Emergency dispatcher vs emergency operator

The differences between emergency dispatchers and emergency operators can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. Additionally, an emergency operator has an average salary of $38,458, 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 operator are emergency situations, emergency operations, and emergency services.

Emergency dispatcher vs emergency operator overview

	Emergency Dispatcher	Emergency Operator
Yearly salary	$36,748	$38,458
Hourly rate	$17.67	$18.49
Growth rate	4%	4%
Number of jobs	29,409	52,229
Job satisfaction	-	-
Most common degree	Bachelor's Degree, 32%	Bachelor's Degree, 42%
Average age	39	39
Years of experience	-	-

Emergency dispatcher vs emergency operator salary

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

	Emergency Dispatcher	Emergency Operator
Average salary	$36,748	$38,458
Salary range	Between $27,000 And $49,000	Between $26,000 And $56,000
Highest paying City	Allentown, PA	-
Highest paying state	Pennsylvania	-
Best paying company	Clean Harbors	-
Best paying industry	Government	-

Differences between emergency dispatcher and emergency operator education

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

	Emergency Dispatcher	Emergency Operator
Most common degree	Bachelor's Degree, 32%	Bachelor's Degree, 42%
Most common major	Criminal Justice	Business
Most common college	-	-

Emergency dispatcher vs emergency operator demographics

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

	Emergency Dispatcher	Emergency Operator
Average age	39	39
Gender ratio	Male, 34.8% Female, 65.2%	Male, 41.1% Female, 58.9%
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 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 operator example responsibilities.

Manage busy company switchboard, operating PBX or private branch exchange systems to facilitate connections.
Utilize CCTV system to monitor and record activity in and around the facility.
Answer emergency calls/dispatch police fire and sheriff, enter and cancel stolen property and vehicles, run criminal history
Certify by APCO as a nationally recognize emergency dispatcher.

Emergency dispatcher vs emergency 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 operator skills

Emergency Situations, 23%
Emergency Operations, 19%
Emergency Services, 11%
EMS, 8%
Computer Aided Dispatch, 7%
Emergency Response, 6%

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Office and Administrative Industry
Emergency Dispatcher
Emergency Dispatcher vs Emergency Operator

Updated January 8, 2025

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