Communications dispatcher vs dispatcher

The differences between communications dispatchers and dispatchers can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. Additionally, a dispatcher has an average salary of $35,328, which is higher than the $35,153 average annual salary of a communications dispatcher.

The top three skills for a communications dispatcher include computer aided dispatch, CAD and emergency situations. The most important skills for a dispatcher are customer service, data entry, and computer aided dispatch.

Communications dispatcher vs dispatcher overview

	Communications Dispatcher	Dispatcher
Yearly salary	$35,153	$35,328
Hourly rate	$16.90	$16.98
Growth rate	4%	4%
Number of jobs	19,172	5,818
Job satisfaction	-	4.25
Most common degree	Bachelor's Degree, 40%	High School Diploma, 33%
Average age	39	43
Years of experience	-	2

What does a communications dispatcher do?

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.

What does a dispatcher do?

Dispatchers are generally responsible for coordinating with the customers regarding the delivery status of the products and providing precise logistics and the fastest transportation routes to the professional drivers to ensure smooth and timely deliveries. A dispatcher is required to monitor the driver's location, strictly track road situations at all times to provide real-time updates for the customers, and advise the driver for alternative routes. Dispatchers also need to address possible customer complaints and process scheduling accurately to avoid inconsistencies in the delivery time.

Communications dispatcher vs dispatcher salary

Communications dispatchers and dispatchers have different pay scales, as shown below.

	Communications Dispatcher	Dispatcher
Average salary	$35,153	$35,328
Salary range	Between $26,000 And $47,000	Between $27,000 And $44,000
Highest paying City	Santa Rosa, CA	Seattle, WA
Highest paying state	California	Alaska
Best paying company	City of Richmond	Mt. San Antonio College
Best paying industry	Government	Government

Differences between communications dispatcher and dispatcher education

There are a few differences between a communications dispatcher and a dispatcher in terms of educational background:

	Communications Dispatcher	Dispatcher
Most common degree	Bachelor's Degree, 40%	High School Diploma, 33%
Most common major	Criminal Justice	Business
Most common college	-	-

Communications dispatcher vs dispatcher demographics

Here are the differences between communications dispatchers' and dispatchers' demographics:

	Communications Dispatcher	Dispatcher
Average age	39	43
Gender ratio	Male, 29.6% Female, 70.4%	Male, 38.1% Female, 61.9%
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 communications dispatcher and dispatcher duties and responsibilities

Communications dispatcher example responsibilities.

Manage Facebook page and create event page for grand opening.
Provide first aid, CPR and emergency oxygen as required.
Provide telephone service on the TDD communication device for the deaf and hearing impair.
Respond verbally and used TDD (text telephone device for hearing or speech impair) to communicate with callers when need.
Maintain composure and compassion while handling emergency and non-emergency calls from a diverse community
Coordinate the response of ambulances and public safety units to emergency sites or in-progress crime situations.

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Dispatcher example responsibilities.

Manage accounts payable (A/P) and accounts receivable (A/R) using QuickBooks.
Manage dot hrs for drivers as far as what tasks can be done in a certain amount of time.
Manage customer service satisfaction by providing update eta and location of drivers.
Dispatch police fire and ems.
Dispatch district security patrol officers to assist district employees, students and residents with emergency situations.
Earn CDL with passenger endorsement.

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Communications dispatcher vs dispatcher skills

Common communications dispatcher skills

Computer Aided Dispatch, 12%
CAD, 8%
Emergency Situations, 5%
CPR, 5%
Dispatch System, 5%
Good Judgment, 5%

Common dispatcher skills

Customer Service, 34%
Data Entry, 8%
Computer Aided Dispatch, 4%
Non-Emergency Calls, 4%
Emergency Situations, 3%
EMS, 3%

Communications Dispatcher vs. similar jobs

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Updated January 8, 2025

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