Dispatcher vs call taker

The differences between dispatchers and call takers can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. Additionally, a call taker has an average salary of $38,776, which is higher than the $35,328 average annual salary of a dispatcher.

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

Dispatcher vs call taker overview

	Dispatcher	Call Taker
Yearly salary	$35,328	$38,776
Hourly rate	$16.98	$18.64
Growth rate	4%	4%
Number of jobs	5,818	11,539
Job satisfaction	4.25	-
Most common degree	High School Diploma, 33%	High School Diploma, 30%
Average age	43	39
Years of experience	2	-

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.

What does a call taker do?

A call taker works at a call or dispatch center, where they are primarily in charge of answering calls, identifying the callers' needs, and coordinating services to assist them right away. Although their responsibilities depend on their company or industry of employment, it usually involves answering inquiries, processing requests, arranging appointments or reservations, and handling issues and concerns, resolving them promptly and efficiently. When it comes to employment, a call taker may work for 911 dispatch centers, taxi companies, towing services, and private hotlines.

Dispatcher vs call taker salary

Dispatchers and call takers have different pay scales, as shown below.

	Dispatcher	Call Taker
Average salary	$35,328	$38,776
Salary range	Between $27,000 And $44,000	Between $29,000 And $51,000
Highest paying City	Seattle, WA	San Mateo, CA
Highest paying state	Alaska	California
Best paying company	Mt. San Antonio College	City of San Antonio
Best paying industry	Government	Government

Differences between dispatcher and call taker education

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

	Dispatcher	Call Taker
Most common degree	High School Diploma, 33%	High School Diploma, 30%
Most common major	Business	Criminal Justice
Most common college	-	-

Dispatcher vs call taker demographics

Here are the differences between dispatchers' and call takers' demographics:

	Dispatcher	Call Taker
Average age	43	39
Gender ratio	Male, 38.1% Female, 61.9%	Male, 26.0% Female, 74.0%
Race ratio	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%	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%
LGBT Percentage	7%	17%

Differences between dispatcher and call taker duties and responsibilities

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.

Show more

Call taker example responsibilities.

Manage truck and equipment inventory, rental tracking and GPS monitoring.
Dispatch all patrol officers and fire departments.
Enter confidential info through NCIC directly under SLED/FBI.
Place outbound calls to advise members of eta.
Dispatch need help such as fire ems and law.
Receive emergency calls and route calls to patrol units.

Show more

Dispatcher vs call taker skills

Common dispatcher skills

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

Common call taker skills

Computer Aided Dispatch, 15%
Taker, 13%
CAD, 8%
Data Entry, 5%
Customer Service, 5%
EMS, 4%

Dispatcher vs. similar jobs

Dispatcher related careers

Dispatcher related jobs

Dispatcher jobs by location

Updated January 8, 2025

Browse office and administrative jobs

A
B
C
D
E
F
G
H
I
J
K
L
M
N
O
P
Q
R
S
T
U
V
W
X
Y
Z