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Telecommunicator: pay, job outlook and how to become one

Updated October 28, 2026. Based on U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics and O*NET data. Published by Humblebee.

$53,040median pay per year, or $25.50 an hour, May 2025[2]
  1. $37,320lowest 10% earn less
  2. $45,21025th percentile
  3. $53,040median
  4. $64,26075th percentile
  5. $79,830top 10% earn more
Middle half of workers in the inner band[5]Median for all US jobs, $50,980[6]

Public safety telecommunicators, a job that O*NET lists under titles such as 911 dispatcher[1], had a median wage of $53,040 a year in May 2025[2]. Jobs are projected to grow 3.7% from 2025 to 2035, close to the rate projected for all occupations[3][4].

Job growth, 2025–35
+3.7%[3]
Openings per year
9,000[7]
Typical entry education
High school diploma or equivalent[8]

How much do telecommunicators make?

The median wage for public safety telecommunicators was $53,040 a year, or $25.50 an hour, in May 2025[2]. Half of the workers earned more and half earned less[2]. The median for all occupations was $50,980[6]. The average wage was $56,740 a year, or $27.28 an hour[9].

Here is how the range looks across the percentiles[5][10]:

Percentile Annual wage Hourly wage
10th[5][10] $37,320 $17.94
25th[5][10] $45,210 $21.74
75th[5][10] $64,260 $30.90
90th[5][10] $79,830 $38.38

A percentile is a boundary. The lowest-paid 10% earned less than $37,320[5][11]. BLS publishes percentile wages, not a starting salary[11].

These figures cover workers paid a wage or salary, full time or part time[12]. They leave out the self-employed and do not include bonuses or the cost of benefits[12].

Pay by state and city

California had the highest median wage at $80,120[13]. Washington followed at $78,850, then Oregon at $71,980, Alaska at $66,660 and Minnesota at $66,550[13].

Among metro areas with at least 100 jobs, the list started with San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA at $113,800, then San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont, CA at $104,910 and Vallejo, CA at $87,250[14].

The most jobs were in California (8,520), Texas (7,730), Florida (6,090), New York (5,470) and Ohio (4,550)[15]. The New York-Newark-Jersey City metro area had the most jobs of any metro, at 5,760[16].

Show median pay in 50 states and DC
StateMedian per yearJobs
California[13]$80,1208,520
Washington$78,8501,980
Oregon$71,9801,110
Alaska$66,660390
Minnesota$66,5501,460
Colorado$63,5201,800
Connecticut$62,4101,820
Massachusetts$61,7202,790
New York$61,4505,470
Illinois$61,2604,350
Nevada$60,0401,010
Wisconsin$60,0001,820
North Dakota$59,940270
Vermont$59,470280
New Jersey$59,2404,010
District of Columbia$59,08060
Maryland$58,9101,610
Rhode Island$58,310370
New Hampshire$58,240560
Ohio$58,1004,550
Maine$57,250730
Hawaii$57,020170
Iowa$56,770980
Arizona$56,6001,790
Utah$54,120880
Michigan$53,3102,100
Delaware$53,140260
Idaho$51,780580
Wyoming$50,600350
Virginia$50,4903,050
Nebraska$50,270750
Florida$50,1706,090
Texas$50,0407,730
Pennsylvania$49,8903,620
New Mexico$49,060640
Indiana$49,0502,150
South Dakota$47,900420
Montana$47,640560
Missouri$46,9902,750
North Carolina$46,5503,730
Tennessee$46,3901,840
Kentucky$45,6701,350
Kansas$45,1101,370
South Carolina$43,5401,490
Georgia$42,7903,480
West Virginia$40,490880
Oklahoma$39,8901,930
Alabama$38,9602,230
Louisiana$38,5501,470
Arkansas$38,2401,460
Mississippi$34,5101,430

How to become a telecommunicator

The typical path looks like this:

In some states the rule is at least 40 hours of training, while others set no specific requirement[20]. A probationary period of about 1 year may follow training, and there is no national standard[21]. Many states and localities require certification[22][23]. Training often covers local geography, agency protocols and dispatch software[24].

Knowing a second language, for example Spanish or American Sign Language, can be a plus[25]. Added training and certifications may help workers move up to senior dispatcher or supervisor roles[26].

What telecommunicators do

O*NET describes the job as using phone, radio or other systems to take requests for emergency help at 9-1-1 centers and emergency operations centers[27]. Common tasks include[28]:

Sample job titles include 911 Dispatcher, Police Dispatcher and Public Safety Dispatcher[1].

Where they work

Telecommunicators usually work in communication centers known as public safety answering points[29]. Some centers take calls for all emergency services, while others serve police or fire departments only[29]. Local government was the largest employer group, at 79%[30]. About 0.1% were self-employed in 2025[31].

Most work full time, and shifts often run 8 to 12 hours[32]. Centers need staff around the clock, so shifts can fall on evenings, weekends and holidays[33]. BLS says the work may be stressful, with long shifts, many calls and troubling situations[34].

Job outlook

BLS projects employment to rise 3.7% between 2025 and 2035, from about 105,600 jobs to 109,500[3]. For all occupations the projected rate is 3.5%[4]. These counts include self-employed workers[3].

About 9,000 openings a year are projected[7]. Openings include jobs left by people who retire or switch to other occupations, as well as new jobs[7]. Each year, 3.2% of workers leave the labor force and 4.8% move to a different occupation[35].

BLS OEWS counted about 102,500 wage and salary jobs in May 2025[36]. The projections count is higher and includes the self-employed[3].

Is it a good fit?

The median pay is a little above the all-occupations median, with a range from $37,320 to $79,830 at the 10th and 90th percentiles[2][5][6]. Entry asks for a high school diploma and on-the-job training, though the rules vary by state and locality[8][19]. Growth is projected near the average for all occupations[3][4]. The facts also describe stressful work and shifts around the clock[34][33].

Related occupations from O*NET, with BLS median pay and projected growth[37].

Frequently asked questions

How much does a telecommunicator make?
The median wage for public safety telecommunicators was $53,040 a year, or $25.50 an hour, in May 2025[2].
What education do you need to be a 911 dispatcher?
The typical entry level is a high school diploma, followed by on-the-job training[22].
Is telecommunicator a growing job?
BLS projects 3.7% growth from 2025 to 2035, against 3.5% for all occupations[3][4].
What is the highest paying state for public safety telecommunicators?
California had the highest median wage at $80,120, and Washington was next at $78,850[13].

Facts and sources

  1. O*NET 43-5031.00 sample job titles reported by workers: 911 Dispatcher, Communications Officer, Communications Operator, Communications Specialist, Emergency Communications Dispatcher, Emergency Communications Operator (ECO), Police Dispatcher, Public Safety Dispatcher. O*NET OnLine
  2. BLS OEWS, May 2025: the median wage for Public Safety Telecommunicators in the US was $53,040 per year and $25.50 per hour. Half of workers earned more and half earned less. BLS OEWS, May 2025
  3. BLS Employment Projections: employment of Public Safety Telecommunicators is projected to grow 3.7% from 2025 to 2035, from about 105,600 to 109,500 jobs (a change of +3,900). These counts include self-employed workers. BLS Employment Projections
  4. BLS Employment Projections: employment in all occupations is projected to grow 3.5% from 2025 to 2035. BLS Employment Projections
  5. BLS OEWS, May 2025, annual wage percentiles for Public Safety Telecommunicators: 10th percentile $37,320, 25th percentile $45,210, 75th percentile $64,260, 90th percentile $79,830. The 10th percentile means 10% of workers earned less. BLS OEWS, May 2025
  6. BLS OEWS, May 2025: the median annual wage for all occupations in the US was $50,980. BLS OEWS, May 2025
  7. BLS Employment Projections: about 9,000 openings for Public Safety Telecommunicators are projected each year, on average, from 2025 to 2035. Openings include jobs that open when workers retire or move to other occupations, not only new jobs. BLS Employment Projections
  8. BLS Employment Projections, typical path into Public Safety Telecommunicators: education needed for entry: High school diploma or equivalent; work experience in a related occupation: None; typical on-the-job training: Moderate-term on-the-job training. BLS Employment Projections
  9. BLS OEWS, May 2025: the mean (average) wage for Public Safety Telecommunicators was $56,740 per year and $27.28 per hour. BLS OEWS, May 2025
  10. BLS OEWS, May 2025, hourly wage percentiles for Public Safety Telecommunicators: 10th percentile $17.94, 25th percentile $21.74, 75th percentile $30.90, 90th percentile $38.38. BLS OEWS, May 2025
  11. BLS OEWS FAQ: a percentile wage is a boundary. The median (50th percentile) separates the highest-paid 50% from the lowest-paid 50% of workers in the occupation. OEWS publishes percentile wages, not a starting salary. BLS OEWS, May 2025
  12. BLS OEWS FAQ: OEWS covers part-time and full-time workers paid a wage or salary. It does not cover the self-employed, owners and partners in unincorporated firms, household workers or unpaid family workers. OEWS wages do not include nonproduction bonuses or employer costs of benefits such as health insurance or retirement contributions. BLS OEWS, May 2025
  13. Median annual wage for Public Safety Telecommunicators in every state with published data, May 2025 (table on this page). BLS OEWS, May 2025
  14. BLS OEWS, May 2025, metro areas with the highest median annual wage for Public Safety Telecommunicators (areas with at least 100 jobs): San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA $113,800; San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont, CA $104,910; Vallejo, CA $87,250; Anchorage, AK $83,870; Oxnard-Thousand Oaks-Ventura, CA $83,840; Santa Rosa-Petaluma, CA $81,990; Portland-Vancouver-Hillsboro, OR-WA $81,160; Stockton-Lodi, CA $80,690. BLS OEWS, May 2025
  15. BLS OEWS, May 2025, states with the most Public Safety Telecommunicators jobs: California 8,520; Texas 7,730; Florida 6,090; New York 5,470; Ohio 4,550. BLS OEWS, May 2025
  16. BLS OEWS, May 2025, metro areas with the most Public Safety Telecommunicators jobs: New York-Newark-Jersey City, NY-NJ 5,760 (median $61,450); Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN 2,730 (median $66,980); Los Angeles-Long Beach-Anaheim, CA 2,140 (median $80,370); Dallas-Fort Worth-Arlington, TX 1,870 (median $58,280); Philadelphia-Camden-Wilmington, PA-NJ-DE-MD 1,750 (median $56,960); Miami-Fort Lauderdale-West Palm Beach, FL 1,710 (median $57,110). BLS OEWS, May 2025
  17. Occupational Outlook Handbook, How to Become One: Education. BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook
  18. Occupational Outlook Handbook, How to Become One. BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook
  19. Occupational Outlook Handbook, How to Become One: Training. BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook
  20. Occupational Outlook Handbook, How to Become One: Training. BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook
  21. Occupational Outlook Handbook, How to Become One: Training. BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook
  22. Occupational Outlook Handbook, How to Become One. BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook
  23. Occupational Outlook Handbook, How to Become One: Licenses, Certifications, and Registrations. BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook
  24. Occupational Outlook Handbook, How to Become One: Training. BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook
  25. Occupational Outlook Handbook, How to Become One. BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook
  26. Occupational Outlook Handbook, How to Become One: Advancement. BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook
  27. O*NET description of Public Safety Telecommunicators. O*NET OnLine
  28. O*NET task list for Public Safety Telecommunicators. O*NET OnLine
  29. Occupational Outlook Handbook, Work Environment. BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook
  30. BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook, largest employers of public safety telecommunicators in 2025: Local government, excluding education and hospitals 79%. BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook
  31. BLS Employment Projections: 0.1% of Public Safety Telecommunicators were self-employed in 2025. BLS Employment Projections
  32. Occupational Outlook Handbook, Work Environment: Work Schedules. BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook
  33. Occupational Outlook Handbook, Work Environment: Work Schedules. BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook
  34. Occupational Outlook Handbook, Work Environment. BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook
  35. BLS Employment Projections, 2025-35 annual average for Public Safety Telecommunicators: 3.2% of workers leave the labor force each year and 4.8% move to a different occupation. BLS Employment Projections
  36. BLS OEWS, May 2025: about 102,500 people were employed as Public Safety Telecommunicators in the US (wage and salary jobs, not counting self-employed workers). BLS OEWS, May 2025
  37. Related occupations (O*NET) with BLS pay, growth and entry education. O*NET OnLine

Notes are for reading the data only. They are not facts and cannot be cited: use the wage_scope and percentile_meaning facts instead. OEWS employment (jobs in May 2025) and Employment Projections employment (2025, includes self-employed) are different measures and can differ. O*NET education shares come from a small survey of workers in the occupation, not from all workers.

This page includes information from the O*NET 31.0 Database by the U.S. Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration (USDOL/ETA). Used under the CC BY 4.0 license. O*NET® is a trademark of USDOL/ETA. CareerFacts has modified all or some of this information. USDOL/ETA has not approved, endorsed, or tested these modifications.