Alarm operator vs emergency dispatcher

The differences between alarm operators and emergency dispatchers can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. Additionally, an emergency dispatcher has an average salary of $36,748, which is higher than the $29,349 average annual salary of an alarm operator.

The top three skills for an alarm operator include alarm signals, emergency situations and customer service. The most important skills for an emergency dispatcher are computer aided dispatch, EMS, and customer service.

Alarm operator vs emergency dispatcher overview

	Alarm Operator	Emergency Dispatcher
Yearly salary	$29,349	$36,748
Hourly rate	$14.11	$17.67
Growth rate	4%	4%
Number of jobs	30,893	29,409
Job satisfaction	-	-
Most common degree	High School Diploma, 35%	Bachelor's Degree, 32%
Average age	39	39
Years of experience	-	-

Alarm operator vs emergency dispatcher salary

Alarm operators and emergency dispatchers have different pay scales, as shown below.

	Alarm Operator	Emergency Dispatcher
Average salary	$29,349	$36,748
Salary range	Between $25,000 And $34,000	Between $27,000 And $49,000
Highest paying City	Kirkland, WA	Allentown, PA
Highest paying state	Oregon	Pennsylvania
Best paying company	ASRC Federal	Clean Harbors
Best paying industry	Utilities	Government

Differences between alarm operator and emergency dispatcher education

There are a few differences between an alarm operator and an emergency dispatcher in terms of educational background:

	Alarm Operator	Emergency Dispatcher
Most common degree	High School Diploma, 35%	Bachelor's Degree, 32%
Most common major	Business	Criminal Justice
Most common college	-	-

Alarm operator vs emergency dispatcher demographics

Here are the differences between alarm operators' and emergency dispatchers' demographics:

	Alarm Operator	Emergency Dispatcher
Average age	39	39
Gender ratio	Male, 39.2% Female, 60.8%	Male, 34.8% Female, 65.2%
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 alarm operator and emergency dispatcher duties and responsibilities

Alarm operator example responsibilities.

Interpret and respond to system messages through use of JES2, MVS, SDSF and automate commands.
Supervise telecommunication operations and reinforce the confidentiality in telecommunications.
Enter data into various databases including TCIC and NCIC.
Enter stolen, re-cover and missing property into TCIC and NCIC database.
Supervise telecommunication operations and reinforce the confidentiality in telecommunications.

Emergency dispatcher example responsibilities.

Perform (EMD) emergency medical dispatch procedures until the police, fire fighters or paramedics arrive.
Receive emergency and non emergency calls via telephone, TDD or radio.
Assist with over the phone medical instruction, CPR instruction, and traumatic emergencies.
Coordinate response of ambulances and public safety units to emergency sites or in-progress crime situations.
Coordinate response of ambulances, fire, and police units to emergencies and in-progress crime situations.
Assist with leading callers through various procedures such as CPR while waiting for units to arrive on scene.

Alarm operator vs emergency dispatcher skills

Common alarm operator skills

Alarm Signals, 15%
Emergency Situations, 14%
Customer Service, 12%
Data Entry, 8%
Emergency Services, 7%
Security Systems, 7%

Common emergency dispatcher skills

Computer Aided Dispatch, 12%
EMS, 6%
Customer Service, 6%
CAD, 6%
Public Safety Agencies, 6%
Non-Emergency Telephone Calls, 6%