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Public safety telecommunicator salary
Average public safety telecommunicator salary
$40,955
Understanding Public Safety Telecommunicator Salaries
The average salary for a Public Safety Telecommunicator in the United States is $40,955 annually. However, this figure can vary based on numerous factors, including geographic location, years of experience, and specific job responsibilities. For instance, states like California and New York often offer higher salaries due to the cost of living and demand for skilled professionals.
Experience also plays a crucial role in salary determination. Entry-level telecommunicators may start at around $30,000, while those with several years in the field can earn upwards of $50,000. To maximize earning potential, consider pursuing certifications or specialized training in emergency communication systems.
Where to Find Higher Salaries
Public Safety Telecommunicators in metropolitan areas typically earn more compared to those in rural regions. Additionally, positions within police departments may offer more competitive salaries than those in fire departments or emergency medical services.
Salary Estimates Across States
Explore salary estimates from various states to understand where you might earn more as a Public Safety Telecommunicator. This information can guide your job search and career path decisions.
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Where can a Public Safety Telecommunicator earn more?
Public safety telecommunicator salaries by experience level
Public safety telecommunicator salary estimates from across the web
Average public safety telecommunicator salary by state
The highest-paying states for public safety telecommunicators are Oregon, Connecticut, and Maine. The lowest average public safety telecommunicator salary states are Tennessee, Oklahoma, and Kentucky.
- State view
- County view
Highest paying states for public safety telecommunicators
| Rank | State | Avg. salary | Hourly rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Oregon | $61,537 | $29.59 |
| 2 | Rhode Island | $51,454 | $24.74 |
| 3 | Maine | $54,064 | $25.99 |
| 4 | Wyoming | $51,433 | $24.73 |
| 5 | District of Columbia | $50,681 | $24.37 |
| 6 | Illinois | $53,504 | $25.72 |
| 7 | Massachusetts | $51,024 | $24.53 |
| 8 | New York | $51,462 | $24.74 |
| 9 | Connecticut | $54,082 | $26.00 |
| 10 | West Virginia | $52,679 | $25.33 |
| 11 | New Jersey | $50,469 | $24.26 |
| 12 | Nevada | $44,901 | $21.59 |
| 13 | Colorado | $51,102 | $24.57 |
| 14 | Minnesota | $53,544 | $25.74 |
| 15 | Delaware | $53,540 | $25.74 |
| 16 | California | $48,146 | $23.15 |
| 17 | Vermont | $48,035 | $23.09 |
| 18 | Alaska | $43,431 | $20.88 |
| 19 | Pennsylvania | $48,298 | $23.22 |
| 20 | Kansas | $49,535 | $23.81 |
| 21 | New Hampshire | $49,427 | $23.76 |
| 22 | Washington | $50,024 | $24.05 |
| 23 | Montana | $40,472 | $19.46 |
| 24 | Michigan | $42,951 | $20.65 |
| 25 | North Dakota | $47,107 | $22.65 |
| 26 | Wisconsin | $46,874 | $22.54 |
| 27 | Iowa | $42,464 | $20.42 |
| 28 | Virginia | $42,600 | $20.48 |
| 29 | Missouri | $39,641 | $19.06 |
| 30 | Maryland | $45,616 | $21.93 |
| 31 | Arizona | $39,869 | $19.17 |
| 32 | Idaho | $38,329 | $18.43 |
| 33 | Nebraska | $41,496 | $19.95 |
| 34 | New Mexico | $39,878 | $19.17 |
| 35 | Alabama | $33,840 | $16.27 |
| 36 | North Carolina | $33,090 | $15.91 |
| 37 | South Dakota | $40,539 | $19.49 |
| 38 | Indiana | $37,090 | $17.83 |
| 39 | Texas | $37,482 | $18.02 |
| 40 | Florida | $33,026 | $15.88 |
| 41 | Utah | $36,898 | $17.74 |
| 42 | Hawaii | $36,536 | $17.57 |
| 43 | Ohio | $35,202 | $16.92 |
| 44 | Tennessee | $32,719 | $15.73 |
| 45 | Georgia | $31,225 | $15.01 |
| 46 | Kentucky | $31,244 | $15.02 |
| 47 | Mississippi | $34,919 | $16.79 |
| 48 | South Carolina | $31,134 | $14.97 |
| 49 | Oklahoma | $32,122 | $15.44 |
| 50 | Louisiana | $33,722 | $16.21 |
| 51 | Arkansas | $25,506 | $12.26 |
Highest paying cities for public safety telecommunicators
The highest-paying cities for public safety telecommunicators are Elmhurst, IL, New York, NY, and Leesburg, VA.
| Rank | City | Avg. salary | Hourly rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Elmhurst, IL | $53,733 | $25.83 |
| 2 | New York, NY | $51,764 | $24.89 |
| 3 | Leesburg, VA | $46,000 | $22.12 |
| 4 | McKinney, TX | $37,426 | $17.99 |
| 5 | Toledo, OH | $35,925 | $17.27 |
| 6 | Greenville, NC | $34,289 | $16.49 |
| 7 | Frankfort, KY | $31,605 | $15.19 |
| 8 | Tucker, GA | $31,415 | $15.10 |
Public safety telecommunicator salary details
A public safety telecommunicator's salary ranges from $28,000 a year at the 10th percentile to $58,000 at the 90th percentile.
What is a public safety telecommunicator's salary?
| Percentile | Annual salary | Monthly salary | Hourly rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| 90th Percentile | $58,000 | $4,833 | $28 |
| 75th Percentile | $49,000 | $4,083 | $24 |
| Average | $40,955 | $3,413 | $20 |
| 25th Percentile | $33,000 | $2,750 | $16 |
| 10th Percentile | $28,000 | $2,333 | $13 |
Highest paying public safety telecommunicator jobs
The highest paying types of public safety telecommunicators are emergency dispatch operator, police communications operator, and 911 operator.
| Job title | Annual salary | Monthly salary | Hourly rate | Job openings |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Operations/Dispatch | $39,483 | $3,290 | $18.98 | 60,313 |
| Call Taker | $38,776 | $3,231 | $18.64 | 11,539 |
| Fire Dispatcher | $37,441 | $3,120 | $18.00 | 7,959 |
| Police Dispatcher | $37,402 | $3,117 | $17.98 | 6,964 |
| Communications Dispatcher | $35,153 | $2,929 | $16.90 | 19,172 |
| Public Safety Dispatcher | $35,063 | $2,922 | $16.86 | 25,700 |
Top companies hiring public safety telecommunicators now:
Which companies pay public safety telecommunicators the most?
Public safety telecommunicator salaries at Rowan University and Prince William County are the highest-paying according to our most recent salary estimates. In addition, the average public safety telecommunicator salary at companies like University of North Carolina and Loudoun County Social Svc are highly competitive.
| Rank | Company | Average salary | Hourly rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Rowan University | $45,104 | $21.68 |
| 2 | Prince William County | $43,867 | $21.09 |
| 3 | University of North Carolina | $41,767 | $20.08 |
| 4 | Loudoun County Social Svc | $40,268 | $19.36 |
| 5 | NC.gov | $40,102 | $19.28 |
| 6 | City of McKinney | $39,770 | $19.12 |
| 7 | Artesia | $39,247 | $18.87 |
| 8 | Securitas Electronic Security | $38,125 | $18.33 |
| 9 | Novant Health | $37,648 | $18.10 |
| 10 | Emory Healthcare | $37,110 | $17.84 |
| 11 | Cogent Communications | $36,672 | $17.63 |
| 12 | The Ohio State University | $36,546 | $17.57 |
| 13 | City of Norfolk | $36,095 | $17.35 |
| 14 | Elmhurst Memorial Hospital | $33,472 | $16.09 |
| 15 | Edward Hospital & Health Services | $33,300 | $16.01 |
| 16 | North Carolina Central University | $30,453 | $14.64 |
Wage gap by gender, race and education
Public safety telecommunicator salary trends
The average public safety telecommunicator salary has risen by $6,963 over the last ten years. In 2014, the average public safety telecommunicator earned $33,992 annually, but today, they earn $40,955 a year. That works out to a 11% change in pay for public safety telecommunicators over the last decade.
Compare public safety telecommunicator salaries for cities or states with the national average over time.
Average public safety telecommunicator salary over time
Compare public safety telecommunicator salaries for individual cities or states with the national average.
Public safety telecommunicator salary by year
| Year | Avg. salary | Hourly rate | % Change |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | $41,000 | $19.69 | +3.2% |
| 2024 | $39,600 | $19.06 | +3.0% |
| 2023 | $38,500 | $18.49 | +2.5% |
| 2022 | $37,500 | $18.03 | +1.9% |
| 2021 | $36,800 | $17.68 | +2.2% |
Recently added public safety telecommunicator salaries
| Company | Job | Location | Date added | Salary |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Paul Derda Recreation Center | Public Safety Telecommunicator | Pinole, CA | 06/28/2025 | $70,269 |
| Valencia Regional Emergency Communications Center | Public Safety Telecommunicator (PST) Supervisor | Los Lunas, NM | 06/26/2025 | $56,558 |
| The University of Alabama In Huntsville | Public Safety Telecommunicator | Huntsville, AL | 06/22/2025 | $35,379 |
| Rice County | Public Safety Telecommunicator-Rice/Steele 911 Dispatch Center | Owatonna, MN | 06/21/2025 | $57,205 |
| Aurora Health Care | Security Operations Center Public Safety Telecommunicator (3RD Shift) | Milwaukee, WI | 06/20/2025 | $44,766 |
| Arlington County, Va | Public Safety Telecommunicator (911 Call Taker) | Arlington, VA | 06/18/2025 | $60,377 |
| Pinellas County, Fl | 911 Public Safety Telecommunicator Trainee | Largo, FL | 06/14/2025 | $46,227 |
| Buncombe County Government | Public Safety Telecommunicator Supervisor | Asheville, NC | 06/13/2025 | $53,782 |
| City of St. Petersburg, Fl | Irc64382 Public Safety Telecommunicator Trainee | Saint Petersburg, FL | 06/12/2025 | $54,742 |
| Rutgers University | Public Safety Telecommunicator | New Brunswick, NJ | 06/12/2025 | $48,001 |
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