How To Become A Dispatch Coordinator: What It Is and Career Path

What is a dispatch coordinator and how to become one

Updated January 8, 2025

4 min read

Dispatch coordinators work in emergency dispatch centers or delivery companies to ensure proper dispatching of vehicles or services. In emergency centers, they are in charge of dispatching police, fire trucks, and ambulances to the site of the emergency. In delivery or trucking companies, on the other hand, dispatch coordinators are responsible for managing shipment schedules, delivery routes, and vehicle maintenance.

Whichever industry they may work in, dispatch coordinators provide timely responses to whoever is in need of the company or organization's services. That said, this job entails a high level of mental alertness and excellent skills in both written and verbal communication.

The educational requirement for this role is not strict, as most employers only look for a high school diploma or GED. What they do deem as most important is prior experience in a similar role, be it an entry-level dispatcher or a coordinator. Moreover, employers want candidates that are excellent communicators, time managers, and team players.

If you manage to attain this role, you can expect an average salary of $33,000, depending on the type of industry you're working for (emergency services or transportation), as well as your level of experience.

ScoreDispatch CoordinatorUS Average

Salary

3.0

Avg. Salary $38,470

Avg. Salary $59,228

Stability level

8.4

Growth rate 4%

Growth rate 0.3%

Diversity

8.8

Race

American Indian and Alaska Native 0.91%

Asian 3.85%

Black or African American 10.27%

Hispanic or Latino 17.51%

Unknown 5.06%

White 62.40%

Gender

female 54.20%

male 45.80%

Age - 44

Race

American Indian and Alaska Native 3.00%

Asian 7.00%

Black or African American 14.00%

Hispanic or Latino 19.00%

White 57.00%

Gender

female 47.00%

male 53.00%

Age - 44

Stress level

8.4

Stress level is high

7.1 - high

Complexity level

5.2

Complexity level is intermediate

7 - challenging

Work life balance

5.0

Work life balance is fair

6.4 - fair

Key steps to become a dispatch coordinator

Explore dispatch coordinator education requirements

Most common dispatch coordinator degrees

Bachelor's

36.6 %

Associate

29.1 %

High School Diploma

20.9 %

Start to develop specific dispatch coordinator skills

Skills	Percentages
Customer Service	33.08%
Data Entry	7.16%
Customer Inquiries	4.67%
Delivery Appointments	4.16%
Windows	3.97%

Complete relevant dispatch coordinator training and internships

Accountants spend an average of 1-3 months on post-employment, on-the-job training. New dispatch coordinators learn the skills and techniques required for their job and employer during this time. The chart below shows how long it takes to gain competency as a dispatch coordinator based on U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics data and data from real dispatch coordinator resumes.

Research dispatch coordinator duties and responsibilities

Manage high volume of data entry A/R invoices and mail out invoices to customers.
Manage the customer relationship and expectations, communicate effectively, and troubleshoot and resolve technical issues.
Enter loads into AS400 system.
Dispatch drivers to customers using AS400.

Prepare your dispatch coordinator resume

When your background is strong enough, you can start writing your dispatch coordinator resume.

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