Telecommunication operator vs dispatcher

The differences between telecommunication operators and dispatchers can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. It typically takes 1-2 years to become both a telecommunication operator and a dispatcher. Additionally, a telecommunication operator has an average salary of $39,381, which is higher than the $35,328 average annual salary of a dispatcher.

The top three skills for a telecommunication operator include patients, customer service and emergency situations. The most important skills for a dispatcher are customer service, data entry, and computer aided dispatch.

Telecommunication operator vs dispatcher overview

	Telecommunication Operator	Dispatcher
Yearly salary	$39,381	$35,328
Hourly rate	$18.93	$16.98
Growth rate	4%	4%
Number of jobs	34,218	5,818
Job satisfaction	-	4.25
Most common degree	Bachelor's Degree, 33%	High School Diploma, 33%
Average age	53	43
Years of experience	2	2

What does a telecommunication operator do?

A Telecommunication Operator handles all incoming calls and transfers them when necessary to appropriate quarters. As a Telecommunication operator, you will be tasked with responding to inquiries, answering messages, and passing along communication to the right individuals. In addition to that, you will be tasked with organizing the telephone directory and performing a host of other administrative tasks. You will also have the responsibility of processing packages and incoming mails and delivering outgoing mails and packages to the post office or other shipping facilities.

What does a dispatcher do?

Dispatchers are generally responsible for coordinating with the customers regarding the delivery status of the products and providing precise logistics and the fastest transportation routes to the professional drivers to ensure smooth and timely deliveries. A dispatcher is required to monitor the driver's location, strictly track road situations at all times to provide real-time updates for the customers, and advise the driver for alternative routes. Dispatchers also need to address possible customer complaints and process scheduling accurately to avoid inconsistencies in the delivery time.

Telecommunication operator vs dispatcher salary

Telecommunication operators and dispatchers have different pay scales, as shown below.

	Telecommunication Operator	Dispatcher
Average salary	$39,381	$35,328
Salary range	Between $30,000 And $50,000	Between $27,000 And $44,000
Highest paying City	Oakland, CA	Seattle, WA
Highest paying state	Minnesota	Alaska
Best paying company	City of Detroit	Mt. San Antonio College
Best paying industry	Government	Government

Differences between telecommunication operator and dispatcher education

There are a few differences between a telecommunication operator and a dispatcher in terms of educational background:

	Telecommunication Operator	Dispatcher
Most common degree	Bachelor's Degree, 33%	High School Diploma, 33%
Most common major	Business	Business
Most common college	-	-

Telecommunication operator vs dispatcher demographics

Here are the differences between telecommunication operators' and dispatchers' demographics:

	Telecommunication Operator	Dispatcher
Average age	53	43
Gender ratio	Male, 34.1% Female, 65.9%	Male, 38.1% Female, 61.9%
Race ratio	Black or African American, 15.0% Unknown, 3.6% Hispanic or Latino, 15.9% Asian, 3.8% White, 60.5% American Indian and Alaska Native, 1.2%	Black or African American, 10.3% Unknown, 5.1% Hispanic or Latino, 17.5% Asian, 3.8% White, 62.4% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.9%
LGBT Percentage	19%	7%

Differences between telecommunication operator and dispatcher duties and responsibilities

Telecommunication operator example responsibilities.

Manage patients calls effectively and efficiently in a complex, fast-pace and challenging call center environment.
Report real-time facts and statistics to immediate patrol supervisors throughout the shift.
Answer inbound calls from citizens in need of police, fire, ems.
Answer PBX, used computerized system for physician's answering service, hospital phones and paging.
Maintain various alert logs and PBX activity logs for telecommunications office.
Broadcast orders to police patrol units in vicinity of complaint/situation to investigate.

Dispatcher example responsibilities.

Manage accounts payable (A/P) and accounts receivable (A/R) using QuickBooks.
Manage dot hrs for drivers as far as what tasks can be done in a certain amount of time.
Manage customer service satisfaction by providing update eta and location of drivers.
Dispatch police fire and ems.
Dispatch district security patrol officers to assist district employees, students and residents with emergency situations.
Earn CDL with passenger endorsement.

Telecommunication operator vs dispatcher skills

Common telecommunication operator skills

Patients, 19%
Customer Service, 9%
Emergency Situations, 6%
Telephone Calls, 6%
Non-Emergency Calls, 5%
Telecommunication, 5%

Common dispatcher skills

Customer Service, 34%
Data Entry, 8%
Computer Aided Dispatch, 4%
Non-Emergency Calls, 4%
Emergency Situations, 3%
EMS, 3%

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Office and Administrative Industry
Telecommunication Operator
Telecommunication Operator vs Dispatcher

Updated January 8, 2025

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