How to hire a communications operator

How to hire a communications operator, step by step

Here's a step-by-step communications operator hiring guide:

• Step 1: Identify your hiring needs
• Step 2: Create an ideal candidate profile
• Step 3: Make a budget
• Step 4: Write a communications operator job description
• Step 5: Post your job
• Step 6: Interview candidates
• Step 7: Send a job offer and onboard your new communications operator
• Step 8: Go through the hiring process checklist

What does a communications operator do?

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1. Identify your hiring needs

   Before you start hiring a communications operator, identify what type of worker you actually need. Certain positions might call for a full-time employee, while others can be done by a part-time worker or contractor.

   Determine employee vs contractor status

   Is the person you're thinking of hiring a US citizen or green card holder?

   Yes

   No

   A communications operator's background is also an important factor in determining whether they'll be a good fit for the position. For example, communications operators from different industries or fields will have radically different experiences and will bring different viewpoints to the role. You also need to consider the candidate's previous level of experience to make sure they'll be comfortable with the job's level of seniority.

   Here's a comparison of communications operator salaries for various roles:

   Type of Communications Operator	Description	Hourly rate
   Communications Operator		$11-19
   Public Safety Dispatcher	A public safety dispatcher is primarily responsible for handling emergency or non-emergency calls from the public. They are in charge of identifying the caller's needs calmly and proactively, dispatching law enforcement officers or emergency responders at the scene in a timely and efficient manner... Show more	$12-22
   Police Dispatcher	Police Dispatchers are responsible for assessing incoming calls and deploying police resources using professional judgment. Their duties include answering emergency calls from agencies and the public, gathering information from police systems and call handlers, conducting priority assessments based on vulnerability and risks, and liaising with police officers to determine the logistics of place and time of an incident lodged... Show more	$13-23

   Show more

2. Create an ideal candidate profile

   Common skills:

   • Patients
   • Customer Service
   • Emergency Situations
   • PBX
   • Public Safety
   • Non-Emergency Calls
   • Computer Aided Dispatch
   • Telephone Calls
   • Phone Calls
   • Data Entry
   • Office Equipment
   • Stressful Situations
   • Computer System
   • Two-Way Radio

   Check all skills

   Responsibilities:

   • Manage busy company switchboard, operating PBX or private branch exchange systems to facilitate connections.
   • Perform NCIC, DMV, warrant and missing person checks for police officers in the field.
   • Supervise telecommunication operations and reinforce the confidentiality in telecommunications.
   • Dispatch ambulances, tow trucks, fire department, aid cars, and other aid as requested, maintain appropriate record.
   • Utilize``new media,``including blogging, a collective photo site, intellipedia, and instant messaging.
   • Work dispatch for DPS Pecos and DPS San Angelo ,

   More communications operator duties

3. Make a budget

   Including a salary range in your communications operator job description is one of the best ways to attract top talent. A communications operator can vary based on:

   • Location. For example, communications operators' average salary in oklahoma is 49% less than in california.
   • Seniority. Entry-level communications operators 40% less than senior-level communications operators.
   • Certifications. A communications operator with certifications usually earns a higher salary.
   • Company. Working for an established firm or a new start-up company can make a big difference in a communications operator's salary.

   Average communications operator salary

   $15.14hourly

   $31,491 yearly

   ---

   Entry-level communications operator salary

   $24,000 yearly salary

   Updated January 21, 2026

   Average communications operator salary by state

   Rank	State	Avg. salary	Hourly rate
   1	California	$43,414	$21
   2	Massachusetts	$36,923	$18
   3	Nevada	$34,822	$17
   4	District of Columbia	$34,386	$17
   5	Pennsylvania	$34,383	$17
   6	Washington	$33,782	$16
   7	Oregon	$33,227	$16
   8	Illinois	$32,606	$16
   9	West Virginia	$32,427	$16
   10	New Jersey	$32,117	$15
   11	Wisconsin	$31,013	$15
   12	Colorado	$30,739	$15
   13	Maryland	$30,704	$15
   14	Iowa	$30,283	$15
   15	South Dakota	$29,903	$14
   16	Nebraska	$29,134	$14
   17	Virginia	$28,460	$14
   18	Alabama	$26,914	$13
   19	North Dakota	$26,907	$13
   20	Texas	$26,258	$13

   Average communications operator salary by company

   Company

   Rank	Company	Average salary	Hourly rate	Job openings
   1	City of Round Rock	$42,490	$20.43
   2	New York State Restaurant Association	$41,152	$19.78
   3	City of Houston	$39,983	$19.22	3
   4	City of Visalia	$39,287	$18.89	1
   5	Commonwealth Of Pennsylvania	$37,376	$17.97
   6	American Axle & Manufacturing	$37,165	$17.87
   7	City of Santa Monica	$36,851	$17.72
   8	Children's National Medical Center	$35,974	$17.30	1
   9	Hackensack Meridian Health	$35,904	$17.26	12
   10	Four Seasons Hotels and Resorts	$35,532	$17.08	1
   11	City of Edinburg	$35,509	$17.07	1
   12	City of Vallejo	$34,830	$16.75	2
   13	City of Huntington, WV	$34,819	$16.74	6
   14	Sutter Health	$34,637	$16.65
   15	Mercy Corps	$34,637	$16.65
   16	City of Coral Gables	$34,508	$16.59
   17	City Of Greenville	$34,488	$16.58
   18	Carson City Nevada	$34,448	$16.56
   19	Huntington Hospital	$34,001	$16.35
   20	City of Henderson	$33,604	$16.16	2

4. Writing a communications operator job description

   A communications operator job description should include a summary of the role, required skills, and a list of responsibilities. It's also good to include a salary range and the first name of the hiring manager. To help get you started, here's an example of a communications operator job description:

   Communications operator job description example

   Screen all 9-1-1 calls and Blue Phone emergency business lines to determine the appropriate level of service needed in emergency and non-emergency situations.Receives and transmits radio communications to dispatch police, fire, EMS and other appropriate personnel as required.
   
   Monitor security and fire alarms and closely observe CCTV screens for situations needing intervention by guards, police officers, or fire department and request assistance as necessary.Enters, updates and retrieves information from teletype networks and computerized data systems regarding such things as wanted persons, stolen property and stolen vehicles.
   
   Receives and responds to requests from police officers for various criminal justice information utilizing various law enforcement and criminal justice computer terminals and data systems. Utilizes the Computer Assisted Dispatch operating system to log and record call sheet information ensuring that all entries are accurate, thorough and error free.Perform other duties as assigned.
   Major/Essential Functions
   
   Performs law enforcement services on a 24-hour basis and receives, processes, and transmits public safety information and criminal justice data for the Texas Tech Police Department by using a base radio on a public safety frequency regulated by the Federal Communications Commission or by another method of communication.
   
   Required Qualifications
   
   Requires completion of high school or equivalent. Must be a U.S. citizen with a valid drivers license who is at least 18 years of age. Must be able to pass a thorough background investigation, physical examination, and psychological examination.
   
   Preferred Qualifications
   
   Possess a Basic Telecommunicator Proficiency License from the Texas Commission on Law Enforcement (TCOLE). The ability to work independently with minimal supervision, exercising good judgment in the safeguarding of confidential or sensitive information and perform detailed work with a high degree of accuracy, at times during stressful situations.Must be willing to work nights and weekends as assigned.
   
   Occasional Duties
   
   Prepare, process and issue identification badges to faculty, staff and employees ensuring that proper authorization and identification are presented.

   Copy this example

   

5. Post your job

   There are a few common ways to find communications operators for your business:

   • Promoting internally or recruiting from your existing workforce.
   • Ask for referrals from friends, family members, and current employees.
   • Attend job fairs at local colleges to meet candidates with the right educational background.
   • Use social media platforms like LinkedIn, Facebook, and Twitter to recruit passive job-seekers.

   Post your job online:

   • Post your communications operator job on Zippia to find and recruit communications operator candidates who meet your exact specifications.
   • Use field-specific websites.
   • Post a job on free websites.

6. Interview candidates

   During your first interview to recruit communications operators, engage with candidates to learn about their interest in the role and experience in the field. During the following interview, you'll be able to go into more detail about the company, the position, and the responsibilities.

   It's also good to ask about candidates' unique skills and talents to see if they match your ideal candidate profile. If you think a candidate is good enough for the next step, you can move on to the technical interview.

   The right interview questions can help you assess a candidate's hard skills, behavioral intelligence, and soft skills.

7. Send a job offer and onboard your new communications operator

   Once you've decided on a perfect communications operator candidate, it's time to write an offer letter. In addition to salary, it should include benefits and perks available to the employee. Qualified candidates may be considered for other positions, so make sure your offer is competitive. Candidates may wish to negotiate. Once you've settled on the details, formalize your agreement with a contract.

   It's equally important to follow up with applicants who don't get the job with an email letting them know that the position has been filled.

   Once that's done, you can draft an onboarding schedule for the new communications operator. Human Resources should complete Employee Action Forms and ensure that onboarding paperwork is completed, including I-9s, benefits enrollment, federal and state tax forms, etc. They should also ensure that new employee files are created for internal recordkeeping.

8. Go through the hiring process checklist

   • Determine employee type (full-time, part-time, contractor, etc.)
   • Submit a job requisition form to the HR department
   • Define job responsibilities and requirements
   • Establish budget and timeline
   • Determine hiring decision makers for the role
   • Write job description
   • Post job on job boards, company website, etc.
   • Promote the job internally
   • Process applications through applicant tracking system
   • Review resumes and cover letters
   • Shortlist candidates for screening
   • Hold phone/virtual interview screening with first round of candidates
   • Conduct in-person interviews with top candidates from first round
   • Score candidates based on weighted criteria (e.g., experience, education, background, cultural fit, skill set, etc.)
   • Conduct background checks on top candidates
   • Check references of top candidates
   • Consult with HR and hiring decision makers on job offer specifics
   • Extend offer to top candidate(s)
   • Receive formal job offer acceptance and signed employment contract
   • Inform other candidates that the position has been filled
   • Set and communicate onboarding schedule to new hire(s)
   • Complete new hire paperwork (i9, benefits enrollment, tax forms, etc.)

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How much does it cost to hire a communications operator?