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Police communications operator salary
Average police communications operator salary
$39,636
Average Police Communications Operator Salary
The average salary for a Police Communications Operator is approximately $39,636 per year or about $19 per hour. This figure can vary significantly based on location, experience, and specific job duties. For instance, operators in urban areas often earn more due to higher living costs and demand for skilled communication professionals.
Salary by Experience Level
Entry-level positions may start around $30,000, while experienced operators can make upwards of $50,000. Continuous training and certifications can also enhance earning potential.
Where to Earn More
States like California and New York typically offer higher salaries, reflecting the cost of living and job demand. Cities such as Los Angeles and New York City are known for offering competitive wages for this role.
Conclusion
Understanding salary structures and trends is crucial for aspiring police communications operators. This knowledge not only helps in negotiating salaries but also in making informed decisions about career advancement.
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Where can a Police Communications Operator earn more?
Police communications operator salaries by experience level
Average police communications operator salary by state
The highest-paying states for police communications operators are Oregon, Maine, and Illinois. The lowest average police communications operator salary states are Tennessee, Oklahoma, and Georgia.
- State view
- County view
Highest paying states for police communications operators
| Rank | State | Avg. salary | Hourly rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Maine | $51,933 | $24.97 |
| 2 | Rhode Island | $49,250 | $23.68 |
| 3 | Wyoming | $48,927 | $23.52 |
| 4 | Oregon | $57,952 | $27.86 |
| 5 | Delaware | $49,632 | $23.86 |
| 6 | West Virginia | $50,333 | $24.20 |
| 7 | Massachusetts | $49,082 | $23.60 |
| 8 | North Dakota | $44,823 | $21.55 |
| 9 | Connecticut | $51,156 | $24.59 |
| 10 | Minnesota | $51,036 | $24.54 |
| 11 | New Jersey | $47,137 | $22.66 |
| 12 | Vermont | $45,769 | $22.00 |
| 13 | Colorado | $48,497 | $23.32 |
| 14 | Illinois | $51,252 | $24.64 |
| 15 | District of Columbia | $47,259 | $22.72 |
| 16 | New Hampshire | $47,761 | $22.96 |
| 17 | New York | $48,230 | $23.19 |
| 18 | Washington | $46,929 | $22.56 |
| 19 | Alaska | $41,588 | $19.99 |
| 20 | California | $46,035 | $22.13 |
| 21 | Kansas | $47,022 | $22.61 |
| 22 | Nevada | $42,789 | $20.57 |
| 23 | Wisconsin | $44,973 | $21.62 |
| 24 | Montana | $38,534 | $18.53 |
| 25 | Pennsylvania | $45,089 | $21.68 |
| 26 | South Dakota | $38,834 | $18.67 |
| 27 | Maryland | $42,368 | $20.37 |
| 28 | Nebraska | $39,541 | $19.01 |
| 29 | Michigan | $41,088 | $19.75 |
| 30 | Virginia | $40,233 | $19.34 |
| 31 | New Mexico | $39,044 | $18.77 |
| 32 | Iowa | $40,561 | $19.50 |
| 33 | Arizona | $39,039 | $18.77 |
| 34 | Idaho | $36,109 | $17.36 |
| 35 | Missouri | $37,878 | $18.21 |
| 36 | Hawaii | $34,320 | $16.50 |
| 37 | Mississippi | $34,758 | $16.71 |
| 38 | Texas | $37,175 | $17.87 |
| 39 | Utah | $34,891 | $16.77 |
| 40 | Indiana | $35,572 | $17.10 |
| 41 | North Carolina | $33,707 | $16.21 |
| 42 | Louisiana | $33,593 | $16.15 |
| 43 | Ohio | $33,685 | $16.19 |
| 44 | Alabama | $33,572 | $16.14 |
| 45 | Florida | $33,418 | $16.07 |
| 46 | Tennessee | $32,340 | $15.55 |
| 47 | Oklahoma | $31,684 | $15.23 |
| 48 | Georgia | $30,958 | $14.88 |
| 49 | Kentucky | $30,380 | $14.61 |
| 50 | Arkansas | $25,258 | $12.14 |
| 51 | South Carolina | $30,915 | $14.86 |
Highest paying cities for police communications operators
The highest-paying cities for police communications operators are Wheat Ridge, CO, Washington, DC, and Lancaster, PA.
| Rank | City | Avg. salary | Hourly rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Wheat Ridge, CO | $48,532 | $23.33 |
| 2 | Washington, DC | $47,279 | $22.73 |
| 3 | Lancaster, PA | $44,953 | $21.61 |
| 4 | Carlsbad, CA | $44,901 | $21.59 |
| 5 | Baltimore, MD | $42,734 | $20.55 |
| 6 | Arlington, TX | $37,393 | $17.98 |
| 7 | Gainesville, FL | $33,616 | $16.16 |
Police communications operator salary details
A police communications operator's salary ranges from $28,000 a year at the 10th percentile to $55,000 at the 90th percentile.
What is a police communications operator's salary?
| Percentile | Annual salary | Monthly salary | Hourly rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| 90th Percentile | $55,000 | $4,583 | $26 |
| 75th Percentile | $47,000 | $3,917 | $23 |
| Average | $39,636 | $3,303 | $19 |
| 25th Percentile | $33,000 | $2,750 | $16 |
| 10th Percentile | $28,000 | $2,333 | $13 |
Highest paying police communications operator jobs
The highest paying types of police communications operators are emergency dispatch operator, 911 operator, and operations/dispatch.
| Job title | Annual salary | Monthly salary | Hourly rate | Job openings |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Call Taker | $38,776 | $3,231 | $18.64 | 11,539 |
| Fire Dispatcher | $37,441 | $3,120 | $18.00 | 7,959 |
| Public Safety Dispatcher | $35,063 | $2,922 | $16.86 | 25,700 |
| Operations/Dispatch | $39,483 | $3,290 | $18.98 | 60,313 |
| Operator | $37,928 | $3,161 | $18.23 | 159,077 |
| Police Dispatcher | $37,402 | $3,117 | $17.98 | 6,964 |
Top companies hiring police communications operators now:
Which companies pay police communications operators the most?
Police communications operator salaries at Georgetown University and Anne Arundel County Public Schools are the highest-paying according to our most recent salary estimates. In addition, the average police communications operator salary at companies like Commonwealth Of Pennsylvania and The University System of Maryland Foundation are highly competitive.
| Rank | Company | Average salary | Hourly rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Georgetown University | $46,675 | $22.44 |
| 2 | Anne Arundel County Public Schools | $44,540 | $21.41 |
| 3 | Commonwealth Of Pennsylvania | $42,073 | $20.23 |
| 4 | The University System of Maryland Foundation | $40,292 | $19.37 |
| 5 | The University of Texas at San Antonio | $38,681 | $18.60 |
| 6 | Jefferson Center Mental Health | $36,827 | $17.71 |
| 7 | Pennsylvania State Treasurer | $36,471 | $17.53 |
| 8 | City of Carlsbad | $35,672 | $17.15 |
| 9 | University of Florida | $31,124 | $14.96 |
| 10 | Frostburg State University | $30,124 | $14.48 |
| 11 | Florida Gulf Coast University | $29,710 | $14.28 |
| 12 | UTRGV - The University of Texas Rio Grande Valley | $29,452 | $14.16 |
| 13 | Town of Bay Harbor | $28,356 | $13.63 |
Wage gap by gender, race and education
Police communications operator salary trends
The average police communications operator salary has risen by $6,738 over the last ten years. In 2014, the average police communications operator earned $32,898 annually, but today, they earn $39,636 a year. That works out to a 11% change in pay for police communications operators over the last decade.
Compare police communications operator salaries for cities or states with the national average over time.
Average police communications operator salary over time
Compare police communications operator salaries for individual cities or states with the national average.
Police communications operator salary by year
| Year | Avg. salary | Hourly rate | % Change |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | $39,600 | $19.06 | +3.2% |
| 2024 | $38,400 | $18.45 | +3.0% |
| 2023 | $37,200 | $17.90 | +2.5% |
| 2022 | $36,300 | $17.45 | +1.9% |
| 2021 | $35,600 | $17.11 | +2.2% |
Recently added police communications operator salaries
| Company | Job | Location | Date added | Salary |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Capps | DPS-ICT-Police Communications Operator V-VII | Amarillo, TX | 06/29/2025 | $58,724 |
| University of Maryland, Batlimore | Police Communications Operator Lead | Baltimore, MD | 06/20/2025 | $55,000 |
| University of North Florida | Police Communications Operator | Jacksonville, FL | 06/20/2025 | $36,585 |
| University of West Florida | Police Communications Operator 108940 | Pensacola, FL | 05/15/2025 | $36,000 |
| University of Texas at San Antonio | Police Communications Operator I or II | San Antonio, TX | 05/15/2025 | $40,164 |
| University of Texas-Austin | Police Communications Operator | Cove, UT | 04/28/2025 | $47,008 |
| City of Anaheim (Ca | Police Communications Operator/Dispatcher I | Anaheim, CA | 04/26/2025 | $54,283 |
| University of Texas at Austin | Police Communications Operator | Austin, TX | 04/26/2025 | $47,008 |
| Morgan State University | Police Communications Operator | Baltimore, MD | 04/24/2025 | $39,420 |
| St. Louis County (Mo | Police Care Operator | Clayton, MO | 04/11/2025 | $62,610 |
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