Schedule and dispatch workers, work crews, equipment, or service vehicles for conveyance of materials, freight, or passengers, or for normal installation, service, or emergency repairs rendered outside the place of business. Duties may include using radio, telephone, or computer to transmit assignments and compiling statistics and reports on work progress.
Dispatchers, Except Police, Fire, and Ambulance
SOC: 43-5032 O*NET: 43-5032.00
Median Salary
$48,880
per year
Job Growth
📉 -0.9%
Slower (2024-2034)
Annual Openings
18.5
projected jobs/year
Education Level
High school diploma or equivalent
Job Zone 2
Schedule and dispatch workers, work crews, equipment, or service vehicles for conveyance of materials, freight, or passengers, or for normal installation, service, or emergency repairs rendered outside the place of business. Duties may include using radio, telephone, or computer to transmit assignments and compiling statistics and reports on work progress.
What does a Dispatchers, Except Police, Fire, and Ambulance do?
How much can you earn?
Entry Level
$34,600
10th percentile
Early Career
$40,240
25th percentile
Median
$48,880
50th percentile
Experienced
$61,520
75th percentile
Top Earners
$76,130
90th percentile
National Salary Distribution
10th
$34,600
25th
$40,240
Middle 50%
MEDIAN
$48,880
Mean: $53,150
75th
$61,520
90th
$76,130
Middle 50% of earners
Median salary
Mean (average)
Key Insights
- •Salary range spans $41,530 from entry level to top earners
- •Middle 50% earn between $40,240 and $61,520
- •Salary spread is 43.5% around the median, showing high variation
- •Total national employment: 211,000 professionals
What's the job outlook?
Job Market Intelligence
Low Demand
Market demand
Medium Risk
Automation risk
Current Employment
National Employment:218,700
Top Industries
Truck Transportation19.6%
Administrative and Support and Waste Management and Remediation Services10.2%
Construction9.6%
10-Year Outlook
Growth Rate:-0.9%
Annual Openings:18,500
Employment Projections
2024 (Current)218,700
Current
2034 (Projected)216,700
-0.9%
-2,100
Employment Change
-0.9%
Growth Rate
10
Year Projection
Growth Category: More slowly than average
Geographic Salary & Employment Data
Explore where Dispatchers, Except Police, Fire, and Ambulance professionals work across the United States
Showing 15 of 50 locations
California
24,580 jobs$50,0400.99x
Texas
24,180 jobs$45,8801.28x
Florida
12,320 jobs$42,3200.92x
New York
11,510 jobs$51,9400.88x
Pennsylvania
7,450 jobs$48,2100.91x
Georgia
6,830 jobs$48,3101.03x
New Jersey
6,180 jobs$52,6901.06x
Ohio
6,010 jobs$49,0500.79x
Michigan
5,570 jobs$47,9800.93x
North Carolina
5,430 jobs$47,1800.81x
Virginia
5,400 jobs$46,8900.97x
Washington
5,360 jobs$57,9501.11x
Arizona
5,340 jobs$46,7101.22x
Indiana
4,590 jobs$48,4601.05x
Tennessee
4,370 jobs$48,0700.98x
Understanding the Data
Location Quotient (LQ):
- • LQ > 1.0: More jobs than national average
- • LQ = 1.0: Same as national average
- • LQ < 1.0: Fewer jobs than national average
Data Source:
Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), May 2024
Key Growth Factors
- •Employment decline projected
What skills do you need?
Top 10 Most Important Skills
#1
Speaking
100%
#2
Active Listening
94%
#3
Coordination
86%
#4
Monitoring
80%
#5
Reading Comprehension
74%
#6
Time Management
66%
#7
Writing
60%
#8
Social Perceptiveness
54%
#9
Critical Thinking
46%
#10
Complex Problem Solving
40%
Skills Overview
Speaking
advanced5.0
100%
Active Listening
advanced4.7
94%
Coordination
intermediate4.3
86%
Monitoring
intermediate4.0
80%
Reading Comprehension
basic3.7
74%
Time Management
intermediate3.3
66%
Writing
intermediate3.0
60%
Social Perceptiveness
basic2.7
54%
Skills are rated on a scale of 0-5, with 5 being the most important. The complexity level indicates how advanced the skill typically needs to be.
Filter:
Sort by:
Speaking
advancedImportance100%
skills
5.0/5.0
Active Listening
advancedImportance94%
skills
4.7/5.0
Coordination
intermediateImportance86%
skills
4.3/5.0
Monitoring
intermediateImportance80%
skills
4.0/5.0
Reading Comprehension
basicImportance74%
abilities
3.7/5.0
Time Management
intermediateImportance66%
skills
3.3/5.0
Writing
intermediateImportance60%
skills
3.0/5.0
Social Perceptiveness
basicImportance54%
skills
2.7/5.0
Critical Thinking
basicImportance46%
abilities
2.3/5.0
Complex Problem Solving
advancedImportance40%
abilities
2.0/5.0
Highly Transferable Skills
These skills are valuable across multiple career paths, making career transitions easier:
Production, Planning, and Expediting Clerks90%
5 shared skills
Advertising and Promotions Managers82%
5 shared skills
Camera Operators, Television, Video, and Film82%
5 shared skills
Counter and Rental Clerks82%
5 shared skills
Court, Municipal, and License Clerks82%
5 shared skills
Credit Authorizers, Checkers, and Clerks82%
5 shared skills
Skills by Career Stage
Entry Level
Must Have:
- ✓Speaking
- ✓Active Listening
- ✓Coordination
- ✓Monitoring
Learn on the Job:
- →Time Management
- →Writing
- →Social Perceptiveness
Mid Career
Expected:
- ✓Speaking
- ✓Active Listening
- ✓Coordination
- ✓Monitoring
Senior Level
Mastery Required:
- ★Speaking
- ★Active Listening
- ★Reading Comprehension
Skill Development Tips
- •Focus on developing the top 5 skills first - they have the highest impact on career success
- •Transferable skills open doors to related careers and provide flexibility
- •Balance technical skills with soft skills for well-rounded professional development
- •Entry-level positions prioritize foundational skills that can be built upon over time
What technology will you use?
Technology & Digital Skills
Essential technology proficiencies for Dispatchers, Except Police, Fire, and Ambulance
Technology Intensity
Very High
Digital Literacy Requirements
This career requires expert digital literacy
1
Basic
2
Intermediate
3
Advanced
4
Expert
Key Digital Competencies:
Advanced software proficiencySystem architecture understandingAutomation and scriptingEmerging technology adaptationTechnical problem-solving
🔥
Hot Technologies in Demand
These technologies are currently trending and highly sought after in this field
Microsoft Access
🔥 Hot TechMicrosoft Outlook
🔥 Hot TechMicrosoft Dynamics
🔥 Hot TechSAP software
🔥 Hot TechMicrosoft Office software
🔥 Hot TechMicrosoft Windows
🔥 Hot TechMicrosoft PowerPoint
🔥 Hot TechMicrosoft Excel
🔥 Hot TechKronos Workforce Timekeeper
🔥 Hot TechMicrosoft Word
🔥 Hot TechTechnology Stack
Technology Stack Overview
Key technologies used in this career
Microsoft Access
Microsoft Outlook
Microsoft Dynamics
SAP software
Microsoft Office software
Microsoft Windows
Microsoft PowerPoint
Microsoft Excel
Kronos Workforce Timekeeper
Microsoft Word
📚 Technology Learning Resources
Recommended Certifications
- •Vendor-specific software certifications
- •Industry-recognized technology credentials
- •Professional development courses
Online Learning Platforms
- •LinkedIn Learning - Comprehensive technology courses
- •Coursera - University-level programs
- •Udemy - Practical skills training
💡 Technology Skill Development Tips
- •Focus on mastering hot technologies first - they're currently most in-demand
- •Build a portfolio demonstrating your proficiency with key tools and software
- •Stay current through continuous learning - technology evolves rapidly
- •Consider vendor certifications to validate your skills to employers
What's the work environment like?
🏢
Location
MOSTLY INDOOR
💪
Physical Demand
MODERATE
👥
Team Orientation
MOSTLY TEAM
🤝
Customer Interaction
CONSTANT
💡Is This Work Environment Right for You?
Consider these factors when evaluating if you'll thrive in this work environment:
- •Are you comfortable working in mostly indoor environments?
- •Can you meet moderate physical demands?
- •Do you enjoy mostly team team environments?
- •Are you comfortable working with safety protocols and protective equipment?
What are the key tasks?
Tasks & Responsibilities
12
Core Tasks
8
Daily Tasks
20
Work Activities
0
Emerging Tasks
Filter:
Sort by:
General Responsibilities (8)Documentation & Record-Keeping (3)Communication & Coordination (1)
1
Schedule or dispatch workers, work crews, equipment, or service vehicles to appropriate locations, according to customer requests, specifications, or needs, using radios or telephones.
🔴Daily
Importance:
General Responsibilities100% perform100%
2
Arrange for necessary repairs to restore service and schedules.
🔴Daily
Importance:
General Responsibilities97% perform98%
3
Relay work orders, messages, or information to or from work crews, supervisors, or field inspectors, using telephones or two-way radios.
🔴Daily
Importance:
General Responsibilities94% perform96%
4
Confer with customers or supervising personnel to address questions, problems, or requests for service or equipment.
🔴Daily
Importance:
General Responsibilities91% perform94%
5
Prepare daily work and run schedules.
🔴Daily
Importance:
Documentation & Record-Keeping88% perform92%
6
Receive or prepare work orders.
🔴Daily
Importance:
Documentation & Record-Keeping85% perform90%
7
Oversee all communications within specifically assigned territories.
🔴Daily
Importance:
General Responsibilities82% perform88%
8
Monitor personnel or equipment locations and utilization to coordinate service and schedules.
🔴Daily
Importance:
Communication & Coordination79% perform86%
9
Record and maintain files or records of customer requests, work or services performed, charges, expenses, inventory, or other dispatch information.
🟡Weekly
Importance:
Documentation & Record-Keeping76% perform84%
10
Determine types or amounts of equipment, vehicles, materials, or personnel required, according to work orders or specifications.
🟡Weekly
Importance:
General Responsibilities73% perform82%
💡 Key Takeaways
- •Daily tasks focus primarily on general responsibilities activities
- •58% of tasks are performed by most workers in this occupation
- •Career advancement brings increased leadership and strategic responsibilities
What career paths are available?
Career Pathways
0
Advancement Opportunities
0
Lateral Move Options
0%
Avg. Salary Increase
Advancement Opportunities
Typical career progression paths from Dispatchers, Except Police, Fire, and Ambulance
💡 Career Planning Tips
- •Most successful advancement happens after 3-5 years of experience
- •Lateral moves can provide valuable cross-functional experience for future leadership roles
- •Focus on developing skills that are transferable across multiple career paths
- •Consider industry trends when planning long-term career moves
Is this career right for you?
Personality & Values Fit
Is This Career Right for You?
Dispatchers, Except Police, Fire, and Ambulance professionals typically have a CRE Holland code and highly value support
CConventional
RRealistic
EEnterprising
Important Personality Traits
Work styles that contribute to success as a Dispatchers, Except Police, Fire, and Ambulance
Stress Tolerance
CriticalStress Tolerance
Importance Level4.68
Attention to Detail
CriticalAttention to Detail
Importance Level4.61
Dependability
Very ImportantDependability
Importance Level4.47
Leadership
Very ImportantLeadership
Importance Level4.43
Cooperation
Very ImportantCooperation
Importance Level4.30
Integrity
Very ImportantIntegrity
Importance Level4.28
Complete Work Styles Profile
Stress Tolerance
4.7
Attention to Detail
4.6
Dependability
4.5
Leadership
4.4
Cooperation
4.3
Integrity
4.3
Adaptability/Flexibility
4.3
Initiative
4.2
Analytical Thinking
4.2
Self-Control
4.1
💡 Tips for Career Fit Success
- •While personality fit is important, skills can be developed with practice and training
- •Consider informational interviews to better understand the day-to-day personality requirements
- •Work environments vary by employer - research specific companies for cultural fit
- •Your interests and values may evolve - reassess periodically throughout your career
What education is required?
Education Level
High school diploma or equivalent
Typical duration: High school diploma or GED
Preparation Level
Job Zone 2
Some Preparation Needed
Experience Needed
Some previous work-related skill, knowledge, or experience may be helpful
📚 Education Requirement
Required Level:High school diploma or equivalent
These occupations usually require a high school diploma and may require some vocational training or job-related course work.
Training:
Training of a few months to a year
💼 Experience Requirement
Some previous work-related skill, knowledge, or experience may be helpful
Common pathways to gain experience:
- • Some previous work-related skill, knowledge, or experience
- • Vocational school programs (6 months to 2 years)
- • Industry certifications helpful
2
Job Zone Two: Some Preparation Needed
These occupations usually require a high school diploma and may require some vocational training or job-related course work.
Some previous work-related skill, knowledge, or experienceVocational school programs (6 months to 2 years)Industry certifications helpful
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