Operations/dispatch vs communications dispatcher

The differences between operations/dispatches and communications dispatchers 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 $35,153 average annual salary of a communications dispatcher.

The top three skills for an operations/dispatch include patrol, data entry and computer aided dispatch. The most important skills for a communications dispatcher are computer aided dispatch, CAD, and emergency situations.

Operations/dispatch vs communications dispatcher overview

	Operations/Dispatch	Communications Dispatcher
Yearly salary	$39,483	$35,153
Hourly rate	$18.98	$16.90
Growth rate	4%	4%
Number of jobs	60,313	19,172
Job satisfaction	-	-
Most common degree	High School Diploma, 29%	Bachelor's Degree, 40%
Average age	39	39
Years of experience	-	-

What does an operations/dispatch do?

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.

What does a communications dispatcher do?

Communications dispatchers are responsible for answering emergency calls and dispatch officials to sort out the situation. They are often called 911 operators or 911 dispatchers and respond to the calls from the public and relay the messages to the medical personnel, police, or the fire staff to the scene of the emergency occasion. Typical duties of communications dispatchers include receiving and responding to emergency calls, recording the calls, evaluating incidents, and prioritizing calls. Their job requires them to earn a certain certification as well as training. Interpersonal and strong listening skills are vital in this field.

Operations/dispatch vs communications dispatcher salary

Operations/dispatches and communications dispatchers have different pay scales, as shown below.

	Operations/Dispatch	Communications Dispatcher
Average salary	$39,483	$35,153
Salary range	Between $28,000 And $54,000	Between $26,000 And $47,000
Highest paying City	Fremont, CA	Santa Rosa, CA
Highest paying state	Pennsylvania	California
Best paying company	AECOM	City of Richmond
Best paying industry	Government	Government

Differences between operations/dispatch and communications dispatcher education

There are a few differences between an operations/dispatch and a communications dispatcher in terms of educational background:

	Operations/Dispatch	Communications Dispatcher
Most common degree	High School Diploma, 29%	Bachelor's Degree, 40%
Most common major	Business	Criminal Justice
Most common college	-	-

Operations/dispatch vs communications dispatcher demographics

Here are the differences between operations/dispatches' and communications dispatchers' demographics:

	Operations/Dispatch	Communications Dispatcher
Average age	39	39
Gender ratio	Male, 46.9% Female, 53.1%	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 operations/dispatch and communications dispatcher duties and responsibilities

Operations/dispatch example 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.
Cross-Train as both call taker and dispatcher.
Dispatch calls to the appropriate agency - police, fire, ems.

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.

Operations/dispatch vs communications dispatcher skills

Common operations/dispatch skills

Patrol, 11%
Data Entry, 7%
Computer Aided Dispatch, 7%
Quality Customer Service, 6%
Two-Way Radio, 6%
Emergency Situations, 6%

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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Operations/Dispatch
Operations/Dispatch vs Communications Dispatcher

Updated January 8, 2025

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