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The differences between call takers and communications dispatchers can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. Additionally, a call taker has an average salary of $38,776, which is higher than the $35,153 average annual salary of a communications dispatcher.
The top three skills for a call taker include computer aided dispatch, taker and CAD. The most important skills for a communications dispatcher are computer aided dispatch, CAD, and emergency situations.
| Call Taker | Communications Dispatcher | |
| Yearly salary | $38,776 | $35,153 |
| Hourly rate | $18.64 | $16.90 |
| Growth rate | 4% | 4% |
| Number of jobs | 11,539 | 19,172 |
| Job satisfaction | - | - |
| Most common degree | High School Diploma, 30% | Bachelor's Degree, 40% |
| Average age | 39 | 39 |
| Years of experience | - | - |
A call taker works at a call or dispatch center, where they are primarily in charge of answering calls, identifying the callers' needs, and coordinating services to assist them right away. Although their responsibilities depend on their company or industry of employment, it usually involves answering inquiries, processing requests, arranging appointments or reservations, and handling issues and concerns, resolving them promptly and efficiently. When it comes to employment, a call taker may work for 911 dispatch centers, taxi companies, towing services, and private hotlines.
Communications dispatchers are responsible for answering emergency calls and dispatch officials to sort out the situation. They are often called 911 operators or 911 dispatchers and respond to the calls from the public and relay the messages to the medical personnel, police, or the fire staff to the scene of the emergency occasion. Typical duties of communications dispatchers include receiving and responding to emergency calls, recording the calls, evaluating incidents, and prioritizing calls. Their job requires them to earn a certain certification as well as training. Interpersonal and strong listening skills are vital in this field.
Call takers and communications dispatchers have different pay scales, as shown below.
| Call Taker | Communications Dispatcher | |
| Average salary | $38,776 | $35,153 |
| Salary range | Between $29,000 And $51,000 | Between $26,000 And $47,000 |
| Highest paying City | San Mateo, CA | Santa Rosa, CA |
| Highest paying state | California | California |
| Best paying company | City of San Antonio | City of Richmond |
| Best paying industry | Government | Government |
There are a few differences between a call taker and a communications dispatcher in terms of educational background:
| Call Taker | Communications Dispatcher | |
| Most common degree | High School Diploma, 30% | Bachelor's Degree, 40% |
| Most common major | Criminal Justice | Criminal Justice |
| Most common college | - | - |
Here are the differences between call takers' and communications dispatchers' demographics:
| Call Taker | Communications Dispatcher | |
| Average age | 39 | 39 |
| Gender ratio | Male, 26.0% Female, 74.0% | 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% |