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Emergency communications technician vs police dispatcher

The differences between emergency communications technicians and police dispatchers can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. Additionally, an emergency communications technician has an average salary of $42,950, which is higher than the $37,402 average annual salary of a police dispatcher.

The top three skills for an emergency communications technician include emergency communications, patient care and CPR. The most important skills for a police dispatcher are computer aided dispatch, patrol, and CAD.

Emergency communications technician vs police dispatcher overview

Emergency Communications TechnicianPolice Dispatcher
Yearly salary$42,950$37,402
Hourly rate$20.65$17.98
Growth rate4%4%
Number of jobs61,9706,964
Job satisfaction--
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 41%Bachelor's Degree, 38%
Average age3939
Years of experience--

Emergency communications technician vs police dispatcher salary

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

Emergency Communications TechnicianPolice Dispatcher
Average salary$42,950$37,402
Salary rangeBetween $30,000 And $60,000Between $28,000 And $48,000
Highest paying City-Philadelphia, PA
Highest paying state-Pennsylvania
Best paying company-City of Seattle
Best paying industry-Government

Differences between emergency communications technician and police dispatcher education

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

Emergency Communications TechnicianPolice Dispatcher
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 41%Bachelor's Degree, 38%
Most common majorCriminal JusticeCriminal Justice
Most common college--

Emergency communications technician vs police dispatcher demographics

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

Emergency Communications TechnicianPolice Dispatcher
Average age3939
Gender ratioMale, 34.1% Female, 65.9%Male, 35.6% Female, 64.4%
Race ratioBlack 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 Percentage17%17%

Differences between emergency communications technician and police dispatcher duties and responsibilities

Emergency communications technician example responsibilities.

  • Compile a supplementary report for incorrect VCIN codes.
  • Coordinate emergency services for police, fire and ambulances.
  • Assist and independently train new hires and senior management on new protocols, CPR, and EMD software.
  • Maintain composure and compassion while handling emergency and non-emergency calls from a diverse community
  • Receive training regarding updates and changes of policies, procedure and regulations to CJIS.

Police dispatcher example responsibilities.

  • Rout dispatch calls to police, EMT, and fire departments.
  • Dispatch and answer phones for police, fire and ems units to calls for emergency and non-emergency situations.
  • Work with programs such as NCIS/LEAPS, CJIS and IMC.
  • Assist with completion of subpoenas and warrants.
  • Respond to emergency calls and dispatch appropriate police and EMT units.
  • Conduct the operations of radio, telephone, and cad computer systems.
  • Show more

Emergency communications technician vs police dispatcher skills

Common emergency communications technician skills
  • Emergency Communications, 12%
  • Patient Care, 12%
  • CPR, 9%
  • Computer Aided Dispatch, 9%
  • Data Entry, 7%
  • Medical Services, 7%
Common police dispatcher skills
  • Computer Aided Dispatch, 15%
  • Patrol, 8%
  • CAD, 7%
  • NCIC, 6%
  • Law Enforcement Agencies, 6%
  • Dispatch System, 4%

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