Emergency dispatch operator vs communications dispatcher

The differences between emergency dispatch operators and communications dispatchers can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. Additionally, an emergency dispatch operator has an average salary of $45,398, which is higher than the $35,153 average annual salary of a communications dispatcher.

The top three skills for an emergency dispatch operator include departmental procedures, emergency dispatch and customer service. The most important skills for a communications dispatcher are computer aided dispatch, CAD, and emergency situations.

Emergency dispatch operator vs communications dispatcher overview

	Emergency Dispatch Operator	Communications Dispatcher
Yearly salary	$45,398	$35,153
Hourly rate	$21.83	$16.90
Growth rate	4%	4%
Number of jobs	48,634	19,172
Job satisfaction	-	-
Most common degree	High School Diploma, 34%	Bachelor's Degree, 40%
Average age	39	39
Years of experience	-	-

Emergency dispatch operator vs communications dispatcher salary

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

	Emergency Dispatch Operator	Communications Dispatcher
Average salary	$45,398	$35,153
Salary range	Between $32,000 And $64,000	Between $26,000 And $47,000
Highest paying City	-	Santa Rosa, CA
Highest paying state	-	California
Best paying company	-	City of Richmond
Best paying industry	-	Government

Differences between emergency dispatch operator and communications dispatcher education

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

	Emergency Dispatch Operator	Communications Dispatcher
Most common degree	High School Diploma, 34%	Bachelor's Degree, 40%
Most common major	Business	Criminal Justice
Most common college	-	-

Emergency dispatch operator vs communications dispatcher demographics

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

	Emergency Dispatch Operator	Communications Dispatcher
Average age	39	39
Gender ratio	Male, 29.8% Female, 70.2%	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 dispatch operator and communications dispatcher duties and responsibilities

Emergency dispatch operator example responsibilities.

Train in first responder, CPR, hazmat, wreckmaster.
Educate customers in event history, update data, and troubleshoot their alarm system.
Analyze, troubleshoot and resolve customer telephone inquiries regarding billing issues, service offerings, and equipment usage.
Deploy fire, police, EMT workers to designate locations to assist with crime, injuries, or fire.
Have current appropriate plans, procedures, guidance and laws issue by the county and FEMA available within the EOC.
Answer emergency calls/dispatch police fire and sheriff, enter and cancel stolen property and vehicles, run criminal history

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 dispatch operator vs communications dispatcher skills

Common emergency dispatch operator skills

Departmental Procedures, 15%
Emergency Dispatch, 13%
Customer Service, 11%
Inbound Calls, 10%
Outbound Calls, 10%
Customer Satisfaction, 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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Office and Administrative Industry
Emergency Dispatch Operator
Emergency Dispatch Operator vs Communications Dispatcher

Updated January 8, 2025

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