Communications dispatcher vs supervisor of communications

The differences between communications dispatchers and supervisors of communications can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. Additionally, a supervisor of communications has an average salary of $63,064, 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 supervisor of communications are patients, developmental disabilities, and powerpoint.

Communications dispatcher vs supervisor of communications overview

	Communications Dispatcher	Supervisor Of Communications
Yearly salary	$35,153	$63,064
Hourly rate	$16.90	$30.32
Growth rate	4%	12%
Number of jobs	19,172	16,853
Job satisfaction	-	-
Most common degree	Bachelor's Degree, 40%	Bachelor's Degree, 56%
Average age	39	43
Years of experience	-	12

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 supervisor of communications do?

The communications supervisor handles all internal and external communications of the company. This supervisor focuses on ensuring all communications are disseminated efficiently throughout the company. The communications supervisor also works on maintaining the image of the company through press releases, correspondence with customers, attractive quotations and witty lines for advertising, and many more. Through the communications supervisor, the company develops its voice to the public and establishes its face in the market.

Communications dispatcher vs supervisor of communications salary

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

	Communications Dispatcher	Supervisor Of Communications
Average salary	$35,153	$63,064
Salary range	Between $26,000 And $47,000	Between $42,000 And $93,000
Highest paying City	Santa Rosa, CA	Minneapolis, MN
Highest paying state	California	New Hampshire
Best paying company	City of Richmond	AbbVie
Best paying industry	Government	Manufacturing

Differences between communications dispatcher and supervisor of communications education

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

	Communications Dispatcher	Supervisor Of Communications
Most common degree	Bachelor's Degree, 40%	Bachelor's Degree, 56%
Most common major	Criminal Justice	Business
Most common college	-	Northwestern University

Communications dispatcher vs supervisor of communications demographics

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

	Communications Dispatcher	Supervisor Of Communications
Average age	39	43
Gender ratio	Male, 29.6% Female, 70.4%	Male, 54.8% Female, 45.2%
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, 11.8% Unknown, 4.8% Hispanic or Latino, 18.5% Asian, 6.5% White, 56.7% American Indian and Alaska Native, 1.8%
LGBT Percentage	17%	11%

Differences between communications dispatcher and supervisor of communications 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.

Supervisor of communications example responsibilities.

Develop and manage charitable services program with prescription assistance for patients ineligible for state or federal coverage.
Manage, create and edit internal and external communication collateral, providing high-level management copywriting and document creation support.
Operate a multi channel radio as well as the computer aid dispatch system (cad) and the NCIC computer systems.
Certify in both EMD and EFD.
Assist customers with over the phone EMD instructions.
Train and direct team members in both reservations and PBX departments.

Communications dispatcher vs supervisor of communications skills

Common communications dispatcher skills

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

Common supervisor of communications skills

Patients, 16%
Developmental Disabilities, 10%
PowerPoint, 6%
CPR, 6%
CAD, 5%
EMS, 4%

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Communications Dispatcher
Communications Dispatcher vs Supervisor Of Communications

Updated January 8, 2025

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