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Police communications dispatcher salary
Average police communications dispatcher salary
$40,084
Average Salary Insights
The average salary for a Police Communications Dispatcher is approximately $40,084 annually, or about $19 per hour. This position plays a crucial role in emergency response, requiring effective communication skills and the ability to manage high-pressure situations. Salaries can vary based on experience; dispatchers with several years in the field typically earn higher wages.
Salary by State
Geography significantly impacts a dispatcher's earnings. States with higher living costs often offer salaries reflecting that. For example, dispatchers in California and New York report some of the highest salaries due to demand and cost of living. The following states consistently rank among the highest for dispatcher salaries:
- California
- New York
- Washington
- Texas
- Florida
Furthermore, job opportunities in urban areas tend to pay more, as cities often require around-the-clock dispatch services. This role not only provides a stable income but also the chance for career advancement within law enforcement agencies, making it a valuable career choice for those interested in public safety.
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Where can a Police Communications Dispatcher earn more?
Police communications dispatcher salaries by experience level
Police communications dispatcher salary estimates from across the web
Average police communications dispatcher salary by state
The highest-paying states for police communications dispatchers are Oregon, Washington, and Minnesota. The lowest average police communications dispatcher salary states are South Carolina, Louisiana, and Georgia.
- State view
- County view
Highest paying states for police communications dispatchers
| Rank | State | Avg. salary | Hourly rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Wyoming | $50,375 | $24.22 |
| 2 | Oregon | $57,393 | $27.59 |
| 3 | Maine | $51,007 | $24.52 |
| 4 | Washington | $52,439 | $25.21 |
| 5 | West Virginia | $48,897 | $23.51 |
| 6 | North Dakota | $46,162 | $22.19 |
| 7 | Colorado | $49,395 | $23.75 |
| 8 | Minnesota | $51,966 | $24.98 |
| 9 | Delaware | $44,216 | $21.26 |
| 10 | Illinois | $51,499 | $24.76 |
| 11 | Vermont | $44,486 | $21.39 |
| 12 | Kansas | $47,560 | $22.87 |
| 13 | Rhode Island | $44,503 | $21.40 |
| 14 | Nevada | $42,253 | $20.31 |
| 15 | New Hampshire | $44,583 | $21.43 |
| 16 | District of Columbia | $43,351 | $20.84 |
| 17 | Alaska | $41,907 | $20.15 |
| 18 | Massachusetts | $44,972 | $21.62 |
| 19 | South Dakota | $39,901 | $19.18 |
| 20 | Connecticut | $45,830 | $22.03 |
| 21 | New York | $42,946 | $20.65 |
| 22 | Montana | $39,909 | $19.19 |
| 23 | California | $42,387 | $20.38 |
| 24 | Wisconsin | $44,871 | $21.57 |
| 25 | Nebraska | $40,503 | $19.47 |
| 26 | Utah | $39,759 | $19.11 |
| 27 | Iowa | $41,463 | $19.93 |
| 28 | New Jersey | $41,835 | $20.11 |
| 29 | Virginia | $37,685 | $18.12 |
| 30 | Maryland | $38,510 | $18.51 |
| 31 | Idaho | $37,860 | $18.20 |
| 32 | Michigan | $39,593 | $19.04 |
| 33 | Pennsylvania | $40,339 | $19.39 |
| 34 | New Mexico | $36,022 | $17.32 |
| 35 | Missouri | $38,295 | $18.41 |
| 36 | Arizona | $35,307 | $16.97 |
| 37 | Indiana | $35,577 | $17.10 |
| 38 | North Carolina | $31,472 | $15.13 |
| 39 | Hawaii | $26,405 | $12.69 |
| 40 | Tennessee | $30,930 | $14.87 |
| 41 | Mississippi | $30,090 | $14.47 |
| 42 | Texas | $31,319 | $15.06 |
| 43 | Ohio | $32,620 | $15.68 |
| 44 | Kentucky | $30,427 | $14.63 |
| 45 | Louisiana | $27,891 | $13.41 |
| 46 | Oklahoma | $29,693 | $14.28 |
| 47 | Alabama | $29,654 | $14.26 |
| 48 | Georgia | $27,883 | $13.41 |
| 49 | South Carolina | $28,433 | $13.67 |
| 50 | Florida | $27,478 | $13.21 |
| 51 | Arkansas | $23,536 | $11.32 |
Highest paying cities for police communications dispatchers
The highest-paying cities for police communications dispatchers are Portland, OR, Seattle, WA, and Pueblo, CO.
| Rank | City | Avg. salary | Hourly rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Portland, OR | $57,418 | $27.60 |
| 2 | Seattle, WA | $52,464 | $25.22 |
| 3 | Pueblo, CO | $48,003 | $23.08 |
| 4 | San Rafael, CA | $45,344 | $21.80 |
| 5 | Milwaukee, WI | $44,839 | $21.56 |
| 6 | Lynn, MA | $44,748 | $21.51 |
| 7 | Phoenix, AZ | $35,601 | $17.12 |
| 8 | Fort Worth, TX | $32,495 | $15.62 |
Police communications dispatcher salary details
A police communications dispatcher's salary ranges from $29,000 a year at the 10th percentile to $54,000 at the 90th percentile.
What is a police communications dispatcher's salary?
| Percentile | Annual salary | Monthly salary | Hourly rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| 90th Percentile | $54,000 | $4,500 | $26 |
| 75th Percentile | $46,000 | $3,833 | $22 |
| Average | $40,084 | $3,340 | $19 |
| 25th Percentile | $34,000 | $2,833 | $16 |
| 10th Percentile | $29,000 | $2,417 | $14 |
Highest paying police communications dispatcher jobs
The highest paying types of police communications dispatchers are emergency dispatch operator, police communications operator, and 911 operator.
| Job title | Annual salary | Monthly salary | Hourly rate | Job openings |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Call Taker | $38,776 | $3,231 | $18.64 | 11,539 |
| Dispatcher | $35,328 | $2,944 | $16.98 | 5,818 |
| Telecommunicator | $39,327 | $3,277 | $18.91 | 4,083 |
| Fire Dispatcher | $37,441 | $3,120 | $18.00 | 7,959 |
| Operations/Dispatch | $39,483 | $3,290 | $18.98 | 60,313 |
| Public Safety Dispatcher | $35,063 | $2,922 | $16.86 | 25,700 |
Top companies hiring police communications dispatchers now:
Which companies pay police communications dispatchers the most?
Police communications dispatcher salaries at City of Seattle and City of San Antonio are the highest-paying according to our most recent salary estimates. In addition, the average police communications dispatcher salary at companies like City of Portland and City of Nacogdoches are highly competitive.
| Rank | Company | Average salary | Hourly rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | City of Seattle | $65,073 | $31.29 |
| 2 | City of San Antonio | $63,338 | $30.45 |
| 3 | City of Portland | $46,289 | $22.25 |
| 4 | City of Nacogdoches | $43,468 | $20.90 |
| 5 | City of San Rafael | $42,275 | $20.32 |
| 6 | State of Arizona | $41,186 | $19.80 |
| 7 | Arizona Department of Public Safety | $38,622 | $18.57 |
| 8 | JPS Health Network | $38,506 | $18.51 |
| 9 | North Shore Community College | $38,441 | $18.48 |
| 10 | Colorado State Express | $37,641 | $18.10 |
| 11 | Oakland Public Library | $32,664 | $15.70 |
| 12 | Marquette University | $28,750 | $13.82 |
Wage gap by gender, race and education
Police communications dispatcher salary trends
The average police communications dispatcher salary has risen by $6,815 over the last ten years. In 2014, the average police communications dispatcher earned $33,269 annually, but today, they earn $40,084 a year. That works out to a 11% change in pay for police communications dispatchers over the last decade.
Compare police communications dispatcher salaries for cities or states with the national average over time.
Average police communications dispatcher salary over time
Compare police communications dispatcher salaries for individual cities or states with the national average.
Police communications dispatcher salary by year
| Year | Avg. salary | Hourly rate | % Change |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 | $40,100 | $19.27 | +3.2% |
| 2025 | $38,800 | $18.66 | +3.0% |
| 2024 | $37,600 | $18.10 | +2.5% |
| 2023 | $36,700 | $17.65 | +1.9% |
| 2022 | $36,000 | $17.30 | +2.2% |
Recently added police communications dispatcher salaries
| Company | Job | Location | Date added | Salary |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Public Building Commission of Chicago | 20Th District Police Stationfurniture, Fixtures and Equipment | Chicago, IL | 02/17/2025 | $25,000 |
| Metropolitan Community College Nebraska | Police Communications Dispatcher | Omaha, NE | 11/26/2024 | $59,646 |
| California Department of Education | Police Communications Dispatcher | Fresno, CA | 10/18/2024 | $51,620 |
| A2Mend | Police Communications Dispatcher | Fresno, CA | 10/18/2024 | $51,620 |
| Public Building Commission of Chicago | 20Th District Police Stationfurniture, Fixtures and Equipment | Chicago, IL | 09/25/2024 | $25,000 |
| Cleveland Clinic | Police Dispatcher/Communications Officer | Beachwood, OH | 09/17/2024 | $36,001 |
| Public Building Commission of Chicago | 20Th District Police Stationfurniture, Fixtures and Equipment | Chicago, IL | 09/11/2024 | $25,000 |
| Muchmore Than Consulting, LLC | Police Communications Dispatcher (20537435) | Sebastopol, CA | 09/10/2024 | $64,566 |
| Cleveland Clinic | Police Dispatcher/Communications Officer | Cleveland, OH | 07/17/2024 | $36,001 |
| Cleveland Clinic | Police Dispatcher/Communications Officer | Cleveland, OH | 07/17/2024 | $36,001 |
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