| Quick Facts: Public Safety Telecommunicators | |
|---|---|
| 2021 Median Pay | $46,670 per year $22.44 per hour |
| Typical Entry-Level Education | High school diploma or equivalent |
| Work Experience in a Related Occupation | None |
| On-the-job Training | Moderate-term on-the-job training |
| Number of Jobs, 2021 | 99,500 |
| Job Outlook, 2021-31 | 4% (As fast as average) |
| Employment Change, 2021-31 | 3,600 |
What Public Safety Telecommunicators Do
Public safety telecommunicators, including 911 operators and fire dispatchers, answer emergency and nonemergency calls and provide resources to assist those in need.
Work Environment
Public safety telecommunicators work in emergency communication centers called public safety answering points (PSAPs). These workers usually have shifts that include evenings, weekends, and holidays to provide round-the-clock coverage. The pressure to respond quickly and calmly in alarming situations may be stressful.
How to Become a Public Safety Telecommunicator
Public safety telecommunicators typically need a high school diploma to enter the occupation and then are trained on the job. Many states and localities require these workers to become certified.
Pay
The median annual wage for public safety telecommunicators was $46,670 in May 2021.
Job Outlook
Employment of public safety telecommunicators is projected to grow 4 percent from 2021 to 2031, about as fast as the average for all occupations.
About 10,900 openings for public safety telecommunicators are projected each year, on average, over the decade. Many of those openings are expected to result from the need to replace workers who transfer to different occupations or exit the labor force, such as to retire.
State & Area Data
Explore resources for employment and wages by state and area for public safety telecommunicators.
Similar Occupations
Compare the job duties, education, job growth, and pay of public safety telecommunicators with similar occupations.
More Information, Including Links to O*NET
Learn more about public safety telecommunicators by visiting additional resources, including O*NET, a source on key characteristics of workers and occupations.