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As of October 2025, the average salary for a 911 Emergency Dispatcher stands at $36,782 annually. This figure translates to approximately $18 per hour. Several factors influence dispatcher salaries, including years of experience, geographic location, and specific duties involved in their role.
Entry-level dispatchers often start at a lower pay scale, while those with more experience can see their earnings increase significantly. For instance, within five years, a dispatcher can expect to earn closer to $45,000 annually in high-demand areas. Understanding the highest paying states is key; locations like California and New York often offer salaries above the national average due to the cost of living and demand for emergency services.
For those considering a career in this field, researching job opportunities in various states can significantly impact salary potential. Utilizing resources like Zippia can provide valuable insights into job listings and salary trends.
Let Zippi find your next 911 emergency dispatcher job
Let Zippi find your next 911 emergency dispatcher job
The highest-paying states for 911 emergency dispatchers are Pennsylvania, Maine, and Iowa. The lowest average 911 emergency dispatcher salary states are Oklahoma, Louisiana, and Kentucky.
| Rank | State | Avg. salary | Hourly rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Maine | $48,714 | $23.42 |
| 2 | West Virginia | $45,003 | $21.64 |
| 3 | Pennsylvania | $56,556 | $27.19 |
| 4 | Wyoming | $44,449 | $21.37 |
| 5 | Iowa | $46,564 | $22.39 |
| 6 | New Hampshire | $43,294 | $20.81 |
| 7 | Vermont | $42,441 | $20.40 |
| 8 | Connecticut | $44,707 | $21.49 |
| 9 | Minnesota | $46,377 | $22.30 |
| 10 | Idaho | $46,325 | $22.27 |
| 11 | Wisconsin | $40,263 | $19.36 |
| 12 | North Dakota | $41,888 | $20.14 |
| 13 | New Jersey | $41,060 | $19.74 |
| 14 | Nevada | $38,358 | $18.44 |
| 15 | Delaware | $43,058 | $20.70 |
| 16 | Kansas | $40,710 | $19.57 |
| 17 | New York | $41,081 | $19.75 |
| 18 | Alaska | $37,139 | $17.86 |
| 19 | Rhode Island | $43,471 | $20.90 |
| 20 | Montana | $35,578 | $17.10 |
| 21 | Colorado | $40,688 | $19.56 |
| 22 | Washington | $37,798 | $18.17 |
| 23 | South Dakota | $36,180 | $17.39 |
| 24 | Michigan | $37,346 | $17.95 |
| 25 | Indiana | $34,118 | $16.40 |
| 26 | Oregon | $37,221 | $17.89 |
| 27 | New Mexico | $32,523 | $15.64 |
| 28 | District of Columbia | $41,334 | $19.87 |
| 29 | Utah | $38,779 | $18.64 |
| 30 | California | $37,809 | $18.18 |
| 31 | Massachusetts | $37,976 | $18.26 |
| 32 | Maryland | $37,232 | $17.90 |
| 33 | Arizona | $32,028 | $15.40 |
| 34 | Illinois | $36,416 | $17.51 |
| 35 | Nebraska | $35,596 | $17.11 |
| 36 | Tennessee | $28,750 | $13.82 |
| 37 | Missouri | $33,020 | $15.88 |
| 38 | Texas | $29,266 | $14.07 |
| 39 | Arkansas | $30,927 | $14.87 |
| 40 | North Carolina | $31,063 | $14.93 |
| 41 | Hawaii | $28,525 | $13.71 |
| 42 | Virginia | $32,608 | $15.68 |
| 43 | Ohio | $30,537 | $14.68 |
| 44 | Louisiana | $27,140 | $13.05 |
| 45 | Florida | $23,823 | $11.45 |
| 46 | Georgia | $26,412 | $12.70 |
| 47 | Kentucky | $26,901 | $12.93 |
| 48 | Alabama | $28,156 | $13.54 |
| 49 | Mississippi | $28,596 | $13.75 |
| 50 | Oklahoma | $27,476 | $13.21 |
| 51 | South Carolina | $23,732 | $11.41 |
The highest-paying cities for 911 emergency dispatchers are Minneapolis, MN, Fort Collins, CO, and New Brunswick, NJ.
| Rank | City | Avg. salary | Hourly rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Minneapolis, MN | $46,436 | $22.32 |
| 2 | Fort Collins, CO | $41,362 | $19.89 |
| 3 | New Brunswick, NJ | $41,077 | $19.75 |
| 4 | Rochester, NY | $40,766 | $19.60 |
| 5 | Wausau, WI | $40,417 | $19.43 |
| 6 | Sacramento, CA | $39,742 | $19.11 |
| 7 | Salt Lake City, UT | $38,904 | $18.70 |
| 8 | Valparaiso, IN | $35,522 | $17.08 |
| 9 | Rio Rancho, NM | $32,827 | $15.78 |
| 10 | Peoria, AZ | $32,272 | $15.52 |
| 11 | Columbus, OH | $30,109 | $14.48 |
| 12 | Lewisville, TX | $29,412 | $14.14 |
| 13 | Oklahoma City, OK | $27,440 | $13.19 |
| 14 | Columbus, GA | $25,956 | $12.48 |
A 911 emergency dispatcher's salary ranges from $27,000 a year at the 10th percentile to $49,000 at the 90th percentile.

| Percentile | Annual salary | Monthly salary | Hourly rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| 90th Percentile | $49,000 | $4,083 | $24 |
| 75th Percentile | $43,000 | $3,583 | $21 |
| Average | $36,782 | $3,065 | $18 |
| 25th Percentile | $31,000 | $2,583 | $15 |
| 10th Percentile | $27,000 | $2,250 | $13 |
The highest paying types of 911 emergency dispatchers are emergency dispatch operator, communications officer, and 911 operator.
| Job title | Annual salary | Monthly salary | Hourly rate | Job openings |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Communications Officer | $40,161 | $3,347 | $19.31 | 73,260 |
| Call Taker | $38,776 | $3,231 | $18.64 | 11,539 |
| Telecommunication Operator | $39,381 | $3,282 | $18.93 | 34,218 |
| Communications Operator | $31,491 | $2,624 | $15.14 | 48,509 |
| Telecommunicator | $39,327 | $3,277 | $18.91 | 4,083 |
| Operations/Dispatch | $39,483 | $3,290 | $18.98 | 60,313 |
Top companies hiring 911 emergency dispatchers now:
911 emergency dispatcher salaries at Clark County and Stearns County MN are the highest-paying according to our most recent salary estimates. In addition, the average 911 emergency dispatcher salary at companies like MedStar Health and Redevelopment Agency of Salt Lake City are highly competitive.
| Rank | Company | Average salary | Hourly rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Clark County | $45,521 | $21.89 |
| 2 | Stearns County MN | $42,516 | $20.44 |
| 3 | Medstar Health | $40,459 | $19.45 |
| 4 | Redevelopment Agency of Salt Lake City | $40,148 | $19.30 |
| 5 | City of Stafford | $38,477 | $18.50 |
| 6 | City of Rochester NY | $37,944 | $18.24 |
| 7 | Williamson County | $37,352 | $17.96 |
| 8 | Rutgers University | $37,286 | $17.93 |
| 9 | City of Columbus | $36,421 | $17.51 |
| 10 | Archuleta County | $35,876 | $17.25 |
| 11 | Lake County | $35,630 | $17.13 |
| 12 | City of Peoria | $35,503 | $17.07 |
| 13 | City of Astoria | $35,134 | $16.89 |
| 14 | Milwaukee County | $34,840 | $16.75 |
| 15 | Arapahoe County | $33,858 | $16.28 |
| 16 | Scott County, Iowa | $33,510 | $16.11 |
| 17 | Livingston County | $33,083 | $15.91 |
| 18 | Valparaiso University | $32,542 | $15.65 |
| 19 | Missouri City Hall | $32,387 | $15.57 |
| 20 | American Medical Response | $31,583 | $15.18 |
The average 911 emergency dispatcher salary has risen by $6,254 over the last ten years. In 2014, the average 911 emergency dispatcher earned $30,528 annually, but today, they earn $36,782 a year. That works out to a 11% change in pay for 911 emergency dispatchers over the last decade.
Compare 911 emergency dispatcher salaries for cities or states with the national average over time.
Compare 911 emergency dispatcher salaries for individual cities or states with the national average.
| Year | Avg. salary | Hourly rate | % Change |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | $36,800 | $17.68 | +3.2% |
| 2024 | $35,600 | $17.12 | +3.0% |
| 2023 | $34,500 | $16.61 | +2.5% |
| 2022 | $33,700 | $16.19 | +1.9% |
| 2021 | $33,000 | $15.88 | +2.2% |
| Company | Job | Location | Date added | Salary |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Weber County Library System | 911 Dispatcher | Ogden, UT | 06/27/2025 | $49,024 |
| Douglas County, Co | 911 Dispatcher | Castle Rock, CO | 06/22/2025 | $63,336 |
| County of Monroe | 911 Dispatcher | Monroe, MI | 06/16/2025 | $50,714 |
| Monroe County Business de Velopment Corp | 911 Dispatcher | Monroe, MI | 06/16/2025 | $50,714 |
| Van Buren County | 911 Dispatcher | Paw Paw, MI | 06/12/2025 | $46,832 |
| Falck Mobile Health Corp | 911 Ambulance Dispatcher | Orange, CA | 05/28/2025 | $47,479 |
| Clemson University | Communications Specialist III-911 Dispatcher | Clemson, SC | 05/26/2025 | $42,805 |
| OKc | 911 Dispatcher Trainee-City | Oklahoma City, OK | 05/26/2025 | $42,888 |
| City of Lake Alfred | Communications Operator/911 Dispatcher | Lake Alfred, FL | 05/21/2025 | $40,750 |
| The City of Oklahoma City | 911 Dispatcher Trainee-City | Cole, OK | 05/21/2025 | $42,888 |
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