Dispatchers, Except Police, Fire, and Ambulance

Job Zone 2 - Some preparation needed

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.

Pay & job outlook

Median pay: $50,340/yr (U.S. national, May 2025)

$36,030$78,140

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: -0.9% projected growth, 2024–2034 — declining.

About 18,500 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 ListeningSpeakingCoordinationMonitoringReading ComprehensionTime ManagementCritical ThinkingSocial PerceptivenessWritingService Orientation

Top knowledge areas

Customer and Personal ServicePublic Safety and SecurityAdministration and ManagementAdministrativeEnglish LanguageTransportationPersonnel and Human ResourcesComputers and Electronics

Core tasks

• Schedule or dispatch workers, work crews, equipment, or service vehicles to appropriate locations, according to customer requests, specifications, or needs, using radios or telephones.

• Prepare daily work and run schedules.

• Confer with customers or supervising personnel to address questions, problems, or requests for service or equipment.

• Relay work orders, messages, or information to or from work crews, supervisors, or field inspectors, using telephones or two-way radios.

• Receive or prepare work orders.

• Record and maintain files or records of customer requests, work or services performed, charges, expenses, inventory, or other dispatch information.

• Arrange for necessary repairs to restore service and schedules.

• Monitor personnel or equipment locations and utilization to coordinate service and schedules.

Frequently asked questions

What's the median pay for Dispatchers, Except Police, Fire, and Ambulance?

The median pay for Dispatchers, Except Police, Fire, and Ambulance is $50,340 per year, per the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics.

What's the job outlook for Dispatchers, Except Police, Fire, and Ambulance?

Employment for Dispatchers, Except Police, Fire, and Ambulance is projected to change -0.9% from 2024 to 2034 - declining.

What education is typically required for Dispatchers, Except Police, Fire, and Ambulance?

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

How many job openings are there each year for Dispatchers, Except Police, Fire, and Ambulance?

About 18,500 openings per year, on average, over the decade.