Explore jobs
Find specific jobs
Explore careers
Explore professions
Best companies
Explore companies
Communications operator salary
Average communications operator salary
$15.14
Average Communications Operator Salary
The average salary for a Communications Operator stands at approximately $31,491 annually, translating to roughly $15 per hour. This role is essential in various sectors, including telecommunications and emergency services, where clear communication is critical.
Factors Influencing Salaries
Salaries can vary based on several factors:
- Location: States with higher living costs often offer better compensation.
- Experience: More experienced operators typically earn higher wages.
- Industry: Certain industries, such as emergency services, may provide higher salaries due to the nature of the work.
As you explore job opportunities, consider these factors to maximize your earning potential and make informed career decisions.
Let Zippia find your next communications operator job
Let Zippia find your next communications operator job
Where can a Communications Operator earn more?
Communications operator salary estimates from across the web
Average communications operator salary by state
The highest-paying states for communications operators are California, New York, and Minnesota. The lowest average communications operator salary states are Georgia, Louisiana, and North Carolina.
- State view
- County view
Highest paying states for communications operators
| Rank | State | Avg. salary | Hourly rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Rhode Island | $36,891 | $17.74 |
| 2 | Massachusetts | $36,884 | $17.73 |
| 3 | Wyoming | $35,699 | $17.16 |
| 4 | New York | $38,915 | $18.71 |
| 5 | California | $41,854 | $20.12 |
| 6 | Maine | $36,601 | $17.60 |
| 7 | Vermont | $36,658 | $17.62 |
| 8 | Delaware | $35,270 | $16.96 |
| 9 | New Hampshire | $36,893 | $17.74 |
| 10 | Minnesota | $37,990 | $18.26 |
| 11 | Connecticut | $36,628 | $17.61 |
| 12 | Nevada | $33,811 | $16.26 |
| 13 | Idaho | $33,552 | $16.13 |
| 14 | West Virginia | $33,262 | $15.99 |
| 15 | District of Columbia | $34,359 | $16.52 |
| 16 | Pennsylvania | $34,510 | $16.59 |
| 17 | Washington | $33,542 | $16.13 |
| 18 | New Jersey | $32,034 | $15.40 |
| 19 | Oregon | $33,007 | $15.87 |
| 20 | South Dakota | $30,264 | $14.55 |
| 21 | Alaska | $30,813 | $14.81 |
| 22 | Montana | $30,399 | $14.61 |
| 23 | Michigan | $31,581 | $15.18 |
| 24 | Kentucky | $31,313 | $15.05 |
| 25 | Illinois | $32,307 | $15.53 |
| 26 | Maryland | $30,793 | $14.80 |
| 27 | Wisconsin | $31,235 | $15.02 |
| 28 | Colorado | $30,709 | $14.76 |
| 29 | Hawaii | $28,496 | $13.70 |
| 30 | Iowa | $29,723 | $14.29 |
| 31 | Nebraska | $29,466 | $14.17 |
| 32 | New Mexico | $29,074 | $13.98 |
| 33 | Kansas | $29,518 | $14.19 |
| 34 | Ohio | $30,295 | $14.56 |
| 35 | North Dakota | $26,872 | $12.92 |
| 36 | Indiana | $28,899 | $13.89 |
| 37 | Virginia | $27,468 | $13.21 |
| 38 | Utah | $27,163 | $13.06 |
| 39 | Arkansas | $27,568 | $13.25 |
| 40 | Arizona | $26,779 | $12.87 |
| 41 | Missouri | $28,097 | $13.51 |
| 42 | Alabama | $26,885 | $12.93 |
| 43 | Texas | $25,180 | $12.11 |
| 44 | Tennessee | $25,926 | $12.46 |
| 45 | Louisiana | $24,374 | $11.72 |
| 46 | Mississippi | $23,047 | $11.08 |
| 47 | North Carolina | $23,756 | $11.42 |
| 48 | Georgia | $24,882 | $11.96 |
| 49 | South Carolina | $25,184 | $12.11 |
| 50 | Florida | $22,672 | $10.90 |
| 51 | Oklahoma | $21,312 | $10.25 |
Highest paying cities for communications operators
The highest-paying cities for communications operators are San Francisco, CA, Everett, MA, and Carson City, NV.
| Rank | City | Avg. salary | Hourly rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | San Francisco, CA | $43,414 | $20.87 |
| 2 | Everett, MA | $36,923 | $17.75 |
| 3 | Carson City, NV | $34,822 | $16.74 |
| 4 | Washington, DC | $34,386 | $16.53 |
| 5 | Harrisburg, PA | $34,383 | $16.53 |
| 6 | Bellingham, WA | $33,782 | $16.24 |
| 7 | Medford, OR | $33,227 | $15.97 |
| 8 | Skokie, IL | $32,606 | $15.68 |
| 9 | Huntington, WV | $32,427 | $15.59 |
| 10 | Newark, NJ | $32,117 | $15.44 |
| 11 | Kenosha, WI | $31,013 | $14.91 |
| 12 | Denver, CO | $30,739 | $14.78 |
| 13 | Annapolis, MD | $30,704 | $14.76 |
| 14 | Dubuque, IA | $30,283 | $14.56 |
| 15 | Rapid City, SD | $29,903 | $14.38 |
| 16 | Kearney, NE | $29,134 | $14.01 |
| 17 | Manassas, VA | $28,460 | $13.68 |
| 18 | Alabaster, AL | $26,914 | $12.94 |
| 19 | Fargo, ND | $26,907 | $12.94 |
| 20 | Lubbock, TX | $26,258 | $12.62 |
Communications operator salary details
A communications operator's salary ranges from $24,000 a year at the 10th percentile to $40,000 at the 90th percentile.
What is a communications operator's salary?
| Percentile | Annual salary | Monthly salary | Hourly rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| 90th Percentile | $40,000 | $3,333 | $19 |
| 75th Percentile | $36,000 | $3,000 | $17 |
| Average | $31,491 | $2,624 | $15 |
| 25th Percentile | $27,000 | $2,250 | $13 |
| 10th Percentile | $24,000 | $2,000 | $12 |
Highest paying communications operator jobs
The highest paying types of communications operators are supervisor of communications, communications officer, and operations/dispatch.
| Job title | Annual salary | Monthly salary | Hourly rate | Job openings |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Public Safety Dispatcher | $35,063 | $2,922 | $16.86 | 25,700 |
| Police Dispatcher | $37,402 | $3,117 | $17.98 | 6,964 |
| Operations/Dispatch | $39,483 | $3,290 | $18.98 | 60,313 |
| Switchboard Operator | $31,281 | $2,607 | $15.04 | 39,152 |
| PBX Operator | $29,942 | $2,495 | $14.40 | 30,866 |
| Operator | $37,928 | $3,161 | $18.23 | 159,077 |
Top companies hiring communications operators now:
Which companies pay communications operators the most?
Communications operator salaries at City of Round Rock and New York State Restaurant Association are the highest-paying according to our most recent salary estimates. In addition, the average communications operator salary at companies like City of Houston and City of Visalia are highly competitive.
| Rank | Company | Average salary | Hourly rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| 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 |
| 4 | City of Visalia | $39,287 | $18.89 |
| 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 |
| 9 | Hackensack Meridian Health | $35,904 | $17.26 |
| 10 | Four Seasons Hotels and Resorts | $35,532 | $17.08 |
| 11 | City of Edinburg | $35,509 | $17.07 |
| 12 | City of Vallejo | $34,830 | $16.75 |
| 13 | City of Huntington, WV | $34,819 | $16.74 |
| 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 |
Wage gap by gender, race and education
Communications Operator salary by industry
The average communications operator salary varies across industries:
- The average communications operator salary in the government industry is $37,079, the highest of any industry.
- The average communications operator salary in the finance industry is $30,925.
- Communications operators in the hospitality industry earn an average salary of $30,743, the lowest of any industry.
Highest paying industries for communications operators
| Rank | Industry | Average salary | Hourly rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Government | $37,079 | $17.83 |
| 2 | Professional | $30,925 | $14.87 |
| 3 | Health Care | $30,821 | $14.82 |
| 4 | Hospitality | $30,743 | $14.78 |
High paying communications operator jobs
Communications operator salary trends
The average communications operator salary has risen by $6,122 over the last ten years. In 2014, the average communications operator earned $25,369 annually, but today, they earn $31,491 a year. That works out to a 12% change in pay for communications operators over the last decade.
Compare communications operator salaries for cities or states with the national average over time.
Average communications operator salary over time
Compare communications operator salaries for individual cities or states with the national average.
Communications operator salary by year
| Year | Avg. salary | Hourly rate | % Change |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 | $31,500 | $15.14 | +2.6% |
| 2025 | $30,700 | $14.74 | +3.9% |
| 2024 | $29,500 | $14.17 | +2.4% |
| 2023 | $28,800 | $13.82 | +2.3% |
| 2022 | $28,100 | $13.50 | +2.1% |
Recently added communications operator salaries
| Company | Job | Location | Date added | Salary |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sutterhealth | Communication Operator I | Modesto, CA | 06/30/2025 | $51,778 |
| Broward County Sheriff's Office | 911 Communications Operator Trainee | Fort Lauderdale, FL | 06/28/2025 | $60,313 |
| Maricopa Integrated Health System | Communications Operator | Phoenix, AZ | 06/28/2025 | $32,557 |
| Linn County, Ia | Communications Operator (911 Public Safety) | Cedar Rapids, IA | 06/28/2025 | $61,110 |
| Hilton | Communications Operator-Palmer House Hilton | Chicago, IL | 06/27/2025 | $40,550 |
| Valleywise Health | Communications Operator | Phoenix, AZ | 06/26/2025 | $32,557 |
| Nycbs New York Cancer and Blood Specialists | Patient Communications Operator | Ridge, NY | 06/26/2025 | $41,740 |
| Aurora Health Care | Communications Operator | Sheboygan, WI | 06/25/2025 | $38,610 |
| City of Suffolk | Communications Operator-New | Suffolk, VA | 06/25/2025 | $50,426 |
| Nj Department of Environmental Protection | Communications Operator | Trenton, NJ | 06/24/2025 | $43,620 |
Communications operator salary FAQs
Search for communications operator jobs