Post job

What is an operations/dispatch and how to become one

Updated January 8, 2025
3 min read
introduction image

The operations/dispatch is personnel that receives emergency and non-emergency calls and records significant information. They address issues and requests, transmit messages, and track vehicles. Also, they receive and dispatch orders for products and deliveries. As an operations/dispatch, you are responsible for recording the driver's assignments and other shipping data in a computer database. You assign drivers and vehicles to convey freight or passengers to the required destination. Also, you monitor their route and status to coordinate and prioritize their schedule.

Before you apply for the position, ensure you have at least a high school diploma and one to three years of experience in a related role. You must be aware of procedures and guidelines for emergencies. Skills like communication, critical thinking, multitasking, organization, and computer skills are vital if you want to be successful as an operations/dispatch. Upon employment, you will earn an average of $47,500 per annum.

ScoreOperations/DispatchUS Average
Salary
3.1

Avg. Salary $39,483

Avg. Salary $59,228

Stability level
10.0

Growth rate 4%

Growth rate 0.3%

Diversity
6.2
Race

American Indian and Alaska Native 0.72%

Asian 0.90%

Black or African American 9.14%

Hispanic or Latino 11.11%

Unknown 6.00%

White 72.13%

Gender

female 53.13%

male 46.87%

Age - 38
Race

American Indian and Alaska Native 3.00%

Asian 7.00%

Black or African American 14.00%

Hispanic or Latino 19.00%

White 57.00%

Gender

female 47.00%

male 53.00%

Age - 38
Stress level
10.0

Stress level is very high

7.1 - high

Complexity level
4.9

Complexity level is intermediate

7 - challenging

Work life balance
8.7

Work life balance is excellent

6.4 - fair

Operations/dispatch career paths

Key steps to become an operations/dispatch

  1. Explore operations/dispatch education requirements

    Most common operations/dispatch degrees

    High School Diploma

    29.1 %

    Bachelor's

    28.9 %

    Associate

    25.9 %
  2. Start to develop specific operations/dispatch skills

    SkillsPercentages
    Patrol11.12%
    Data Entry6.72%
    Computer Aided Dispatch6.54%
    Quality Customer Service6.10%
    Two-Way Radio6.07%
  3. Complete relevant operations/dispatch training and internships

    Accountants spend an average of 3-6 months on post-employment, on-the-job training. New operations/dispatches learn the skills and techniques required for their job and employer during this time. The chart below shows how long it takes to gain competency as an operations/dispatch based on U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics data and data from real operations/dispatch resumes.
  4. Research operations/dispatch duties and responsibilities

    • Manage customer service satisfaction by providing update eta and location of drivers.
    • Assist A/R with basic accounting issues.
    • Certify by ACJIC as a NCIC operator.
    • Call taker job are taking customers calls.
  5. Prepare your operations/dispatch resume

    When your background is strong enough, you can start writing your operations/dispatch resume.

    You can use Zippia's AI resume builder to make the resume writing process easier while also making sure that you include key information that hiring managers expect to see on an operations/dispatch resume. You'll find resume tips and examples of skills, responsibilities, and summaries, all provided by Zippi, your career sidekick.

    Choose from 10+ customizable operations/dispatch resume templates

    Build a professional operations/dispatch resume in minutes. Browse through our resume examples to identify the best way to word your resume. Then choose from 10+ resume templates to create your operations/dispatch resume.
    Operations/Dispatch Resume
    Operations/Dispatch Resume
    Operations/Dispatch Resume
    Operations/Dispatch Resume
    Operations/Dispatch Resume
    Operations/Dispatch Resume
    Operations/Dispatch Resume
    Operations/Dispatch Resume
    Operations/Dispatch Resume
  6. Apply for operations/dispatch jobs

    Now it's time to start searching for an operations/dispatch job. Consider the tips below for a successful job search:

    1. Browse job boards for relevant postings
    2. Consult your professional network
    3. Reach out to companies you're interested in working for directly
    4. Watch out for job scams

How did you land your first operations/dispatch job

Zippi

Are you an operations/dispatch?

Share your story for a free salary report.

Average operations/dispatch salary

The average operations/dispatch salary in the United States is $39,483 per year or $19 per hour. Operations/dispatch salaries range between $28,000 and $54,000 per year.

Average operations/dispatch salary
$39,483 Yearly
$18.98 hourly

What am I worth?

salary-calculator

How do operations/dispatches rate their job?

-/5

5 stars

4 stars

3 stars

2 stars

1 star

Operations/dispatch reviews

profile
A zippia user wrote a review on Nov 2022
Pros

Working from home makes life much easier to manage.

Cons

Pay is not a liveable wage.


profile
A zippia user wrote a review on Mar 2020
Pros

Brief the point of contact between customer and driver

Cons

Micromanagement from those who think they are superior


profile
A zippia user wrote a review on Feb 2020
Pros

Quick paced, professional environment Troubleshooting. Assisting peers with any issues they might have.

Cons

Micromanagment from superiors.


Working as an operations/dispatch? Share your experience anonymously.
Overall rating*
Career growth
Work/Life balance
Pay/Salary

Updated January 8, 2025

Zippia Research Team
Zippia Team

Editorial Staff

The Zippia Research Team has spent countless hours reviewing resumes, job postings, and government data to determine what goes into getting a job in each phase of life. Professional writers and data scientists comprise the Zippia Research Team.

Browse office and administrative jobs