Communication center operator vs central communications specialist

The differences between communication center operators and central communications specialists can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. It typically takes 1-2 years to become both a communication center operator and a central communications specialist. Additionally, a central communications specialist has an average salary of $41,083, which is higher than the $30,490 average annual salary of a communication center operator.

The top three skills for a communication center operator include customer service, emergency situations and CCTV. The most important skills for a central communications specialist are customer service, data entry, and traffic flow.

Communication center operator vs central communications specialist overview

	Communication Center Operator	Central Communications Specialist
Yearly salary	$30,490	$41,083
Hourly rate	$14.66	$19.75
Growth rate	4%	8%
Number of jobs	55,730	63,117
Job satisfaction	-	-
Most common degree	Bachelor's Degree, 43%	Bachelor's Degree, 47%
Average age	53	53
Years of experience	2	2

Communication center operator vs central communications specialist salary

Communication center operators and central communications specialists have different pay scales, as shown below.

	Communication Center Operator	Central Communications Specialist
Average salary	$30,490	$41,083
Salary range	Between $23,000 And $39,000	Between $31,000 And $53,000
Highest paying City	Los Gatos, CA	Portland, OR
Highest paying state	Minnesota	California
Best paying company	Rockwell Collins	BMO Capital Markets
Best paying industry	Technology	-

Differences between communication center operator and central communications specialist education

There are a few differences between a communication center operator and a central communications specialist in terms of educational background:

	Communication Center Operator	Central Communications Specialist
Most common degree	Bachelor's Degree, 43%	Bachelor's Degree, 47%
Most common major	Criminal Justice	Business
Most common college	-	-

Communication center operator vs central communications specialist demographics

Here are the differences between communication center operators' and central communications specialists' demographics:

	Communication Center Operator	Central Communications Specialist
Average age	53	53
Gender ratio	Male, 60.2% Female, 39.8%	Male, 41.9% Female, 58.1%
Race ratio	Black or African American, 14.3% Unknown, 4.0% Hispanic or Latino, 17.6% Asian, 3.7% White, 59.1% American Indian and Alaska Native, 1.4%	Black or African American, 14.3% Unknown, 3.6% Hispanic or Latino, 18.3% Asian, 3.2% White, 59.4% American Indian and Alaska Native, 1.2%
LGBT Percentage	19%	19%

Differences between communication center operator and central communications specialist duties and responsibilities

Communication center operator example responsibilities.

Interpret and respond to system messages through use of JES2, MVS, SDSF and automate commands.
Utilize Microsoft PowerPoint to create visual representations of banker diagrams; and graphic objects.
Maintain the mainframe job scheduling system monitoring CA7 production support, filling customer request for change orders.
Answer Lenel alarms, monitor CCTVs, conduct camera audits, conduct incidents reports and submit work orders.
Perform UNIX backups and report any necessary abnormalities.
Train new console operators on new Honeywell security system.

Central communications specialist example responsibilities.

Manage, create and edit internal and external communication collateral, providing high-level management copywriting and document creation support.
Interpret medical abbreviations (SIG codes).
Follow all HIPPA and other confidentiality laws.
Dispatch helicopter teams to scene call flights.
Assist customers to the parking lot with groceries.
Resolve complex verification problems relate to interactions between all functional areas of the AVN, FAA and its user organizations.

Communication center operator vs central communications specialist skills

Common communication center operator skills

Customer Service, 26%
Emergency Situations, 8%
CCTV, 6%
Incident Reports, 6%
Security Systems, 4%
Background Checks, 4%

Common central communications specialist skills

Customer Service, 28%
Data Entry, 23%
Traffic Flow, 7%
Sops, 7%
FDA, 6%
Financial Transactions, 5%

Communication Center Operator vs. similar jobs

Communication Center Operator related careers

Communication Center Operator related jobs

What similar roles do

Zippia Careers
Office and Administrative Industry
Communication Center Operator
Communication Center Operator vs Central Communications Specialist

Updated January 8, 2025

Browse office and administrative jobs