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Dispatcher vs train dispatcher

The differences between dispatchers and train 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 train dispatcher. Additionally, a train dispatcher has an average salary of $48,374, 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 train dispatcher are emergency situations, train movement, and FRA.

Dispatcher vs train dispatcher overview

DispatcherTrain Dispatcher
Yearly salary$35,328$48,374
Hourly rate$16.98$23.26
Growth rate4%-
Number of jobs5,8185,390
Job satisfaction4.25-
Most common degreeHigh School Diploma, 33%Bachelor's Degree, 49%
Average age4343
Years of experience22

Dispatcher vs train dispatcher salary

Dispatchers and train dispatchers have different pay scales, as shown below.

DispatcherTrain Dispatcher
Average salary$35,328$48,374
Salary rangeBetween $27,000 And $44,000Between $26,000 And $89,000
Highest paying CitySeattle, WA-
Highest paying stateAlaska-
Best paying companyMt. San Antonio College-
Best paying industryGovernment-

Differences between dispatcher and train dispatcher education

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

DispatcherTrain Dispatcher
Most common degreeHigh School Diploma, 33%Bachelor's Degree, 49%
Most common majorBusinessBusiness
Most common college--

Dispatcher vs train dispatcher demographics

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

DispatcherTrain Dispatcher
Average age4343
Gender ratioMale, 38.1% Female, 61.9%Male, 60.7% Female, 39.3%
Race ratioBlack 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 Percentage7%7%

Differences between dispatcher and train dispatcher 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

Train dispatcher example responsibilities.

  • Manage and organize project teams internally during implementation of new CMTS system.
  • Call and assign train crews (i.e., engineers, conductors and brakeman) for rail yard and over-the-road train operations.
  • Train HAZMAT awareness and CPR.
  • Devolve and implement course outline and syllabus.
  • Request advanced technical and specialize training through command and DoD agencies.
  • Participate actively on company's first response team and receive training in safety awareness, first response, and CPR.
  • Show more

Dispatcher vs train dispatcher skills

Common dispatcher skills
  • Customer Service, 34%
  • Data Entry, 8%
  • Computer Aided Dispatch, 4%
  • Non-Emergency Calls, 4%
  • Emergency Situations, 3%
  • EMS, 3%
Common train dispatcher skills
  • Emergency Situations, 15%
  • Train Movement, 12%
  • FRA, 9%
  • Emergency Calls, 9%
  • Federal Safety Rules, 5%
  • Traffic Signals, 5%

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