A communications dispatcher is responsible for responding to emergency calls and sending out authorities to resolve the situation. They answer calls from the public and coordinate police, fire or medical personnel to the scene of an incident. They also question callers in order to prioritize the emergency response and handle emergency calls for public works departments that come in when those offices are closed.
Communications dispatchers earn an average salary of $40,000 annually or $19 per hour. They may use a computer database to look up a suspect's criminal record or to check a vehicle's registration. They also maintain records of all calls and dispatches and deliver messages between the callers at the scene of the emergency, responders, and others who need to be informed.
Communications dispatchers typically hold a high school diploma or a GED certificate. They are expected to have some years of experience as a communications dispatcher or in a similar role. Some employers prefer candidates who have completed certification courses through professional associations and update their training periodically.
What is a Communications Dispatcher?
What Does a Communications Dispatcher Do
There are certain skills that many communications dispatchers have in order to accomplish their responsibilities. By taking a look through resumes, we were able to narrow down the most common skills for a person in this position. We discovered that a lot of resumes listed ability to multitask, empathy and listening skills.
How To Become a Communications Dispatcher
If you're interested in becoming a communications dispatcher, one of the first things to consider is how much education you need. We've determined that 39.6% of communications dispatchers have a bachelor's degree. In terms of higher education levels, we found that 3.1% of communications dispatchers have master's degrees. Even though some communications dispatchers have a college degree, it's possible to become one with only a high school degree or GED.
Communications Dispatcher Career Paths
As you move along in your career, you may start taking on more responsibilities or notice that you've taken on a leadership role. Using our career map, a communications dispatcher can determine their career goals through the career progression. For example, they could start out with a role such as dispatcher, progress to a title such as medical assistant and then eventually end up with the title office manager.
Average Salary for a Communications Dispatcher
What Am I Worth?
Roles and Types of Communications Dispatcher
There are several types of communications dispatcher, including:
Dispatcher
Role:
As a dispatcher, you'll most likely work in an emergency communication center called a public safety answering point. Since this is such an important position, you will be expected to be on-call to work evenings, weekends and even holidays. Also, don't be surprised if you have to work long 12-hour shifts occassionally. The people are depending on you!
- Average Salary: $35,328
- Degree: High School Diploma
Communications Officer
Role:
Most communications officers hold a bachelor's degree in communications, journalism, or a related field. However, most employers prefer two to five years of experience in a similar role. Candidates must possess interpersonal, time management, analytical, communication, computer, and organization skills. You must be familiar with content management systems and social media platforms. The annual salary ranges between $32,000 and $106,000, with an average of $58,184
- Average Salary: $40,161
- Degree: Bachelor's Degree
Telecommunication Operator
Role:
There are really no formal qualifications to become a telecommunications operator. Most employers, however, would prefer someone who has experience in the field. Many large companies and emergency services often provide on-the-job training. Bear in mind that his/her position demands outstanding oral communication skills and someone who must be able to work under pressure.
- Average Salary: $39,381
- Degree: Bachelor's Degree
States With The Most Communications Dispatcher Jobs
Mouse over a state to see the number of active communications dispatcher jobs in each state. The darker areas on the map show where communications dispatchers earn the highest salaries across all 50 states.
Number Of Communications Dispatcher Jobs By State
| Rank | State | Number of Jobs | Average Salary |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | California | 1,743 | $50,927 |
| 2 | Texas | 788 | $28,031 |
| 3 | New York | 759 | $37,934 |
| 4 | Florida | 591 | $27,443 |
| 5 | Virginia | 560 | $34,615 |
| 6 | Illinois | 508 | $46,935 |
| 7 | Massachusetts | 497 | $37,122 |
| 8 | Pennsylvania | 404 | $32,677 |
| 9 | Washington | 403 | $40,629 |
| 10 | North Carolina | 393 | $28,882 |
| 11 | Maryland | 392 | $35,157 |
| 12 | Georgia | 391 | $25,148 |
| 13 | New Jersey | 372 | $37,929 |
| 14 | Michigan | 315 | $34,396 |
| 15 | Colorado | 294 | $39,542 |
| 16 | Minnesota | 266 | $43,862 |
| 17 | Ohio | 257 | $28,437 |
| 18 | Arizona | 252 | $31,574 |
| 19 | Indiana | 244 | $31,724 |
| 20 | Missouri | 204 | $31,323 |
| 21 | Wisconsin | 201 | $38,291 |
| 22 | Tennessee | 184 | $26,400 |
| 23 | Oregon | 182 | $49,261 |
| 24 | Utah | 171 | $28,918 |
| 25 | Alabama | 153 | $26,636 |
| 26 | Connecticut | 149 | $41,523 |
| 27 | Louisiana | 140 | $25,614 |
| 28 | Iowa | 138 | $34,383 |
| 29 | Kentucky | 136 | $25,725 |
| 30 | South Carolina | 134 | $25,784 |
| 31 | Kansas | 117 | $38,380 |
| 32 | Delaware | 115 | $39,961 |
| 33 | Nevada | 115 | $36,397 |
| 34 | Oklahoma | 103 | $24,788 |
| 35 | Arkansas | 99 | $19,906 |
| 36 | Idaho | 98 | $30,457 |
| 37 | Nebraska | 96 | $32,838 |
| 38 | New Hampshire | 94 | $40,886 |
| 39 | Mississippi | 94 | $26,980 |
| 40 | New Mexico | 87 | $30,941 |
| 41 | Montana | 86 | $33,008 |
| 42 | Maine | 81 | $46,250 |
| 43 | Hawaii | 70 | $27,425 |
| 44 | West Virginia | 69 | $42,689 |
| 45 | North Dakota | 68 | $38,682 |
| 46 | South Dakota | 66 | $33,047 |
| 47 | Alaska | 63 | $34,670 |
| 48 | Vermont | 61 | $40,210 |
| 49 | Rhode Island | 60 | $40,610 |
| 50 | Wyoming | 54 | $40,641 |
Top Skills For a Communications Dispatcher
The skills section on your resume can be almost as important as the experience section, so you want it to be an accurate portrayal of what you can do. Luckily, we've found all of the skills you'll need so even if you don't have these skills yet, you know what you need to work on. Out of all the resumes we looked through, 11.8% of communications dispatchers listed computer aided dispatch on their resume, but soft skills such as ability to multitask and empathy are important as well.
Choose From 10+ Customizable Communications Dispatcher Resume templates
Zippia allows you to choose from different easy-to-use Communications Dispatcher templates, and provides you with expert advice. Using the templates, you can rest assured that the structure and format of your Communications Dispatcher resume is top notch. Choose a template with the colors, fonts & text sizes that are appropriate for your industry.
Communications Dispatcher Demographics
Communications Dispatcher Gender Distribution
After extensive research and analysis, Zippia's data science team found that:
- Among communications dispatchers, 70.4% of them are women, while 29.6% are men.
- The most common race/ethnicity among communications dispatchers is White, which makes up 72.1% of all communications dispatchers.
- The most common foreign language among communications dispatchers is Spanish at 88.2%.
Online Courses For Communications Dispatcher That You May Like
1. Communicating During Global Emergencies
In collaboration with the Rollins School of Public Health and the CDC's Division of Global Health Protection, Emergency Response, and Recovery Branch, this course introduces basic concepts and principles of communicating during a global crisis or emergency. It explores why communication during an emergency is different and the importance of adapting emergency messages to the needs of affected populations. Through sample scenarios, you will get the opportunity to identify information needs and...
See More on Coursera2. Disaster, Crisis, and Emergency Preparedness Communication
This course will introduce you to basic concepts of emergency management, planning, and crisis risk communication. You will understand the definitions of and operational challenges associated with disasters and public health emergencies. You will identify important components of risk communication, and you will identify and evaluate the ways social characteristics shape vulnerabilities to crises and health outcomes. In completing this course, you will begin to learn about the nature of...
See More on Coursera3. Wireless Communications for Everybody
This course will provide an introduction and history of cellular communication systems that have changed our lives during the recent four decades and will become an essential and inseparable part of human life. The principles of wireless communication theory are covered with emphasis on the essential concept delivery to non-major learners in the easiest way. Then, it will be covered how such principles are realized and how multimedia services can be delivered in practical LTE cellular systems...
See More on CourseraBest States For a Communications Dispatcher
Some places are better than others when it comes to starting a career as a communications dispatcher. The best states for people in this position are California, Oregon, Illinois, and Maine. Communications dispatchers make the most in California with an average salary of $50,927. Whereas in Oregon and Illinois, they would average $49,261 and $46,935, respectively. While communications dispatchers would only make an average of $46,250 in Maine, you would still make more there than in the rest of the country. We determined these as the best states based on job availability and pay. By finding the median salary, cost of living, and using the Bureau of Labor Statistics' Location Quotient, we narrowed down our list of states to these four.
1. Maine
$46,250
Avg. Salary
2. California
$50,927
Avg. Salary
3. Wyoming
$40,641
Avg. Salary
How Do Communications Dispatcher Rate Their Jobs?
Top Communications Dispatcher Employers
Most Common Employers For Communications Dispatcher
| Rank | Company | Average Salary | Hourly Rate | Job Openings |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | City of El Paso, Texas - Municipal Government | $42,491 | $20.43 | 3 |
| 2 | Broward Sheriff's Office | $40,970 | $19.70 | 3 |
| 3 | San Bernardino County | $40,523 | $19.48 | 8 |
| 4 | Salem State University | $40,504 | $19.47 | 4 |
| 5 | Iowa Department of Transportation | $39,700 | $19.09 | 11 |
| 6 | Hillsboro County Sheriff | $39,542 | $19.01 | 7 |
| 7 | MCLA | $38,879 | $18.69 | 3 |
| 8 | Municipal Court-Criminal Div | $38,820 | $18.66 | 5 |
| 9 | Framingham State University | $37,998 | $18.27 | 5 |
| 10 | Atlanta Police Department | $37,443 | $18.00 | 15 |
Communications Dispatcher Videos
