Radio dispatcher vs emergency dispatcher

The differences between radio dispatchers and emergency dispatchers can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. Additionally, an emergency dispatcher has an average salary of $36,748, which is higher than the $35,529 average annual salary of a radio dispatcher.

The top three skills for a radio dispatcher include computer aided dispatch, patrol and emergency situations. The most important skills for an emergency dispatcher are computer aided dispatch, EMS, and customer service.

Radio dispatcher vs emergency dispatcher overview

	Radio Dispatcher	Emergency Dispatcher
Yearly salary	$35,529	$36,748
Hourly rate	$17.08	$17.67
Growth rate	4%	4%
Number of jobs	6,830	29,409
Job satisfaction	-	-
Most common degree	Bachelor's Degree, 33%	Bachelor's Degree, 32%
Average age	39	39
Years of experience	-	-

Radio dispatcher vs emergency dispatcher salary

Radio dispatchers and emergency dispatchers have different pay scales, as shown below.

	Radio Dispatcher	Emergency Dispatcher
Average salary	$35,529	$36,748
Salary range	Between $27,000 And $46,000	Between $27,000 And $49,000
Highest paying City	-	Allentown, PA
Highest paying state	-	Pennsylvania
Best paying company	-	Clean Harbors
Best paying industry	-	Government

Differences between radio dispatcher and emergency dispatcher education

There are a few differences between a radio dispatcher and an emergency dispatcher in terms of educational background:

	Radio Dispatcher	Emergency Dispatcher
Most common degree	Bachelor's Degree, 33%	Bachelor's Degree, 32%
Most common major	Criminal Justice	Criminal Justice
Most common college	-	-

Radio dispatcher vs emergency dispatcher demographics

Here are the differences between radio dispatchers' and emergency dispatchers' demographics:

	Radio Dispatcher	Emergency Dispatcher
Average age	39	39
Gender ratio	Male, 44.5% Female, 55.5%	Male, 34.8% Female, 65.2%
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 radio dispatcher and emergency dispatcher duties and responsibilities

Radio dispatcher example responsibilities.

Manage customer service satisfaction by providing update eta and location of drivers.
Enter, clear and update records NCIC system.
Dispatch and coordinate response of private arm patrol by radio.
Perform booking procedures which consist of fingerprinting, checking NCIC computer for further charges or warrants.
Discuss cable television equipment operation with customers over telephone to explain equipment usage and to troubleshoot equipment problems.
Certify by APCO as a nationally recognize emergency dispatcher.

Emergency dispatcher example responsibilities.

Perform (EMD) emergency medical dispatch procedures until the police, fire fighters or paramedics arrive.
Receive emergency and non emergency calls via telephone, TDD or radio.
Assist with over the phone medical instruction, CPR instruction, and traumatic emergencies.
Coordinate response of ambulances and public safety units to emergency sites or in-progress crime situations.
Coordinate response of ambulances, fire, and police units to emergencies and in-progress crime situations.
Assist with leading callers through various procedures such as CPR while waiting for units to arrive on scene.

Radio dispatcher vs emergency dispatcher skills

Common radio dispatcher skills

Computer Aided Dispatch, 17%
Patrol, 12%
Emergency Situations, 10%
CAD, 9%
Telephone Calls, 8%
Non-Emergency Calls, 8%

Common emergency dispatcher skills

Computer Aided Dispatch, 12%
EMS, 6%
Customer Service, 6%
CAD, 6%
Public Safety Agencies, 6%
Non-Emergency Telephone Calls, 6%

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Office and Administrative Industry
Radio Dispatcher
Radio Dispatcher vs Emergency Dispatcher

Updated January 8, 2025

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