Operations/dispatch vs telecommunicator

The differences between operations/dispatches and telecommunicators 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 $39,327 average annual salary of a telecommunicator.

The top three skills for an operations/dispatch include patrol, data entry and computer aided dispatch. The most important skills for a telecommunicator are computer aided dispatch, CAD, and EMS.

Operations/dispatch vs telecommunicator overview

	Operations/Dispatch	Telecommunicator
Yearly salary	$39,483	$39,327
Hourly rate	$18.98	$18.91
Growth rate	4%	4%
Number of jobs	60,313	4,083
Job satisfaction	-	-
Most common degree	High School Diploma, 29%	Bachelor's Degree, 39%
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 telecommunicator do?

A telecommunicator receives calls and obtains information from people in need of assistance. Telecommunicators, also called 911 or public safety dispatchers, use a two-way radio in dispatching the right services to police officers, first responders, and firefighters. The telecommunicators coordinate communications between emergency personnel, police, and the public. They keep detailed records as well as trace drivers and their automobiles. The skills and knowledge necessary for this job include a dispatch system, public safety, and stressful situation management.

Operations/dispatch vs telecommunicator salary

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

	Operations/Dispatch	Telecommunicator
Average salary	$39,483	$39,327
Salary range	Between $28,000 And $54,000	Between $28,000 And $53,000
Highest paying City	Fremont, CA	Stockton, CA
Highest paying state	Pennsylvania	California
Best paying company	AECOM	City of Detroit
Best paying industry	Government	Government

Differences between operations/dispatch and telecommunicator education

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

	Operations/Dispatch	Telecommunicator
Most common degree	High School Diploma, 29%	Bachelor's Degree, 39%
Most common major	Business	Criminal Justice
Most common college	-	-

Operations/dispatch vs telecommunicator demographics

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

	Operations/Dispatch	Telecommunicator
Average age	39	39
Gender ratio	Male, 46.9% Female, 53.1%	Male, 29.0% Female, 71.0%
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%

Differences between operations/dispatch and telecommunicator 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.

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Telecommunicator example responsibilities.

Help organize telecommunication PSAP and back-up PSAP weekly.
Use NCIC and FCIC and provide accurate information for search.
Provide CPR instructions over the phone until emergency personnel arrive at location.
Monitor radio communications at the same time and update cad throughout emergency.
Monitor activities of officers on patrol and makes radio contact to ensure safety.
Maintain licenses to NCIC, FCIC, NLETS and other law enforcement information network.

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Operations/dispatch vs telecommunicator 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 telecommunicator skills

Computer Aided Dispatch, 14%
CAD, 7%
EMS, 6%
NCIC, 6%
Patrol, 4%
Dispatch System, 4%

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Updated January 8, 2025

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