Alarm operator vs security dispatcher

The differences between alarm operators and security dispatchers can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. Additionally, a security dispatcher has an average salary of $33,347, 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 a security dispatcher are customer service, patients, and patrol.

Alarm operator vs security dispatcher overview

	Alarm Operator	Security Dispatcher
Yearly salary	$29,349	$33,347
Hourly rate	$14.11	$16.03
Growth rate	4%	3%
Number of jobs	30,893	82,349
Job satisfaction	-	-
Most common degree	High School Diploma, 35%	High School Diploma, 33%
Average age	39	43
Years of experience	-	2

Alarm operator vs security dispatcher salary

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

	Alarm Operator	Security Dispatcher
Average salary	$29,349	$33,347
Salary range	Between $25,000 And $34,000	Between $26,000 And $41,000
Highest paying City	Kirkland, WA	Bellevue, WA
Highest paying state	Oregon	Alaska
Best paying company	ASRC Federal	Brigham and Women's Hospital
Best paying industry	Utilities	Hospitality

Differences between alarm operator and security dispatcher education

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

	Alarm Operator	Security Dispatcher
Most common degree	High School Diploma, 35%	High School Diploma, 33%
Most common major	Business	Criminal Justice
Most common college	-	-

Alarm operator vs security dispatcher demographics

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

	Alarm Operator	Security Dispatcher
Average age	39	43
Gender ratio	Male, 39.2% Female, 60.8%	Male, 43.0% Female, 57.0%
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, 10.3% Unknown, 5.1% Hispanic or Latino, 17.5% Asian, 3.8% White, 62.4% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.9%
LGBT Percentage	17%	7%

Differences between alarm operator and security 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.

Security dispatcher example responsibilities.

Manage customer service satisfaction by providing update eta and location of drivers.
Train to use CPR and AEDs.
Train in the use of TDD for communicating with the hearing impair community.
Operate computers, fax machines, copiers, printers, TDD systems etc.
Receive and transmit all complaints, via radio or telephone, and log according to FCC standards.
Determine the nature of the emergency then dispatch the appropriate police, fire or ems agency to assist the caller.

Alarm operator vs security 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 security dispatcher skills

Customer Service, 15%
Patients, 8%
Patrol, 8%
Computer Aided Dispatch, 7%
Emergency Situations, 5%
CCTV, 5%