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.
SOC: 43-5031.00
Common Job Titles
Communications Officer
Communications Operator
Public Safety Dispatcher
Telecommunicator
What You'll Need to Succeed
AI-generated
Key competencies for this occupation at a glance
KnowledgeEvaluate emergency situations and prioritize response protocols in high-pressure 9-1-1 public safety answering points, coordinating with law enforcement and emergency response personnel.
Proficient
MindsetIntegrate active listening and social perceptiveness when assessing caller emotional states during crisis situations to extract critical information.
Proficient
KnowledgeApply public safety, law enforcement, and emergency medical protocols while providing pre-arrival instructions to callers reporting crimes, fires, medical emergencies, or acts of terrorism.
Proficient
Hands-onOperate multi-line telephone systems, radio consoles, and computer-aided dispatch software simultaneously under time pressure to document and relay emergency information accurately.
Proficient
MindsetAdvocate service-oriented communication principles when de-escalating distressed callers and guiding them through emergency procedures.
Proficient
KnowledgeCoordinate interdisciplinary emergency response teams including fire, medical, and law enforcement personnel through radio and telecommunication systems during multi-agency incidents.
Proficient
KnowledgeAssess compliance with federal, state, and local emergency communication regulations when accessing sensitive databases and maintaining confidentiality of protected information.
Proficient
MindsetBalance empathy for distressed callers with the need for rapid, accurate information gathering in life-threatening emergency scenarios requiring immediate dispatch decisions.
Proficient
KnowledgeApply critical thinking and judgment to ambiguous or incomplete caller reports independently while following established emergency communication protocols and decision trees.
Proficient
KnowledgeExplain emergency instructions and safety procedures clearly to callers with varying levels of distress using plain language and adapting communication style to caller comprehension levels.
Proficient
KnowledgeAnalyze geographic information system (GIS) data and law enforcement databases to determine optimal emergency response routes and identify potential threats or hazards.
Developing
KnowledgeInterpret complex caller information and translate into standardized dispatch codes while managing multiple simultaneous communications and recording critical incident details.
Developing
Wage Data According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics
Annual wage data for Public Safety Telecommunicators (2024)
Estimated Total Employment (U.S.)
101,140
Wage Distribution by Percentile
Line chart of annual wages by percentile. U.S. is the solid line. 10th percentile: U.S. $35,640. 25th percentile: U.S. $42,140. 50th percentile: U.S. $50,730. 75th percentile: U.S. $62,840. 90th percentile: U.S. $78,110. Use the left and right arrow keys to move between percentiles.
U.S.
Metric
U.S.
10% of workers earn the following or less
$35,640
10% of workers earn the following or more
$78,110
Workers on average earn
$54,800
+ indicates wage is at or above the BLS reporting cap ($239,200/year)
Skills & Requirements
Key competencies for this occupation, ranked by importance
Public Safety and Security4.9/5
Law and Government4.5/5
English Language4.5/5
Telecommunications4.5/5
Customer and Personal Service4.4/5
Skills & Requirements: Knowledge
Tools & Technology
Equipment and software commonly used in this occupation
In-Demand Technology
Frequently requested by employers in job postings
Microsoft Access
Microsoft Excel
Microsoft Office software
Microsoft Outlook
Microsoft PowerPoint
Microsoft SharePoint
Microsoft Word
SAP software
Technology Skills
911 system information databases
Computer aided dispatch software
Corel WordPerfect Office Suite
Geographic information system GIS systems
Intrado SchoolMessenger
Law enforcement information databases
National Crime Information Center (NCIC) database
National Law Enforcement Telecommunications System NLETS
