Emergency dispatcher vs emergency dispatch operator

The differences between emergency dispatchers and emergency dispatch operators 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 $36,748 average annual salary of an emergency dispatcher.

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

Emergency dispatcher vs emergency dispatch operator overview

	Emergency Dispatcher	Emergency Dispatch Operator
Yearly salary	$36,748	$45,398
Hourly rate	$17.67	$21.83
Growth rate	4%	4%
Number of jobs	29,409	48,634
Job satisfaction	-	-
Most common degree	Bachelor's Degree, 32%	High School Diploma, 34%
Average age	39	39
Years of experience	-	-

Emergency dispatcher vs emergency dispatch operator salary

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

	Emergency Dispatcher	Emergency Dispatch Operator
Average salary	$36,748	$45,398
Salary range	Between $27,000 And $49,000	Between $32,000 And $64,000
Highest paying City	Allentown, PA	-
Highest paying state	Pennsylvania	-
Best paying company	Clean Harbors	-
Best paying industry	Government	-

Differences between emergency dispatcher and emergency dispatch operator education

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

	Emergency Dispatcher	Emergency Dispatch Operator
Most common degree	Bachelor's Degree, 32%	High School Diploma, 34%
Most common major	Criminal Justice	Business
Most common college	-	-

Emergency dispatcher vs emergency dispatch operator demographics

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

	Emergency Dispatcher	Emergency Dispatch Operator
Average age	39	39
Gender ratio	Male, 34.8% Female, 65.2%	Male, 29.8% Female, 70.2%
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 dispatcher and emergency dispatch operator 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.

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 dispatcher vs emergency dispatch operator 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 emergency dispatch operator skills

Departmental Procedures, 15%
Emergency Dispatch, 13%
Customer Service, 11%
Inbound Calls, 10%
Outbound Calls, 10%
Customer Satisfaction, 6%

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

Updated January 8, 2025

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