Public Safety Telecommunicators

Job Zone 2 - Some preparation needed

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.

Pay & job outlook

Median pay: $53,040/yr (U.S. national, May 2025)

$37,320$79,830

Typical range nationwide (10th–90th percentile). This is a population snapshot, not a personal prediction - actual pay varies by location, employer, and experience.

Job outlook: +3.5% projected growth, 2024–2034 — about as fast as average.

About 10,700 openings per year, on average, over the decade.

Typical entry-level education: High school diploma or equivalent.

Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, OEWS and Employment Projections.

Top skills

Active ListeningSpeakingSocial PerceptivenessCritical ThinkingService OrientationCoordinationReading ComprehensionJudgment and Decision MakingComplex Problem SolvingMonitoring

Top knowledge areas

Public Safety and SecurityLaw and GovernmentEnglish LanguageTelecommunicationsCustomer and Personal ServiceGeographyCommunications and MediaComputers and Electronics

Core tasks

• Provide emergency medical instructions to callers.

• Question callers to determine their locations and the nature of their problems to determine type of response needed.

• Determine response requirements and relative priorities of situations, and dispatch units in accordance with established procedures.

• 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.

• Relay information and messages to and from emergency sites, to law enforcement agencies, and to all other individuals or groups requiring notification.

• Record details of calls, dispatches, and messages.

• Monitor various radio frequencies, such as those used by public works departments, school security, and civil defense, to stay apprised of developing situations.

• Read and effectively interpret small-scale maps and information from a computer screen to determine locations and provide directions.

Frequently asked questions

What's the median pay for Public Safety Telecommunicators?

The median pay for Public Safety Telecommunicators is $53,040 per year, per the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics.

What's the job outlook for Public Safety Telecommunicators?

Employment for Public Safety Telecommunicators is projected to change +3.5% from 2024 to 2034 - about as fast as average.

What education is typically required for Public Safety Telecommunicators?

Typical entry-level education: High school diploma or equivalent.

How many job openings are there each year for Public Safety Telecommunicators?

About 10,700 openings per year, on average, over the decade.