Police, Fire and Ambulance Dispatchers: Salary, Job Description, How To Become One, and Quiz

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[custom_headline class=”subheading” type=”left” level=”h3″]Job description [/custom_headline]

Police, Fire and Ambulance Dispatchers operate radio, telephone, or computer equipment at emergency response centers. Receive reports from the public of crimes, disturbances, fires, and medical or police emergencies. Relay information to law enforcement and emergency response personnel. May maintain contact with caller until responders arrive.

  • Question callers to determine their locations, and the nature of their problems to determine type of response needed.
  • Determine response requirements and relative priorities of situations, and dispatch units in accordance with established procedures.
  • Record details of calls, dispatches, and messages.
  • Provide emergency medical instructions to callers.
Read more about what does a Police, Fire and Ambulance Dispatcher really do at work and what is it like being and working as one.

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[custom_headline class=”subheading” type=”left” level=”h3″]Salary [/custom_headline]
Average salary
$43290 per year

Average hourly wage
$21 per hour

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911 Operators with little to no experience tend to make between $26590 and $32710 while the more experienced ones can earn over $51480 per year.

Top 5 paying states Hourly Annual
CA $32 $65,530
AK $29 $59,640
WA $28 $57,440
MN $27 $56,490
OR $27 $56,220

One of the easiest ways to increase your salary as a Police, Fire and Ambulance Dispatcher is to move to a higher paying state like CA. Right now, the highest paying states for 911 Operators are CA, AK, WA, MN and OR.

However, a higher pay at CA doesn’t guarantee that you will make more because the living expenses at CA might be twice as high than where you are currently at now.

Three other factors that can increase your salary as a Police, Fire and Ambulance Dispatcher is the degree you hold, the industry you work in, and lastly the company you work for.

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[custom_headline class=”subheading” type=”left” level=”h3″] Requirements [/custom_headline]
Recommended degree level
No degree required

We asked other 911 Operators what degree they had when they got the job and most of them said they had a High School Diploma followed by an Associate’s Degree.

Other than that, we also asked them what did they major in and here are the most popular majors that came up.

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Read more about how to become a Police, Fire and Ambulance Dispatcher and the degree, training and education you need.

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[custom_headline class=”subheading” type=”left” level=”h3″] Pros and Cons [/custom_headline]

Here are some of the pros and cons of being a Police, Fire and Ambulance Dispatcher.

[icon type=”thumbs-o-up”] PROS
Suitable for people who likes to follow routines
Suitable for people who values relationships between co-workers and customers and wants to work in a friendly non-competitive environment
This career is perfect for people who love to work indoors.
It is easy to get into this career. Some previous work-related skill, knowledge, or experience is required for this career.
[icon type=”thumbs-o-down”] CONS
Not suitable for people who likes to work with designs
Salary is below average

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[custom_headline class=”subheading” type=”left” level=”h3″]What is the job like[/custom_headline]
Job satisfaction
74%

Is this job meaningful
85%

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74% of 911 Operators said they were satisfied with their job and 85% said they feel like their job is making other people’s lives better.

Melissa Parks
Metro Nashville Police Department, Nashville TN

I was a 911 Dispatcher for 5 years in the Metro Nashville Police Department, Nashville TN. I can still say, without hesitation, that it was one of the best positions I’ve ever had, and I was very good at it. I could have retired as a career dispatcher, save for a few aspects impossible to … Read More

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[custom_headline class=”subheading” type=”left” level=”h3″]Is this right for me[/custom_headline]
Best personality for this career
The Organizers and The Builders

You can read more about these career personality types here.

People who are suitable for this job tends to like following set procedures and routines. They like working with data and details more than with ideas..

They also like work activities that include practical, hands-on problems and solutions. They like working with plants, animals, and real-world materials like wood, tools, and machinery.

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[content_band class=”toc-bottom” border=”all”] [custom_headline type=”left” style=”margin-top: 0;” level=”h4″ looks_like=”h5″]Learn more about 911 Operators[/custom_headline]
[icon type=”home”] Summary (You are here)
[icon type=”list-ul”] Job Description
[icon type=”dollar”] Salary
[icon type=”graduation-cap”] Requirements
[icon type=”heart”] Quiz
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Related career information

911 Operators job description, 911 Operators salary, 911 Operators information, what is the job of a Police, Fire and Ambulance Dispatcher like, pros and cons about Police, Fire and Ambulance Dispatchers, colleges and universities for Police, Fire and Ambulance Dispatchers, is Police, Fire and Ambulance Dispatchers the right career for me, careers in Office and Administration

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911 Dispatcher, 911 Emergency Dispatcher, 911 Emergency Services Dispatcher, 911 Operator (Nine One One Operator), 911 Public Safety Dispatcher, 911 Telecommunicator, Alarm Operator, Call Person, Call Taker, Communications Officer

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