Police communications operator vs communications dispatcher

The differences between police communications operators and communications dispatchers can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. Additionally, a police communications operator has an average salary of $39,636, which is higher than the $35,153 average annual salary of a communications dispatcher.

The top three skills for a police communications operator include computer aided dispatch, dispatch system and two-way radio. The most important skills for a communications dispatcher are computer aided dispatch, CAD, and emergency situations.

Police communications operator vs communications dispatcher overview

	Police Communications Operator	Communications Dispatcher
Yearly salary	$39,636	$35,153
Hourly rate	$19.06	$16.90
Growth rate	4%	4%
Number of jobs	42,992	19,172
Job satisfaction	-	-
Most common degree	Bachelor's Degree, 49%	Bachelor's Degree, 40%
Average age	39	39
Years of experience	-	-

Police communications operator vs communications dispatcher salary

Police communications operators and communications dispatchers have different pay scales, as shown below.

	Police Communications Operator	Communications Dispatcher
Average salary	$39,636	$35,153
Salary range	Between $28,000 And $55,000	Between $26,000 And $47,000
Highest paying City	Wheat Ridge, CO	Santa Rosa, CA
Highest paying state	Oregon	California
Best paying company	Georgetown University	City of Richmond
Best paying industry	Government	Government

Differences between police communications operator and communications dispatcher education

There are a few differences between a police communications operator and a communications dispatcher in terms of educational background:

	Police Communications Operator	Communications Dispatcher
Most common degree	Bachelor's Degree, 49%	Bachelor's Degree, 40%
Most common major	Criminal Justice	Criminal Justice
Most common college	-	-

Police communications operator vs communications dispatcher demographics

Here are the differences between police communications operators' and communications dispatchers' demographics:

	Police Communications Operator	Communications Dispatcher
Average age	39	39
Gender ratio	Male, 28.1% Female, 71.9%	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 police communications operator and communications dispatcher duties and responsibilities

Police communications operator example responsibilities.

Manage busy company switchboard, operating PBX or private branch exchange systems to facilitate connections.
Screen, train, test, and certify operators to gain access to LLETS and/or NCIC.
Supervise telecommunication operations and reinforce the confidentiality in telecommunications.
Perform monthly inventory and destruction of COMSEC material while maintaining strict accountability standards.
Control COMSEC for company level operations and follow all destruction and pickup regulations.
Supervise telecommunication operations and reinforce the confidentiality in telecommunications.

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.

Police communications operator vs communications dispatcher skills

Common police communications operator skills

Computer Aided Dispatch, 17%
Dispatch System, 6%
Two-Way Radio, 6%
CAD, 6%
Computer System, 5%
Criminal Justice, 5%

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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Police Communications Operator
Police Communications Operator vs Communications Dispatcher

Updated January 8, 2025

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