What are the pros and cons of being a 911 dispatcher?

Question

Zippia Team · Accepted Answer

The pros of being a 911 dispatcher are competitive benefits and the rewarding feeling you get when you help others, while the cons are long hours and emotional demand. Here is a more detailed look at the pros and cons of being a 911 dispatcher:

Pros:

Competitive Benefits. On average, 911 dispatchers can make more than the average salary, and there are not many requirements to begin working. There are also great benefits and some agencies add extra benefits to entice potential employees.
Help Others. As a 911 dispatcher, your job is to be available and ready to help anyone in need. This is an extremely important and rewarding position to be in. You will find satisfaction in helping others.
Exciting Work. A great part of being a 911 dispatcher is that you never know what's going to happen. Every day is different, and that constant change can be very exciting for some.

Cons:

Sedentary Position. For almost the entirety of your shift as a dispatcher, you will be sitting at a desk to work. There is not a lot of movement on the job, so if you need that variability, this is not a great fit for you.
Long Hours. Dispatching agencies generally follow 12-hour shift models, which means that you will be working long hours at one time. Depending on your schedule, this could either be a good or bad thing.
Emotionally Draining. When working as a 911 dispatcher, you will often be faced with extremely disheartening stories. You could potentially hear some horrific news or sensitive subjects and that can be extremely emotionally taxing.