Dispatcher vs dispatch coordinator

The differences between dispatchers and dispatch coordinators can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. It typically takes 1-2 years to become both a dispatcher and a dispatch coordinator. Additionally, a dispatch coordinator has an average salary of $38,470, 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 dispatch coordinator are customer service, data entry, and customer inquiries.

Dispatcher vs dispatch coordinator overview

	Dispatcher	Dispatch Coordinator
Yearly salary	$35,328	$38,470
Hourly rate	$16.98	$18.50
Growth rate	4%	4%
Number of jobs	5,818	16,930
Job satisfaction	4.25	-
Most common degree	High School Diploma, 33%	Bachelor's Degree, 37%
Average age	43	43
Years of experience	2	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 dispatch coordinator do?

A dispatch coordinator is primarily in charge of dispatching and tracking vehicles that provide different services. The extent of their duties varies upon their industry or institution of employment. In emergency dispatch centers, they answer calls from the public and coordinate police cars, ambulances, or fire trucks to respond to emergencies, all while staying on the line with the caller. A dispatch coordinator may also work trucking or delivery companies where they are in charge of coordinating shipping details and schedules, managing routes, and monitoring the vehicles.

Dispatcher vs dispatch coordinator salary

Dispatchers and dispatch coordinators have different pay scales, as shown below.

	Dispatcher	Dispatch Coordinator
Average salary	$35,328	$38,470
Salary range	Between $27,000 And $44,000	Between $30,000 And $47,000
Highest paying City	Seattle, WA	Bellingham, WA
Highest paying state	Alaska	Alaska
Best paying company	Mt. San Antonio College	Balfour Beatty plc
Best paying industry	Government	Finance

Differences between dispatcher and dispatch coordinator education

There are a few differences between a dispatcher and a dispatch coordinator in terms of educational background:

	Dispatcher	Dispatch Coordinator
Most common degree	High School Diploma, 33%	Bachelor's Degree, 37%
Most common major	Business	Business
Most common college	-	-

Dispatcher vs dispatch coordinator demographics

Here are the differences between dispatchers' and dispatch coordinators' demographics:

	Dispatcher	Dispatch Coordinator
Average age	43	43
Gender ratio	Male, 38.1% Female, 61.9%	Male, 45.8% Female, 54.2%
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, 10.3% Unknown, 5.1% Hispanic or Latino, 17.5% Asian, 3.8% White, 62.4% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.9%
LGBT Percentage	7%	7%

Differences between dispatcher and dispatch coordinator 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.

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Dispatch coordinator example 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.
Dispatch 25 HVAC technicians to various job sites.
Monitor CCTV for student activities during high traffic times.

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Dispatcher vs dispatch coordinator skills

Common dispatcher skills

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

Common dispatch coordinator skills

Customer Service, 33%
Data Entry, 7%
Customer Inquiries, 5%
Delivery Appointments, 4%
Windows, 4%
Emergency Calls, 4%

Dispatcher vs. similar jobs

Dispatcher related careers

Dispatcher related jobs

Dispatcher jobs by location

Updated January 8, 2025

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