One of the first responders to a crisis is a 911 operator. They assist individuals with their needs and queries by connecting them to the appropriate resources.
Learning more about this role might assist you in determining if it is the perfect career path for you.
But do 911 Dispatchers make enough money?
According to ZipRecruiter, New York pays 10.9% more than the national average of 911 Dispatcher salary followed by Idaho and California.
So keep reading to find out how much a does 911 dispatcher makes in actual numbers and along with some other essential details.
Summary
| Guide | How Much Does a 911 Dispatcher Make? |
|---|---|
| Average Income | $40,620 annually |
| Highest Income | $75,000 annually |
| Education Qualification | High school certificate or GED |
| Training | Available |
Who Are 911 Dispatchers?
911 operators, often known as emergency dispatchers or police dispatchers, receive inbound emergency calls regarding crimes, fires, and medical emergencies.
911 dispatchers figure out what the problem is and where it is. They dispatch the proper rescue professionals, or they alert them and give location information.
Police, firefighters, EMTs, and paramedics all work closely with 911 operators.
How Much Does A 911 Dispatcher Make?
911 operators earn an average of $40,620 a year, according to Indeed.
The amount of money you make in this job depends on a variety of things, including your degree of expertise and geographic area.
California, Colorado, Texas, and other states, for example, are among the highest-paying cities in the United States for 911 operators.
How Much Does A 911 Dispatcher Make in an Hour?
911 Dispatcher make a minimum of $8.41 in an hour and a maximum of $26.92 in a hour.
How Much Does A 911 Dispatcher Make in a Month?
911 Dispatcher make a minimum of $1,458 in a month and a maximum of $4,667 in a month.
How Much Does A 911 Dispatcher Make in a Year?
911 Dispatcher make a minimum of $17,500 in a year and a maximum of $56,000 in a year.
Highest Salary Of 911 Dispatchers In 2023
Salaries of 911 dispatchers depend on your location mostly rather than your experience or where you work.
If you are a dispatcher working in a state where salaries are extremely high, your salary will also be higher than the average.
Generally, there are no other ways that increase your salary by a bunch. On average, the top 10% of 911 dispatchers earn around $75,000 annually.
Is Being A 911 Dispatcher Good or Bad?
Operators for 911 operate in shifts. Each one may last anywhere from eight to twelve hours, with some lasting up to 24 hours.
They frequently work weekends and holidays, and they frequently work extra. In this position, you may interact with a large number of individuals in a variety of emotional states throughout the day, as well as listen to terrible facts.
This is psychologically not easy and might disturb a lot of people. However, if you like helping people and calming them in events of emergency, being a 911 dispatcher is the perfect profession. Otherwise, it is not.
How To Become A 911 Dispatcher?
Here’s how you can become a 911 dispatcher:
- The dispatcher must be at least 18 years old, with most agencies requiring emergency dispatchers to have a high school certificate or GED. Although having some college experience or even an associate’s degree is advantageous, it is not usually required.
- Many states, counties, and municipalities demand a lengthy pre-employment procedure to qualify individuals for dispatcher positions, even if they have substantial customer service experience and educational qualifications.
- Additional training, which may include comprehensive programs, may be required as part of this procedure.
Pros and Cons of Being a 911 Dispatcher?
Pros
- Entry-level requirement is low
- Exciting work
- Get to help others
- Pay is decent
Cons
- Long working hours
- Emotionally draining
- High-responsibility job
How Many Hours Does a 911 Dispatcher Work?
Being a 911 dispatcher can be physically taxing. 911 Dispatchers work in a 12-hour shift & they can be posted in the morning, evening, or even night shifts.
They are even required to work during weekends and holidays.
What is the Starting Pay of a 911 Dispatcher?
911 dispatchers are paid a decent amount of salary. However, when you are just starting out, you can expect to get paid a minimum of $8.41 an hour or $1,458 a month. With time and experience, you can earn $26.92 in an hour.
911 Dispatcher Training Programs
An emergency dispatcher’s job is one-of-a-kind, and it necessitates a special set of talents to be effective.
When you start working as a dispatcher, you’ll almost certainly have to go through a probationary period.
This is the time when you will get to do on-the-job training, improve your abilities, and learn from your bosses and team leaders. There are no other external training programs for 911 dispatchers.
Conclusion
As you can see, being a 911 dispatcher is actually a psychologically tough job that requires you to handle the most stressful situations and conversations while also having to go through shifts that last 12 to 24 hours.
The salary outlook is also not that good as there are not many opportunities to grow your salary besides moving to another state for a higher salary.
However, if you think you like handling people and these stressful situations, this profession is the best.
FAQ
How much does a 911 dispatcher make when they first start?
All 911 dispatchers start with a starting salary when they first start working as a 911 dispatcher, which is lower than the average.
How much does a 911 dispatcher make if they change states?
Depending on where they go, they might be entitled to a higher salary or lower.
How much does a 911 dispatcher make when they are a senior?
When you are a senior, this does not affect your pay grade too much, but you will definitely earn way higher than your peers.
Shefali Jain is a Content Writer & Editor at USWorkforce.org
After completing her graduation in hospitality, Shefali decided to follow her passion and started writing. Shefali has been writing for two years now and contributes to our website as a skilled editor and content writer with strong research skills. Writing product and service reviews, biographies, and book reviews are some of her key areas, among many others in which she specializes. In her time at the organization, she has written and edited content on a range of topics, including employment law, human resources, and business management.
ARTICLE SOURCES
The US Workforce has a policy of producing high-quality content that follows industry standards by using primary sources, such as white papers and government data, alongside original reporting from reputable publishers. We also follow an editorial style where appropriate information about the topic can be found with due credit given when applicable.
- https://www.ziprecruiter.com/Salaries/What-Is-the-Average-911-Dispatcher-Salary-by-State#:~:text=How%20Much%20Do%20911%20Dispatcher%20Jobs%20Pay%20per%20Year%3F&text=%2439%2C000%20is%20the%2025th%20percentile,Salaries%20below%20this%20are%20outliers.&text=%2456%2C000%20is%20the%2075th%20percentile.[↩]
- https://post.ca.gov/How-Do-I-Become-A-Dispatcher[↩]
- https://www.zippia.com/answers/what-are-the-pros-and-cons-of-being-a-911-dispatcher/[↩]