What Public Safety Telecommunicators do
The U.S. Department of Labor's O*NET database describes the work of Public Safety Telecommunicators this way: "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."
The core tasks O*NET records for this occupation include: "Determine response requirements and relative priorities of situations, and dispatch units in accordance with established procedures"; "Record details of calls, dispatches, and messages"; "Question callers to determine their locations and the nature of their problems to determine type of response needed"; "Enter, update, and retrieve information from teletype networks and computerized data systems regarding such things as wanted persons, stolen property, vehicle registration, and stolen vehicles"; "Scan status charts and computer screens, and contact emergency response field units to determine emergency units available for dispatch".
Education, experience and training
According to the BLS Employment Projections, the typical education needed to enter this occupation is high school diploma or equivalent. Typical on-the-job training to reach competency is moderate-term on-the-job training.
Job outlook for Public Safety Telecommunicators
The Bureau of Labor Statistics counted 105,600 jobs in this occupation in 2025 and projects 109,500 in 2035, an increase of 3,900 jobs (+3.7%). That is faster than the 3.5% projected for all occupations.
About 9,000 openings a year are projected on average, counting both new positions and positions vacated by workers who retire or switch occupations. Relative to today's employment that is 8.5% a year, against 10.3% for all occupations. BLS lists a national median annual wage of $53,040, compared with $50,980 for all occupations.
Where Public Safety Telecommunicators earn the most
Across the 2 states with published data, the employment-weighted average of local median wages for this occupation ranges from $59,833 in New Jersey to $60,826 in New York, a gap of $993 (1.02 times). 2 of those 2 states average above the BLS national median of $53,040 and 0 average at or below it.
New York employs the most people in this occupation among the states covered, 8,360, which is 50.4% of the 16,590 counted across them. New Jersey follows with 8,230.
Highest-paying states
New York ($60,826) and New Jersey ($59,833) lead the ranking, while New Jersey ($59,833) and New York ($60,826) are at the bottom. The table below lists every state with a link to its county-level detail.
Occupations related to Public Safety Telecommunicators
Dispatchers, Except Police, Fire, and Ambulance belong to the same detailed SOC group. Other occupations in the same SOC minor group (43-5000) include Postal Service Mail Carriers, Production, Planning, and Expediting Clerks, Postal Service Mail Sorters, Processors, and Processing Machine Operators and Cargo and Freight Agents.
Frequently asked questions about Public Safety Telecommunicators
How much do Public Safety Telecommunicators earn in the United States?
BLS lists a national median annual wage of $53,040. Across the states covered here the average local median ranges from $59,833 to $60,826.
Which state pays Public Safety Telecommunicators the most?
New York, with an employment-weighted average local median wage of $60,826. New Jersey is next at $59,833.
Is Public Safety Telecommunicators a growing occupation?
BLS projects employment to grow by 3.7% between 2025 and 2035, compared with 3.5% for all occupations, with about 9,000 openings a year.
What education do Public Safety Telecommunicators need?
The typical entry-level education is high school diploma or equivalent and moderate-term on-the-job training, according to BLS.