Emergency dispatch operator vs radio dispatcher

The differences between emergency dispatch operators and radio 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 $35,529 average annual salary of a radio dispatcher.

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

Emergency dispatch operator vs radio dispatcher overview

	Emergency Dispatch Operator	Radio Dispatcher
Yearly salary	$45,398	$35,529
Hourly rate	$21.83	$17.08
Growth rate	4%	4%
Number of jobs	48,634	6,830
Job satisfaction	-	-
Most common degree	High School Diploma, 34%	Bachelor's Degree, 33%
Average age	39	39
Years of experience	-	-

Emergency dispatch operator vs radio dispatcher salary

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

	Emergency Dispatch Operator	Radio Dispatcher
Average salary	$45,398	$35,529
Salary range	Between $32,000 And $64,000	Between $27,000 And $46,000
Highest paying City	-	-
Highest paying state	-	-
Best paying company	-	-
Best paying industry	-	-

Differences between emergency dispatch operator and radio dispatcher education

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

	Emergency Dispatch Operator	Radio Dispatcher
Most common degree	High School Diploma, 34%	Bachelor's Degree, 33%
Most common major	Business	Criminal Justice
Most common college	-	-

Emergency dispatch operator vs radio dispatcher demographics

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

	Emergency Dispatch Operator	Radio Dispatcher
Average age	39	39
Gender ratio	Male, 29.8% Female, 70.2%	Male, 44.5% Female, 55.5%
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 radio 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

Radio dispatcher example responsibilities.

Manage customer service satisfaction by providing update eta and location of drivers.
Enter, clear and update records NCIC system.
Dispatch and coordinate response of private arm patrol by radio.
Perform booking procedures which consist of fingerprinting, checking NCIC computer for further charges or warrants.
Discuss cable television equipment operation with customers over telephone to explain equipment usage and to troubleshoot equipment problems.
Certify by APCO as a nationally recognize emergency dispatcher.

Emergency dispatch operator vs radio 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 radio dispatcher skills

Computer Aided Dispatch, 17%
Patrol, 12%
Emergency Situations, 10%
CAD, 9%
Telephone Calls, 8%
Non-Emergency Calls, 8%

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

Updated January 8, 2025

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