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Radio dispatcher vs police dispatcher

The differences between radio dispatchers and police dispatchers can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. Additionally, a police dispatcher has an average salary of $37,402, 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 a police dispatcher are computer aided dispatch, patrol, and CAD.

Radio dispatcher vs police dispatcher overview

Radio DispatcherPolice Dispatcher
Yearly salary$35,529$37,402
Hourly rate$17.08$17.98
Growth rate4%4%
Number of jobs6,8306,964
Job satisfaction--
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 33%Bachelor's Degree, 38%
Average age3939
Years of experience--

Radio dispatcher vs police dispatcher salary

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

Radio DispatcherPolice Dispatcher
Average salary$35,529$37,402
Salary rangeBetween $27,000 And $46,000Between $28,000 And $48,000
Highest paying City-Philadelphia, PA
Highest paying state-Pennsylvania
Best paying company-City of Seattle
Best paying industry-Government

Differences between radio dispatcher and police dispatcher education

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

Radio DispatcherPolice Dispatcher
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 33%Bachelor's Degree, 38%
Most common majorCriminal JusticeCriminal Justice
Most common college--

Radio dispatcher vs police dispatcher demographics

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

Radio DispatcherPolice Dispatcher
Average age3939
Gender ratioMale, 44.5% Female, 55.5%Male, 35.6% Female, 64.4%
Race ratioBlack 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 Percentage17%17%

Differences between radio dispatcher and police 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.

Police dispatcher example responsibilities.

  • Rout dispatch calls to police, EMT, and fire departments.
  • Dispatch and answer phones for police, fire and ems units to calls for emergency and non-emergency situations.
  • Work with programs such as NCIS/LEAPS, CJIS and IMC.
  • Assist with completion of subpoenas and warrants.
  • Respond to emergency calls and dispatch appropriate police and EMT units.
  • Conduct the operations of radio, telephone, and cad computer systems.
  • Show more

Radio dispatcher vs police 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 police dispatcher skills
  • Computer Aided Dispatch, 15%
  • Patrol, 8%
  • CAD, 7%
  • NCIC, 6%
  • Law Enforcement Agencies, 6%
  • Dispatch System, 4%

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