Dispatcher vs scheduler

The differences between dispatchers and schedulers 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 scheduler. Additionally, a scheduler has an average salary of $40,565, 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 scheduler are patients, customer service, and medical terminology.

Dispatcher vs scheduler overview

	Dispatcher	Scheduler
Yearly salary	$35,328	$40,565
Hourly rate	$16.98	$19.50
Growth rate	4%	-8%
Number of jobs	5,818	56,890
Job satisfaction	4.25	-
Most common degree	High School Diploma, 33%	Bachelor's Degree, 37%
Average age	43	49
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 scheduler do?

A scheduler is responsible for arranging appointments and carrying out reminder calls and correspondence to anyone involved. In a company setting, it is also a scheduler's responsibility to coordinate with various departments and personnel to organize an accurate timetable that will consist of meetings, gatherings, deadlines, or other pressing matters. Furthermore, a scheduler must have attention to detail as one must perform bookkeeping tasks, fix scheduling issues or conflicts, and organize documentation. There are also instances where one must process orders or payments.

Dispatcher vs scheduler salary

Dispatchers and schedulers have different pay scales, as shown below.

	Dispatcher	Scheduler
Average salary	$35,328	$40,565
Salary range	Between $27,000 And $44,000	Between $23,000 And $68,000
Highest paying City	Seattle, WA	Washington, DC
Highest paying state	Alaska	New York
Best paying company	Mt. San Antonio College	BP America Inc
Best paying industry	Government	Construction

Differences between dispatcher and scheduler education

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

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

Dispatcher vs scheduler demographics

Here are the differences between dispatchers' and schedulers' demographics:

	Dispatcher	Scheduler
Average age	43	49
Gender ratio	Male, 38.1% Female, 61.9%	Male, 22.9% Female, 77.1%
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, 9.6% Unknown, 3.8% Hispanic or Latino, 12.0% Asian, 3.8% White, 70.6% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.4%
LGBT Percentage	7%	9%

Differences between dispatcher and scheduler 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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Scheduler example responsibilities.

Manage clinic visit schedules, rehabilitation conferences, medical exams, trial appearances, depositions, etc.
Utilize knowledge of medical insurance including manage care, Medicare, Medicaid, liability and workman's compensation.
Manage patient pre-op responsibilities, and generate all necessary paperwork.
Schedule procedure, surgery f/u, register new patients, referrals, insurance, send nurse messages.
Schedule patients for test and surgery procedures with and without anesthesia using the Surgi-Server computerize scheduling system.
Schedule patients for radiology and nuclear medicine procedures, verify insurance benefits, and obtain prior authorizations for patient procedures.

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Dispatcher vs scheduler skills

Common dispatcher skills

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

Common scheduler skills

Patients, 21%
Customer Service, 13%
Medical Terminology, 7%
Patient Care, 5%
Data Entry, 3%
Home Health, 3%

Dispatcher vs. similar jobs

Dispatcher related careers

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Dispatcher jobs by location

Updated January 8, 2025

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