Q: Do dispatchers make good money?

Yes, dispatchers can make good money. Non-emergency dispatchers average an annual salary of around $40,000 per year or over $19 per hour. The lowest-paid 10% earned $25,000 per year, while the best-paid 10% received over $67,000 in a year or over $32 per hour.

Q: Is it hard to be a dispatcher?

Yes, it is hard to be a dispatcher. Working as a dispatcher can be stressful and require a person to make quick decisions and manage competing responsibilities. A career as a dispatcher is fast-paced and hectic, yet it is also rewarding. As a part of a chain of emergency responders, dispatchers are the primary point of contact for all kinds of emergency calls. It takes a dedicated person to do a dispatcher's work, which is not suited to everyone.

Q: Can a dispatcher make 100k?

No, you cannot make $100,000 per year as a dispatcher. It is highly unlikely to earn over $100k because the average annual salary for a dispatcher is $33,105. Even dispatchers in higher-paid positions do not typically earn more than $40,000 per year.

Q: What percentage of Dispatchers are female?

62.4% of dispatchers are female in the United States. This is -0.8 percentage points lower than last year. Additionally, the percentage of female dispatchers has decreased by -7.0 percentage points since 2010. That means there are a total of 156,061 female dispatchers in the U.S. and 94,038 male dispatchers in the United States. Note that Zippia's estimate accounts only for the 250,099 people with the specific job title of dispatcher and doesn't include grouping similar job titles, or people with potentially similar credentialing.

Question 1

How long does it take to become a Dispatcher?

Accepted Answer

It takes 4 years of professional experience to become a dispatcher. That is the time it takes to learn specific dispatcher skills, but does not account for time spent in formal education.

Question 2

Do dispatchers make good money?

Accepted Answer

Yes, dispatchers can make good money. Non-emergency dispatchers average an annual salary of around $40,000 per year or over $19 per hour.

The lowest-paid 10% earned $25,000 per year, while the best-paid 10% received over $67,000 in a year or over $32 per hour.

Question 3

Is it hard to be a dispatcher?

Accepted Answer

Yes, it is hard to be a dispatcher. Working as a dispatcher can be stressful and require a person to make quick decisions and manage competing responsibilities.

A career as a dispatcher is fast-paced and hectic, yet it is also rewarding. As a part of a chain of emergency responders, dispatchers are the primary point of contact for all kinds of emergency calls. It takes a dedicated person to do a dispatcher's work, which is not suited to everyone.

Question 4

What skills do you need to be a dispatcher?

Accepted Answer

The most important skills needed to be a dispatcher are communication, problem-solving, and remaining calm under pressure. These skills are all critical for a dispatcher to effectively communicate their position.

Question 5

Freight Broker vs. Dispatcher

Accepted Answer

A freight broker is someone who coordinates the connection of freight shipments between shippers and carriers, while a dispatcher is an employee of a freight carrier.

A freight broker connects with multiple carriers, and can often negotiate better rates for the shippers. With multiple clients and higher shipping volume, brokers have more bargaining power than an individual business with only a few regular clients. They can handle international movements, but these movements are usually in one specific area.

Question 6

What is a good starting salary for a Dispatcher?

Accepted Answer

A good starting salary for a dispatcher is $26,000 in the United States. That puts you in the 10th percentile of annual income for a dispatcher in the U.S., which is about what you would expect if you were new to the field. The average salary for dispatchers is $33,105, but that normally requires some level of experience to achieve. Furthermore, a good starting salary for a dispatcher can vary by state.

Question 7

Can a dispatcher make 100k?

Accepted Answer

No, you cannot make $100,000 per year as a dispatcher. It is highly unlikely to earn over $100k because the average annual salary for a dispatcher is $33,105. Even dispatchers in higher-paid positions do not typically earn more than $40,000 per year.

Question 8

How much do call dispatchers make?

Accepted Answer

Non-emergency dispatchers make around $40,000 per year, on average. The lowest-paid 10% earned $25,000 per year, while the best-paid 10% received over $67,000 in a year, or over $32 per hour.

Question 9

What education is needed to become a dispatcher?

Accepted Answer

The minimum education needed to become a dispatcher is a high school diploma or equivalent. Some people seeking this career may choose to pursue higher education, such as an associate degree in a relevant field like criminal justice, law enforcement, or psychology, but it is not required.

Question 10

What percentage of Dispatchers are female?

Accepted Answer

62.4% of dispatchers are female in the United States. This is -0.8 percentage points lower than last year. Additionally, the percentage of female dispatchers has decreased by -7.0 percentage points since 2010. That means there are a total of 156,061 female dispatchers in the U.S. and 94,038 male dispatchers in the United States. Note that Zippia's estimate accounts only for the 250,099 people with the specific job title of dispatcher and doesn't include grouping similar job titles, or people with potentially similar credentialing.

Question 11

How would you describe a 911 dispatcher job on a resume?

Accepted Answer

You would describe a 911 dispatcher job on a resume by highlighting relevant skills and experience that you have as a professional within a 911 dispatcher role. Additionally, it's important to note any certifications earned that are relevant to your future career goals.

Question 12

What are the roles and responsibilities of a dispatcher?

Accepted Answer

The roles and responsibilities of a dispatcher are to take emergency calls from the public and communicate with the proper authorities to dispatch the appropriate response personnel.

A dispatcher receives emergency and non-emergency calls, advising callers and dispatching emergency units to specific locations as necessary.

Question 13

What should a dispatcher put on a resume?

Accepted Answer

A dispatcher should put all relevant skills and experience in professional dispatching roles on their resume. Additionally, it will be important to note any certifications earned that are relevant to your future career goals.

Question 14

What are the pros and cons of being a 911 dispatcher?

Accepted Answer

The pros of being a 911 dispatcher are competitive benefits and the rewarding feeling you get when you help others, while the cons are long hours and emotional demand. Here is a more detailed look at the pros and cons of being a 911 dispatcher:

Pros:

Competitive Benefits. On average, 911 dispatchers can make more than the average salary, and there are not many requirements to begin working. There are also great benefits and some agencies add extra benefits to entice potential employees.
Help Others. As a 911 dispatcher, your job is to be available and ready to help anyone in need. This is an extremely important and rewarding position to be in. You will find satisfaction in helping others.
Exciting Work. A great part of being a 911 dispatcher is that you never know what's going to happen. Every day is different, and that constant change can be very exciting for some.

Cons:

Sedentary Position. For almost the entirety of your shift as a dispatcher, you will be sitting at a desk to work. There is not a lot of movement on the job, so if you need that variability, this is not a great fit for you.
Long Hours. Dispatching agencies generally follow 12-hour shift models, which means that you will be working long hours at one time. Depending on your schedule, this could either be a good or bad thing.
Emotionally Draining. When working as a 911 dispatcher, you will often be faced with extremely disheartening stories. You could potentially hear some horrific news or sensitive subjects and that can be extremely emotionally taxing.

Question 15

What does an entry-level dispatcher do?

Accepted Answer

Entry-level dispatchers maintain proper logs of conversations, direct both emergency and non-emergency calls, and work under management. Typically, there are no specific requirements to begin working as an entry-level dispatcher, but any related experience can be extremely beneficial to being hired.

Frequently asked questions about dispatchers

Questions about becoming a dispatcher