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.
Public Safety Telecommunicators
SOC: 43-5031 O*NET: 43-5031.00
Median Salary
$50,730
per year
Job Growth
➡️ 3.5%
Average (2024-2034)
Annual Openings
10.7
projected jobs/year
Education Level
High school diploma or equivalent
Job Zone 2
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.
What does a Public Safety Telecommunicators do?
How much can you earn?
Entry Level
$35,640
10th percentile
Early Career
$42,140
25th percentile
Median
$50,730
50th percentile
Experienced
$62,840
75th percentile
Top Earners
$78,110
90th percentile
National Salary Distribution
10th
$35,640
25th
$42,140
Middle 50%
MEDIAN
$50,730
Mean: $54,800
75th
$62,840
90th
$78,110
Middle 50% of earners
Median salary
Mean (average)
Key Insights
- •Salary range spans $42,470 from entry level to top earners
- •Middle 50% earn between $42,140 and $62,840
- •Salary spread is 40.8% around the median, showing high variation
- •Total national employment: 101,140 professionals
What's the job outlook?
Job Market Intelligence
Medium Demand
Market demand
Medium Risk
Automation risk
Current Employment
National Employment:105,200
Top Industries
Ambulatory Health Care Services5.6%
Other Ambulatory Health Care Services5.5%
Ambulance Services5.5%
10-Year Outlook
Growth Rate:+3.5%
Annual Openings:10,700
Employment Projections
2024 (Current)105,200
Current
2034 (Projected)108,900
+3.5%
+3,600
Employment Change
+3.5%
Growth Rate
10
Year Projection
Growth Category: As fast as average
Geographic Salary & Employment Data
Explore where Public Safety Telecommunicators professionals work across the United States
Showing 15 of 50 locations
California
8,510 jobs$78,2100.72x
Texas
7,660 jobs$48,4100.84x
Florida
6,290 jobs$48,8600.98x
New York
5,620 jobs$59,4400.90x
Ohio
4,490 jobs$56,7701.24x
New Jersey
3,940 jobs$58,7601.41x
Illinois
3,730 jobs$59,8600.94x
North Carolina
3,640 jobs$44,3701.13x
Pennsylvania
3,490 jobs$49,3300.89x
Georgia
3,370 jobs$40,5001.06x
Virginia
2,930 jobs$48,4501.10x
Massachusetts
2,920 jobs$59,3101.22x
Washington
2,580 jobs$77,3101.11x
Missouri
2,440 jobs$43,8401.28x
Michigan
2,350 jobs$49,3200.82x
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
- •Average growth expected
What skills do you need?
Top 10 Most Important Skills
#1
Active Listening
100%
#2
Speaking
94%
#3
Social Perceptiveness
86%
#4
Coordination
80%
#5
Service Orientation
74%
#6
Critical Thinking
66%
#7
Reading Comprehension
60%
#8
Judgment and Decision Making
54%
#9
Complex Problem Solving
46%
#10
Persuasion
40%
Skills Overview
Active Listening
advanced5.0
100%
Speaking
advanced4.7
94%
Social Perceptiveness
intermediate4.3
86%
Coordination
intermediate4.0
80%
Service Orientation
intermediate3.7
74%
Critical Thinking
intermediate3.3
66%
Reading Comprehension
basic3.0
60%
Judgment and Decision Making
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:
Active Listening
advancedImportance100%
skills
5.0/5.0
Speaking
advancedImportance94%
skills
4.7/5.0
Social Perceptiveness
intermediateImportance86%
skills
4.3/5.0
Coordination
intermediateImportance80%
skills
4.0/5.0
Service Orientation
intermediateImportance74%
skills
3.7/5.0
Critical Thinking
intermediateImportance66%
abilities
3.3/5.0
Reading Comprehension
basicImportance60%
abilities
3.0/5.0
Judgment and Decision Making
basicImportance54%
abilities
2.7/5.0
Complex Problem Solving
advancedImportance46%
abilities
2.3/5.0
Persuasion
basicImportance40%
skills
2.0/5.0
Highly Transferable Skills
These skills are valuable across multiple career paths, making career transitions easier:
Athletes and Sports Competitors82%
5 shared skills
Police and Sheriff's Patrol Officers82%
5 shared skills
Fish and Game Wardens82%
5 shared skills
Fundraising Managers82%
5 shared skills
Patient Representatives82%
5 shared skills
Midwives82%
5 shared skills
Skills by Career Stage
Entry Level
Must Have:
- ✓Active Listening
- ✓Speaking
- ✓Social Perceptiveness
- ✓Coordination
Learn on the Job:
- →Critical Thinking
- →Reading Comprehension
- →Judgment and Decision Making
Mid Career
Expected:
- ✓Active Listening
- ✓Speaking
- ✓Social Perceptiveness
- ✓Coordination
Senior Level
Mastery Required:
- ★Active Listening
- ★Speaking
- ★Social Perceptiveness
- ★Service Orientation
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 Public Safety Telecommunicators
Technology Intensity
High
Digital Literacy Requirements
This career requires advanced digital literacy
1
Basic
2
Intermediate
3
Advanced
4
Expert
Key Digital Competencies:
Proficiency with specialized softwareTechnical documentationData analysis toolsSystem integration
🔥
Hot Technologies in Demand
These technologies are currently trending and highly sought after in this field
Microsoft Access
🔥 Hot TechMicrosoft SharePoint
🔥 Hot TechMicrosoft Outlook
🔥 Hot TechSAP software
🔥 Hot TechMicrosoft Office software
🔥 Hot TechMicrosoft PowerPoint
🔥 Hot TechMicrosoft Excel
🔥 Hot TechMicrosoft Word
🔥 Hot TechTechnology Stack
Technology Stack Overview
Key technologies used in this career
Microsoft Access
Microsoft SharePoint
Microsoft Outlook
SAP software
Microsoft Office software
Microsoft PowerPoint
Microsoft Excel
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
CONSTANT 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 constant team team environments?
- •Are you comfortable working with safety protocols and protective equipment?
What are the key tasks?
Tasks & Responsibilities
18
Core Tasks
8
Daily Tasks
20
Work Activities
0
Emerging Tasks
Filter:
Sort by:
General Responsibilities (11)Documentation & Record-Keeping (4)Planning & Development (1)Management & Supervision (1)Training & Development (1)
1
Determine response requirements and relative priorities of situations, and dispatch units in accordance with established procedures.
🔴Daily
Importance:
General Responsibilities100% perform100%
2
Record details of calls, dispatches, and messages.
🔴Daily
Importance:
Documentation & Record-Keeping97% perform98%
3
Question callers to determine their locations and the nature of their problems to determine type of response needed.
🔴Daily
Importance:
General Responsibilities94% perform96%
4
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.
🔴Daily
Importance:
General Responsibilities91% perform94%
5
Scan status charts and computer screens, and contact emergency response field units to determine emergency units available for dispatch.
🔴Daily
Importance:
General Responsibilities88% perform92%
6
Relay information and messages to and from emergency sites, to law enforcement agencies, and to all other individuals or groups requiring notification.
🔴Daily
Importance:
General Responsibilities85% perform90%
7
Receive 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.
🔴Daily
Importance:
General Responsibilities82% perform88%
8
Maintain access to, and security of, highly sensitive materials.
🔴Daily
Importance:
Documentation & Record-Keeping79% perform86%
9
Observe alarm registers and scan maps to determine whether a specific emergency is in the dispatch service area.
🟡Weekly
Importance:
General Responsibilities76% perform84%
10
Maintain files of information relating to emergency calls, such as personnel rosters and emergency call-out and pager files.
🟡Weekly
Importance:
Documentation & Record-Keeping73% perform82%
💡 Key Takeaways
- •Daily tasks focus primarily on general responsibilities activities
- •39% 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 Public Safety Telecommunicators
💡 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?
Public Safety Telecommunicators professionals typically have a CRS Holland code and highly value relationships
CConventional
RRealistic
SSocial
Important Personality Traits
Work styles that contribute to success as a Public Safety Telecommunicators
Self-Control
CriticalSelf-Control
Importance Level4.88
Stress Tolerance
CriticalStress Tolerance
Importance Level4.84
Integrity
CriticalIntegrity
Importance Level4.55
Attention to Detail
CriticalAttention to Detail
Importance Level4.54
Dependability
Very ImportantDependability
Importance Level4.47
Cooperation
Very ImportantCooperation
Importance Level4.38
Complete Work Styles Profile
Self-Control
4.9
Stress Tolerance
4.8
Integrity
4.5
Attention to Detail
4.5
Dependability
4.5
Cooperation
4.4
Concern for Others
4.3
Persistence
4.2
Adaptability/Flexibility
4.2
Analytical Thinking
3.9
💡 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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