Emergency dispatch operator vs telecommunicator

The differences between emergency dispatch operators and telecommunicators 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 $39,327 average annual salary of a telecommunicator.

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

Emergency dispatch operator vs telecommunicator overview

	Emergency Dispatch Operator	Telecommunicator
Yearly salary	$45,398	$39,327
Hourly rate	$21.83	$18.91
Growth rate	4%	4%
Number of jobs	48,634	4,083
Job satisfaction	-	-
Most common degree	High School Diploma, 34%	Bachelor's Degree, 39%
Average age	39	39
Years of experience	-	-

Emergency dispatch operator vs telecommunicator salary

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

	Emergency Dispatch Operator	Telecommunicator
Average salary	$45,398	$39,327
Salary range	Between $32,000 And $64,000	Between $28,000 And $53,000
Highest paying City	-	Stockton, CA
Highest paying state	-	California
Best paying company	-	City of Detroit
Best paying industry	-	Government

Differences between emergency dispatch operator and telecommunicator education

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

	Emergency Dispatch Operator	Telecommunicator
Most common degree	High School Diploma, 34%	Bachelor's Degree, 39%
Most common major	Business	Criminal Justice
Most common college	-	-

Emergency dispatch operator vs telecommunicator demographics

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

	Emergency Dispatch Operator	Telecommunicator
Average age	39	39
Gender ratio	Male, 29.8% Female, 70.2%	Male, 29.0% Female, 71.0%
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 telecommunicator 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

Telecommunicator example responsibilities.

Help organize telecommunication PSAP and back-up PSAP weekly.
Use NCIC and FCIC and provide accurate information for search.
Provide CPR instructions over the phone until emergency personnel arrive at location.
Monitor radio communications at the same time and update cad throughout emergency.
Monitor activities of officers on patrol and makes radio contact to ensure safety.
Maintain licenses to NCIC, FCIC, NLETS and other law enforcement information network.

Emergency dispatch operator vs telecommunicator 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 telecommunicator skills

Computer Aided Dispatch, 14%
CAD, 7%
EMS, 6%
NCIC, 6%
Patrol, 4%
Dispatch System, 4%

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Office and Administrative Industry
Emergency Dispatch Operator
Emergency Dispatch Operator vs Telecommunicator

Updated January 8, 2025

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