Telecommunicator vs radio dispatcher

The differences between telecommunicators and radio dispatchers can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. Additionally, a telecommunicator has an average salary of $39,327, which is higher than the $35,529 average annual salary of a radio dispatcher.

The top three skills for a telecommunicator include computer aided dispatch, CAD and EMS. The most important skills for a radio dispatcher are computer aided dispatch, patrol, and emergency situations.

Telecommunicator vs radio dispatcher overview

	Telecommunicator	Radio Dispatcher
Yearly salary	$39,327	$35,529
Hourly rate	$18.91	$17.08
Growth rate	4%	4%
Number of jobs	4,083	6,830
Job satisfaction	-	-
Most common degree	Bachelor's Degree, 39%	Bachelor's Degree, 33%
Average age	39	39
Years of experience	-	-

Telecommunicator vs radio dispatcher salary

Telecommunicators and radio dispatchers have different pay scales, as shown below.

	Telecommunicator	Radio Dispatcher
Average salary	$39,327	$35,529
Salary range	Between $28,000 And $53,000	Between $27,000 And $46,000
Highest paying City	Stockton, CA	-
Highest paying state	California	-
Best paying company	City of Detroit	-
Best paying industry	Government	-

Differences between telecommunicator and radio dispatcher education

There are a few differences between a telecommunicator and a radio dispatcher in terms of educational background:

	Telecommunicator	Radio Dispatcher
Most common degree	Bachelor's Degree, 39%	Bachelor's Degree, 33%
Most common major	Criminal Justice	Criminal Justice
Most common college	-	-

Telecommunicator vs radio dispatcher demographics

Here are the differences between telecommunicators' and radio dispatchers' demographics:

	Telecommunicator	Radio Dispatcher
Average age	39	39
Gender ratio	Male, 29.0% Female, 71.0%	Male, 44.5% Female, 55.5%
Race ratio	Black or African American, 9.1% Unknown, 6.0% Hispanic or Latino, 11.1% Asian, 0.9% White, 72.1% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.7%	Black or African American, 9.1% Unknown, 6.0% Hispanic or Latino, 11.1% Asian, 0.9% White, 72.1% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.7%
LGBT Percentage	17%	17%

Differences between telecommunicator and radio dispatcher duties and responsibilities

Telecommunicator example responsibilities.

Help organize telecommunication PSAP and back-up PSAP weekly.
Use NCIC and FCIC and provide accurate information for search.
Provide CPR instructions over the phone until emergency personnel arrive at location.
Monitor radio communications at the same time and update cad throughout emergency.
Monitor activities of officers on patrol and makes radio contact to ensure safety.
Maintain licenses to NCIC, FCIC, NLETS and other law enforcement information network.

Radio dispatcher example responsibilities.

Manage customer service satisfaction by providing update eta and location of drivers.
Enter, clear and update records NCIC system.
Dispatch and coordinate response of private arm patrol by radio.
Perform booking procedures which consist of fingerprinting, checking NCIC computer for further charges or warrants.
Discuss cable television equipment operation with customers over telephone to explain equipment usage and to troubleshoot equipment problems.
Certify by APCO as a nationally recognize emergency dispatcher.

Telecommunicator vs radio dispatcher skills

Common telecommunicator skills

Computer Aided Dispatch, 14%
CAD, 7%
EMS, 6%
NCIC, 6%
Patrol, 4%
Dispatch System, 4%

Common radio dispatcher skills

Computer Aided Dispatch, 17%
Patrol, 12%
Emergency Situations, 10%
CAD, 9%
Telephone Calls, 8%
Non-Emergency Calls, 8%