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The differences between police dispatchers and telecommunicators can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. Additionally, a telecommunicator has an average salary of $39,327, which is higher than the $37,402 average annual salary of a police dispatcher.
The top three skills for a police dispatcher include computer aided dispatch, patrol and CAD. The most important skills for a telecommunicator are computer aided dispatch, CAD, and EMS.
| Police Dispatcher | Telecommunicator | |
| Yearly salary | $37,402 | $39,327 |
| Hourly rate | $17.98 | $18.91 |
| Growth rate | 4% | 4% |
| Number of jobs | 6,964 | 4,083 |
| Job satisfaction | - | - |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 38% | Bachelor's Degree, 39% |
| Average age | 39 | 39 |
| Years of experience | - | - |
Police Dispatchers are responsible for assessing incoming calls and deploying police resources using professional judgment. Their duties include answering emergency calls from agencies and the public, gathering information from police systems and call handlers, conducting priority assessments based on vulnerability and risks, and liaising with police officers to determine the logistics of place and time of an incident lodged. They also help facilitate investigations, reassure victims, and maintain accurate incident records.
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.
Police dispatchers and telecommunicators have different pay scales, as shown below.
| Police Dispatcher | Telecommunicator | |
| Average salary | $37,402 | $39,327 |
| Salary range | Between $28,000 And $48,000 | Between $28,000 And $53,000 |
| Highest paying City | Philadelphia, PA | Stockton, CA |
| Highest paying state | Pennsylvania | California |
| Best paying company | City of Seattle | City of Detroit |
| Best paying industry | Government | Government |
There are a few differences between a police dispatcher and a telecommunicator in terms of educational background:
| Police Dispatcher | Telecommunicator | |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 38% | Bachelor's Degree, 39% |
| Most common major | Criminal Justice | Criminal Justice |
| Most common college | - | - |
Here are the differences between police dispatchers' and telecommunicators' demographics:
| Police Dispatcher | Telecommunicator | |
| Average age | 39 | 39 |
| Gender ratio | Male, 35.6% Female, 64.4% | 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% |