Emergency dispatch operator vs emergency medical dispatcher

The differences between emergency dispatch operators and emergency medical 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 $38,255 average annual salary of an emergency medical dispatcher.

The top three skills for an emergency dispatch operator include departmental procedures, emergency dispatch and customer service. The most important skills for an emergency medical dispatcher are EMT, computer aided dispatch, and EMS.

Emergency dispatch operator vs emergency medical dispatcher overview

	Emergency Dispatch Operator	Emergency Medical Dispatcher
Yearly salary	$45,398	$38,255
Hourly rate	$21.83	$18.39
Growth rate	4%	4%
Number of jobs	48,634	69,103
Job satisfaction	-	-
Most common degree	High School Diploma, 34%	Bachelor's Degree, 29%
Average age	39	39
Years of experience	-	-

Emergency dispatch operator vs emergency medical dispatcher salary

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

	Emergency Dispatch Operator	Emergency Medical Dispatcher
Average salary	$45,398	$38,255
Salary range	Between $32,000 And $64,000	Between $30,000 And $47,000
Highest paying City	-	-
Highest paying state	-	-
Best paying company	-	-
Best paying industry	-	-

Differences between emergency dispatch operator and emergency medical dispatcher education

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

	Emergency Dispatch Operator	Emergency Medical Dispatcher
Most common degree	High School Diploma, 34%	Bachelor's Degree, 29%
Most common major	Business	Criminal Justice
Most common college	-	-

Emergency dispatch operator vs emergency medical dispatcher demographics

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

	Emergency Dispatch Operator	Emergency Medical Dispatcher
Average age	39	39
Gender ratio	Male, 29.8% Female, 70.2%	Male, 35.8% Female, 64.2%
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 emergency medical 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

Emergency medical dispatcher example responsibilities.

Train new EMT students, and dispatchers in patient care, emergency call taking and operations.
Dispatch fire police sheriff and medical using the cad system.
Provide medical instructions to callers on issues such as childbirth and CPR.
Dispatch appropriate units according to acuity level, availability and location; assist with CPR until units arrive at location.
Develop and implement departments EMD program.
Dispatch ambulances as necessary and in accordance with state and company standard operating procedures.

Emergency dispatch operator vs emergency medical 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 emergency medical dispatcher skills

EMT, 11%
Computer Aided Dispatch, 10%
EMS, 8%
CAD, 8%
EMD, 7%
CPR, 7%

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Office and Administrative Industry
Emergency Dispatch Operator
Emergency Dispatch Operator vs Emergency Medical Dispatcher

Updated January 8, 2025

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