Emergency vehicle operator vs communications dispatcher

The differences between emergency vehicle operators and communications dispatchers can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. Additionally, an emergency vehicle operator has an average salary of $100,077, which is higher than the $35,153 average annual salary of a communications dispatcher.

The top three skills for an emergency vehicle operator include patients, CPR and ambulances. The most important skills for a communications dispatcher are computer aided dispatch, CAD, and emergency situations.

Emergency vehicle operator vs communications dispatcher overview

	Emergency Vehicle Operator	Communications Dispatcher
Yearly salary	$100,077	$35,153
Hourly rate	$48.11	$16.90
Growth rate	4%	4%
Number of jobs	49,687	19,172
Job satisfaction	-	-
Most common degree	High School Diploma, 26%	Bachelor's Degree, 40%
Average age	39	39
Years of experience	-	-

Emergency vehicle operator vs communications dispatcher salary

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

	Emergency Vehicle Operator	Communications Dispatcher
Average salary	$100,077	$35,153
Salary range	Between $86,000 And $115,000	Between $26,000 And $47,000
Highest paying City	-	Santa Rosa, CA
Highest paying state	-	California
Best paying company	-	City of Richmond
Best paying industry	-	Government

Differences between emergency vehicle operator and communications dispatcher education

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

	Emergency Vehicle Operator	Communications Dispatcher
Most common degree	High School Diploma, 26%	Bachelor's Degree, 40%
Most common major	Medical Technician	Criminal Justice
Most common college	-	-

Emergency vehicle operator vs communications dispatcher demographics

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

	Emergency Vehicle Operator	Communications Dispatcher
Average age	39	39
Gender ratio	Male, 72.8% Female, 27.2%	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 vehicle operator and communications dispatcher duties and responsibilities

Emergency vehicle operator example responsibilities.

Manage the upgrade of the Monaco fire alarm system.
Perform oxygen administration, taking blood pressures and pulses, performing CPR, and administering emergency medical care.
Assist in providing emergency care to patients while maintaining universal safety precautions for a military installation and surrounding area.
Help maintain and clean ambulances on a daily basis.
Interpret and translates data from maps to firefighting crews.
Increase customer loyalty through transporting patients on emergency and non-emergency transports.

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 vehicle operator vs communications dispatcher skills

Common emergency vehicle operator skills

Patients, 35%
CPR, 18%
Ambulances, 11%
Patient Assessment, 9%
Life Support, 8%
Medical Care, 7%

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 Vehicle Operator
Emergency Vehicle Operator vs Communications Dispatcher

Updated January 8, 2025

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