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The differences between dispatchers and service dispatchers 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 service dispatcher. Additionally, a dispatcher has an average salary of $35,328, which is higher than the $33,663 average annual salary of a service dispatcher.
The top three skills for a dispatcher include customer service, data entry and computer aided dispatch. The most important skills for a service dispatcher are HVAC, data entry, and phone calls.
| Dispatcher | Service Dispatcher | |
| Yearly salary | $35,328 | $33,663 |
| Hourly rate | $16.98 | $16.18 |
| Growth rate | 4% | -4% |
| Number of jobs | 5,818 | 74,936 |
| Job satisfaction | 4.25 | - |
| Most common degree | High School Diploma, 33% | High School Diploma, 30% |
| Average age | 43 | 43 |
| Years of experience | 2 | 2 |
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.
Service dispatchers are professionals who are responsible for answering the calls of customers while creating dispatch tickets for each service call. These dispatchers must gather detailed address information from their customers and acquire a basic overview of their service issues. They must dispatch service crews to their scheduled appointments and emergency situations while using maps and GPS programs to plan routes for their destination. Service dispatchers must also use digital filing systems to add customer information and log into their files when scheduling service calls.
Dispatchers and service dispatchers have different pay scales, as shown below.
| Dispatcher | Service Dispatcher | |
| Average salary | $35,328 | $33,663 |
| Salary range | Between $27,000 And $44,000 | Between $26,000 And $42,000 |
| Highest paying City | Seattle, WA | Kent, WA |
| Highest paying state | Alaska | Washington |
| Best paying company | Mt. San Antonio College | Basin Electric Power Cooperative |
| Best paying industry | Government | Government |
There are a few differences between a dispatcher and a service dispatcher in terms of educational background:
| Dispatcher | Service Dispatcher | |
| Most common degree | High School Diploma, 33% | High School Diploma, 30% |
| Most common major | Business | Business |
| Most common college | - | - |
Here are the differences between dispatchers' and service dispatchers' demographics:
| Dispatcher | Service Dispatcher | |
| Average age | 43 | 43 |
| Gender ratio | Male, 38.1% Female, 61.9% | Male, 33.6% Female, 66.4% |
| 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% |