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The differences between operations/dispatches and call takers can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. Additionally, an operations/dispatch has an average salary of $39,483, which is higher than the $38,776 average annual salary of a call taker.
The top three skills for an operations/dispatch include patrol, data entry and computer aided dispatch. The most important skills for a call taker are computer aided dispatch, taker, and CAD.
| Operations/Dispatch | Call Taker | |
| Yearly salary | $39,483 | $38,776 |
| Hourly rate | $18.98 | $18.64 |
| Growth rate | 4% | 4% |
| Number of jobs | 60,313 | 11,539 |
| Job satisfaction | - | - |
| Most common degree | High School Diploma, 29% | High School Diploma, 30% |
| Average age | 39 | 39 |
| Years of experience | - | - |
An operations dispatcher is a communication liaison between delivery drivers, customers, and an operations center of a delivery service or distributorship. You should effectively communicate with drivers for timely and efficient deliveries and inform customers of expected times of delivery. Operations dispatchers develop the most efficient delivery routes and keep in touch with drivers throughout a delivery run, monitor any abrupt changes on the routes such as constructions, and work with management to alter set routes to accommodate customer needs.
A call taker works at a call or dispatch center, where they are primarily in charge of answering calls, identifying the callers' needs, and coordinating services to assist them right away. Although their responsibilities depend on their company or industry of employment, it usually involves answering inquiries, processing requests, arranging appointments or reservations, and handling issues and concerns, resolving them promptly and efficiently. When it comes to employment, a call taker may work for 911 dispatch centers, taxi companies, towing services, and private hotlines.
Operations/dispatches and call takers have different pay scales, as shown below.
| Operations/Dispatch | Call Taker | |
| Average salary | $39,483 | $38,776 |
| Salary range | Between $28,000 And $54,000 | Between $29,000 And $51,000 |
| Highest paying City | Fremont, CA | San Mateo, CA |
| Highest paying state | Pennsylvania | California |
| Best paying company | AECOM | City of San Antonio |
| Best paying industry | Government | Government |
There are a few differences between an operations/dispatch and a call taker in terms of educational background:
| Operations/Dispatch | Call Taker | |
| Most common degree | High School Diploma, 29% | High School Diploma, 30% |
| Most common major | Business | Criminal Justice |
| Most common college | - | - |
Here are the differences between operations/dispatches' and call takers' demographics:
| Operations/Dispatch | Call Taker | |
| Average age | 39 | 39 |
| Gender ratio | Male, 46.9% Female, 53.1% | Male, 26.0% Female, 74.0% |
| 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% |