Emergency communications officer vs communications dispatcher

The differences between emergency communications officers and communications dispatchers can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. Additionally, an emergency communications officer has an average salary of $39,422, which is higher than the $35,153 average annual salary of a communications dispatcher.

The top three skills for an emergency communications officer include patrol, computer aided dispatch and emergency situations. The most important skills for a communications dispatcher are computer aided dispatch, CAD, and emergency situations.

Emergency communications officer vs communications dispatcher overview

	Emergency Communications Officer	Communications Dispatcher
Yearly salary	$39,422	$35,153
Hourly rate	$18.95	$16.90
Growth rate	4%	4%
Number of jobs	93,158	19,172
Job satisfaction	-	-
Most common degree	Bachelor's Degree, 46%	Bachelor's Degree, 40%
Average age	39	39
Years of experience	-	-

Emergency communications officer vs communications dispatcher salary

Emergency communications officers and communications dispatchers have different pay scales, as shown below.

	Emergency Communications Officer	Communications Dispatcher
Average salary	$39,422	$35,153
Salary range	Between $28,000 And $53,000	Between $26,000 And $47,000
Highest paying City	Bloomington, IL	Santa Rosa, CA
Highest paying state	Oregon	California
Best paying company	City of Austin	City of Richmond
Best paying industry	Government	Government

Differences between emergency communications officer and communications dispatcher education

There are a few differences between an emergency communications officer and a communications dispatcher in terms of educational background:

	Emergency Communications Officer	Communications Dispatcher
Most common degree	Bachelor's Degree, 46%	Bachelor's Degree, 40%
Most common major	Criminal Justice	Criminal Justice
Most common college	-	-

Emergency communications officer vs communications dispatcher demographics

Here are the differences between emergency communications officers' and communications dispatchers' demographics:

	Emergency Communications Officer	Communications Dispatcher
Average age	39	39
Gender ratio	Male, 43.1% Female, 56.9%	Male, 29.6% Female, 70.4%
Race ratio	Black or African American, 9.1% Unknown, 6.0% Hispanic or Latino, 11.1% Asian, 0.9% White, 72.1% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.7%	Black or African American, 9.1% Unknown, 6.0% Hispanic or Latino, 11.1% Asian, 0.9% White, 72.1% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.7%
LGBT Percentage	17%	17%

Differences between emergency communications officer and communications dispatcher duties and responsibilities

Emergency communications officer example responsibilities.

Dispatch all patrol units to calls for service.
Monitor Fire/EMS calls of adjacent jurisdictions.
Maintain composure and compassion while handling emergency and non-emergency calls from a diverse community
Retrieve sensitive information such as, DMV files and background histories.
Insert foley catheter or straight cath a patient as directed.
Receive training regarding updates and changes of policies, procedure and regulations to CJIS.

Communications dispatcher example responsibilities.

Manage Facebook page and create event page for grand opening.
Provide first aid, CPR and emergency oxygen as required.
Provide telephone service on the TDD communication device for the deaf and hearing impair.
Respond verbally and used TDD (text telephone device for hearing or speech impair) to communicate with callers when need.
Maintain composure and compassion while handling emergency and non-emergency calls from a diverse community
Coordinate the response of ambulances and public safety units to emergency sites or in-progress crime situations.

Emergency communications officer vs communications dispatcher skills

Common emergency communications officer skills

Patrol, 20%
Computer Aided Dispatch, 10%
Emergency Situations, 7%
CPR, 6%
CAD, 6%
EMS, 6%

Common communications dispatcher skills

Computer Aided Dispatch, 12%
CAD, 8%
Emergency Situations, 5%
CPR, 5%
Dispatch System, 5%
Good Judgment, 5%

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Emergency Communications Officer
Emergency Communications Officer vs Communications Dispatcher

Updated January 8, 2025

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