Operations/dispatch vs distributor operator

The differences between operations/dispatches and distributor operators 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 $37,262 average annual salary of a distributor operator.

The top three skills for an operations/dispatch include patrol, data entry and computer aided dispatch. The most important skills for a distributor operator are asphalt, CDL, and DOT.

Operations/dispatch vs distributor operator overview

	Operations/Dispatch	Distributor Operator
Yearly salary	$39,483	$37,262
Hourly rate	$18.98	$17.91
Growth rate	4%	7%
Number of jobs	60,313	44,648
Job satisfaction	-	-
Most common degree	High School Diploma, 29%	High School Diploma, 30%
Average age	39	43
Years of experience	-	4

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 distributor operator do?

There are skills that distributor operators should have to be effective in the job. Some of the most common skills to be able to accomplish the responsibilities needed for the position include CDL (Commercial Drivers License), DoT (Damage over Time), and of course, past experience of being a distributor operator. For jobs like this, it would be better to search by industry instead of through keyword. This helps you to see a wider range of jobs related to being a distributor operator.

Operations/dispatch vs distributor operator salary

Operations/dispatches and distributor operators have different pay scales, as shown below.

	Operations/Dispatch	Distributor Operator
Average salary	$39,483	$37,262
Salary range	Between $28,000 And $54,000	Between $31,000 And $44,000
Highest paying City	Fremont, CA	Winchester, VA
Highest paying state	Pennsylvania	Colorado
Best paying company	AECOM	BlackRock
Best paying industry	Government	Utilities

Differences between operations/dispatch and distributor operator education

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

	Operations/Dispatch	Distributor Operator
Most common degree	High School Diploma, 29%	High School Diploma, 30%
Most common major	Business	Business
Most common college	-	-

Operations/dispatch vs distributor operator demographics

Here are the differences between operations/dispatches' and distributor operators' demographics:

	Operations/Dispatch	Distributor Operator
Average age	39	43
Gender ratio	Male, 46.9% Female, 53.1%	Male, 81.1% Female, 18.9%
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, 17.2% Unknown, 4.5% Hispanic or Latino, 19.4% Asian, 2.7% White, 55.3% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.9%
LGBT Percentage	17%	4%

Differences between operations/dispatch and distributor operator 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.

Distributor operator example responsibilities.

Unload chemicals from chemicals trucks while wearing proper PPE.
Work around asphalt pavers shoveling operating various equipment to include roller and road broom.
Experience directing high performing logistics teams to plan, process, and deliver accurate and time-critical complex materials orders.
Participate in after hours on-call rotation for customer service emergency leaks, turn on/ turn off, and SCADA system alarms.
Maintain OSHA forklift certification requiring completing monthly/annual testing.
Coordinate storage and distribution of hazardous waste following HAZMAT procedures.

Operations/dispatch vs distributor operator 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 distributor operator skills

Asphalt, 17%
CDL, 16%
DOT, 8%
Safety Procedures, 6%
Hand Tools, 5%
Pallets, 5%

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Operations/Dispatch
Operations/Dispatch vs Distributor Operator

Updated January 8, 2025

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