of a communications dispatcher.

The top three skills for a 911 emergency dispatcher include EMS, computer aided dispatch and NCIC. The most important skills for a communications dispatcher are computer aided dispatch, CAD, and emergency situations.

911 emergency dispatcher vs communications dispatcher overview

	911 Emergency Dispatcher	Communications Dispatcher
Yearly salary	$36,782	$35,153
Hourly rate	$17.68	$16.90
Growth rate	4%	4%
Number of jobs	27,140	19,172
Job satisfaction	-	-
Most common degree	High School Diploma, 30%	Bachelor's Degree, 40%
Average age	39	39
Years of experience	-	-

911 emergency dispatcher vs communications dispatcher salary

911 emergency dispatchers and communications dispatchers have different pay scales, as shown below.

	911 Emergency Dispatcher	Communications Dispatcher
Average salary	$36,782	$35,153
Salary range	Between $27,000 And $49,000	Between $26,000 And $47,000
Highest paying City	Minneapolis, MN	Santa Rosa, CA
Highest paying state	Pennsylvania	California
Best paying company	Clark County	City of Richmond
Best paying industry	Government	Government

Differences between 911 emergency dispatcher and communications dispatcher education

There are a few differences between a 911 emergency dispatcher and a communications dispatcher in terms of educational background:

	911 Emergency Dispatcher	Communications Dispatcher
Most common degree	High School Diploma, 30%	Bachelor's Degree, 40%
Most common major	Criminal Justice	Criminal Justice
Most common college	-	-

911 emergency dispatcher vs communications dispatcher demographics

Here are the differences between 911 emergency dispatchers' and communications dispatchers' demographics:

	911 Emergency Dispatcher	Communications Dispatcher
Average age	39	39
Gender ratio	Male, 26.8% Female, 73.2%	Male, 29.6% Female, 70.4%
Race ratio	Black or African American, 9.1% Unknown, 6.0% Hispanic or Latino, 11.1% Asian, 0.9% White, 72.1% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.7%	Black or African American, 9.1% Unknown, 6.0% Hispanic or Latino, 11.1% Asian, 0.9% White, 72.1% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.7%
LGBT Percentage	17%	17%

Differences between 911 emergency dispatcher and communications dispatcher duties and responsibilities

911 emergency dispatcher example responsibilities.

Help deliver several healthy babies with the assistance of the 911 EMD cards.
Help callers perform CPR, Heimlich maneuver, and other lifesaving measures of injure subjects.
Answer emergency and non-emergency calls and dispatch the appropriate department whether it be police, fire, or ems.
Operate a nationwide computerize crime information system (NCIC) to all criminal justice agencies-local, state and federal.
Log warrant entries, missing persons, and stolen vehicles as well as other miscellaneous items into the national NCIC program.
Administer CPR instructions to numerous third party individuals.

Communications dispatcher example responsibilities.

Manage Facebook page and create event page for grand opening.
Provide first aid, CPR and emergency oxygen as required.
Provide telephone service on the TDD communication device for the deaf and hearing impair.
Respond verbally and used TDD (text telephone device for hearing or speech impair) to communicate with callers when need.
Maintain composure and compassion while handling emergency and non-emergency calls from a diverse community
Coordinate the response of ambulances and public safety units to emergency sites or in-progress crime situations.

911 emergency dispatcher vs communications dispatcher skills

Common 911 emergency dispatcher skills

EMS, 12%
Computer Aided Dispatch, 10%
NCIC, 6%
CAD, 6%
Public Safety Agencies, 6%
Law Enforcement Agencies, 5%

Common communications dispatcher skills

Computer Aided Dispatch, 12%
CAD, 8%
Emergency Situations, 5%
CPR, 5%
Dispatch System, 5%
Good Judgment, 5%

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Office and Administrative Industry
911 Emergency Dispatcher
911 Emergency Dispatcher vs Communications Dispatcher

Updated January 8, 2025

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