Public Safety Telecommunicators Salary in the United States
The median annual wage for public safety telecommunicators in the U.S. is $53,040 ($25.50 per hour), according to the BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics program, May 2025 estimates.
- Median annual wage
- $53,040
- Mean annual wage
- $56,740
- Median hourly wage
- $25.50
- Employment
- 102,500
102,500 employed
Wage percentiles
| Percentile | Annual wage | Hourly wage |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile | $37,320 | $17.94 |
| 25th percentile | $45,210 | $21.74 |
| Median (50th) | $53,040 | $25.50 |
| 75th percentile | $64,260 | $30.90 |
| 90th percentile | $79,830 | $38.38 |
Highest-paying states for public safety telecommunicators
| State | Median annual wage | Employment |
|---|---|---|
| California | $80,120 | 8,520 |
| Washington | $78,850 | 1,980 |
| Oregon | $71,980 | 1,110 |
| Alaska | $66,660 | 390 |
| Minnesota | $66,550 | 1,460 |
| Colorado | $63,520 | 1,800 |
| Connecticut | $62,410 | 1,820 |
| Massachusetts | $61,720 | 2,790 |
| New York | $61,450 | 5,470 |
| Illinois | $61,260 | 4,350 |
Lowest-paying states
- Mississippi: $34,510 median annual wage
- Arkansas: $38,240 median annual wage
- Louisiana: $38,550 median annual wage
- Alabama: $38,960 median annual wage
- Oklahoma: $39,890 median annual wage
About this occupation
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.
Typical tasks
- Relay information and messages to and from emergency sites, to law enforcement agencies, and to all other individuals or groups requiring notification.
- Monitor various radio frequencies, such as those used by public works departments, school security, and civil defense, to stay apprised of developing situations.
- 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.
- Answer routine inquiries, and refer calls not requiring dispatches to appropriate departments and agencies.
- Learn material and pass required tests for certification.
- Observe alarm registers and scan maps to determine whether a specific emergency is in the dispatch service area.
Education of the current workforce — typical entry: High school diploma or equivalent
| Education level | Share of workers |
|---|---|
| Less than high school diploma | 0.7% |
| High school diploma or equivalent | 21.9% |
| Some college, no degree | 36.8% |
| Associate's degree | 15.9% |
| Bachelor's degree | 20.7% |
| Master's degree | 3.1% |
| Doctoral or professional degree | 0.8% |
Occupation profile data from CareerOneStop, sponsored by the U.S. Department of Labor.
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About this data
- Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics — data period May 2025, retrieved August 13, 2026.
- Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics — data period May 2025, retrieved August 13, 2026.
- CareerOneStop Occupation Profiles — data period 2026-08, retrieved August 14, 2026.
Figures are shown exactly as published by the source or derived by the documented formulas on our methodology page. Where a source suppresses an estimate, we show “—” rather than a substitute value.