Public Safety Telecommunicators
Operate telephone, radio, or other communication systems to receive and communicate requests for emergency assistance at 9-1-1 public safety answering points and emergency operations centers. Take information from the public and other sources regarding crimes, threats, disturbances, acts of terrorism, fires, medical emergencies, and other public safety matters. May coordinate and provide information to law enforcement and emergency response personnel. May access sensitive databases and other information sources as needed. May provide additional instructions to callers based on knowledge of and certification in law enforcement, fire, or emergency medical procedures.
Also called: 911 Dispatcher, 911 Emergency Dispatcher, 911 Emergency Services Dispatcher, 911 Operator, 911 Telecommunicator, Alarm Operator
Median pay
$53,040
per year, U.S.
Pay range (10th–90th)
$37,320 – $79,830
People employed
102,500
Holland code
CRS
Conventional · Realistic · Social
Updated October 2026 · Data: O*NET 31.0 and BLS OEWS May 2025 · How we match careers
Is this career right for you?
These are the things that stand out in this job compared with other U.S. jobs (O*NET 31.0 work context). Answer honestly.
- 1.Do you enjoy serving customers or the public?
- 2.Are you comfortable sitting at a desk most of the day?
- 3.Are you OK repeating the same tasks most of the day?
- 4.Are you happy talking and working with people most of the day?
- 5.Do you prefer working indoors?
- 6.Do you want a job with little physical risk?
- 7.Do you work well under tight deadlines?
The hard parts
- Dealing with conflict is part of the job
- Tight deadlines are common
- Mistakes can have serious consequences
Public Safety Telecommunicators pay by state
Annual median pay by state (50 states and DC with published data). Source: BLS OEWS May 2025.
What public safety telecommunicators do
- 01Provide emergency medical instructions to callers.
- 02Question callers to determine their locations and the nature of their problems to determine type of response needed.
- 03Determine response requirements and relative priorities of situations, and dispatch units in accordance with established procedures.
- 04Receive incoming telephone or alarm system calls regarding emergency and non-emergency police and fire service, emergency ambulance service, information, and after-hours calls for departments within a city.
- 05Relay information and messages to and from emergency sites, to law enforcement agencies, and to all other individuals or groups requiring notification.
- 06Record details of calls, dispatches, and messages.
Skills that matter most
- Active Listening
- Speaking
- Critical Thinking
- Reading Comprehension
- Active Learning
- Monitoring
Knowledge
- Public Safety and Security
- Law and Government
- English Language
- Telecommunications
- Customer and Personal Service
Work styles that stand out
- Dependability
- Attention to Detail
- Integrity
- Cautiousness
- Cooperation
Education and first steps
Share of workers by required education, as reported to O*NET.
How people get started
- Usually needs a high school diploma (O*NET Job Zone 2).
- Related work experience: none.
- On-the-job training: over 3 months, up to and including 6 months.
- A certification can help.
Most common answers from O*NET 31.0 Education, Training and Experience.
Interest fit (Holland code)
O*NET occupational interest scores, scale 1–7. Take the Free Career Test to compare with your own.
Career changes
Change from public safety telecommunicators
- Police and Sheriff's Patrol Officers81% · +44%
- First-Line Supervisors of Security Workers80% · +5%
- Transit and Railroad Police79% · +70%
- Switchboard Operators, Including Answering Service78% · −27%
- Correctional Officers and Jailers77% · +11%
Change into public safety telecommunicators
Jobs whose skills carry over best (skill match, their median pay).
- Switchboard Operators, Including Answering Service88% · $38,630
- Security Guards84% · $38,020
- Telephone Operators84% · $41,740
- Correctional Officers and Jailers77% · $58,940
- Crossing Guards and Flaggers75% · $38,100