Emergency dispatcher vs communications dispatcher

The differences between emergency dispatchers and communications dispatchers can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. Additionally, an emergency dispatcher has an average salary of $36,748, which is higher than the $35,153 average annual salary of a communications dispatcher.

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

Emergency dispatcher vs communications dispatcher overview

	Emergency Dispatcher	Communications Dispatcher
Yearly salary	$36,748	$35,153
Hourly rate	$17.67	$16.90
Growth rate	4%	4%
Number of jobs	29,409	19,172
Job satisfaction	-	-
Most common degree	Bachelor's Degree, 32%	Bachelor's Degree, 40%
Average age	39	39
Years of experience	-	-

Emergency dispatcher vs communications dispatcher salary

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

	Emergency Dispatcher	Communications Dispatcher
Average salary	$36,748	$35,153
Salary range	Between $27,000 And $49,000	Between $26,000 And $47,000
Highest paying City	Allentown, PA	Santa Rosa, CA
Highest paying state	Pennsylvania	California
Best paying company	Clean Harbors	City of Richmond
Best paying industry	Government	Government

Differences between emergency dispatcher and communications dispatcher education

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

	Emergency Dispatcher	Communications Dispatcher
Most common degree	Bachelor's Degree, 32%	Bachelor's Degree, 40%
Most common major	Criminal Justice	Criminal Justice
Most common college	-	-

Emergency dispatcher vs communications dispatcher demographics

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

	Emergency Dispatcher	Communications Dispatcher
Average age	39	39
Gender ratio	Male, 34.8% Female, 65.2%	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 dispatcher and communications dispatcher duties and responsibilities

Emergency dispatcher example responsibilities.

Perform (EMD) emergency medical dispatch procedures until the police, fire fighters or paramedics arrive.
Receive emergency and non emergency calls via telephone, TDD or radio.
Assist with over the phone medical instruction, CPR instruction, and traumatic emergencies.
Coordinate response of ambulances and public safety units to emergency sites or in-progress crime situations.
Coordinate response of ambulances, fire, and police units to emergencies and in-progress crime situations.
Assist with leading callers through various procedures such as CPR while waiting for units to arrive on scene.

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 dispatcher vs communications dispatcher skills

Common emergency dispatcher skills

Computer Aided Dispatch, 12%
EMS, 6%
Customer Service, 6%
CAD, 6%
Public Safety Agencies, 6%
Non-Emergency Telephone Calls, 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 Dispatcher
Emergency Dispatcher vs Communications Dispatcher

Updated January 8, 2025

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