Salary guide
911 Dispatcher Salary & Pay Scale (2026)
What 911 dispatchers earn per year, per hour and per month, with the full percentile range, the factors that move pay and how to earn more.
The median 911 dispatcher salary in the U.S. is $53,040 per year, or $25.50 per hour, based on Bureau of Labor Statistics data for May 2025. The lowest-paid 10% earned under $37,320, while the top 10% earned more than $79,830.
Pay data: BLS OEWS, May 2025 · Outlook: BLS 2025–35 · Checked October 15, 2026
911 Dispatcher pay scale
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly* | What it usually reflects |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile | $37,320 | $17.94 | Typical for new workers, part-time markets and lower-paying settings |
| 25th percentile | $45,210 | $21.74 | Early career, a year or two of experience |
| Median (50th) | $53,040 | $25.50 | Mid-career: half earn more, half earn less |
| 75th percentile | $64,260 | $30.89 | Experienced workers, specialists and higher-paying employers |
| 90th percentile | $79,830 | $38.38 | Top earners: senior, specialized, supervisory or high-cost areas |
*Hourly figures are annual wages divided by 2,080 hours. Percentile descriptions are general patterns, not guarantees.
Monthly and biweekly pay
| Pay period | At 25th percentile | At median | At 75th percentile |
|---|---|---|---|
| Per year | $45,210 | $53,040 | $64,260 |
| Per month | $3,768 | $4,420 | $5,355 |
| Every two weeks | $1,739 | $2,040 | $2,472 |
| Per week | $869 | $1,020 | $1,236 |
Gross pay before taxes and deductions.
What affects 911 dispatcher pay
- Agency size and local government budgets
- Rank, seniority and specialty assignments
- Overtime, shift differentials and court time
- State licensing and armed-guard credentials for security work
- Geography and cost of living: metropolitan areas and some states pay well above the national median
How to earn more as a 911 dispatcher
- Get credentialed: APCO Public Safety Telecommunicator, Emergency Medical Dispatch (EMD), CPR certification.
- Build specialty experience: Dispatch units and manage radios.
- Move up: roles such as communications training officer or supervisor and center manager typically pay more.
- Negotiate: research local pay and use our salary negotiation guide.
911 Dispatcher pay vs. related careers
Job outlook
BLS projects employment of 911 dispatchers to change by +3.7% from 2025–35, about as fast as average compared with the 3.5% average for all occupations. About 9,000 openings are projected each year, on average, including openings to replace workers who retire or change occupations.
About this data
Figures come from the BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics survey (May 2025), which covers wage and salary workers nationwide under SOC code 43-5031 (“Public safety telecommunicators”). Wages exclude self-employment income, overtime and most bonuses unless they are part of regular pay. We refresh these numbers when BLS releases new estimates each spring.
911 Dispatcher salary FAQ
How much does a 911 dispatcher make per hour?
The median hourly wage for 911 dispatchers was $25.50 in May 2025 (BLS). Hourly pay for the lowest 10% was about $17.94 and the top 10% earned about $38.38 or more.
How much does a 911 dispatcher make a month?
At the median annual wage of $53,040, that works out to about $4,420 per month before taxes, or about $2,040 every two weeks.
What is the starting salary for a 911 dispatcher?
New 911 dispatchers often start near the lower end of the range. The 10th percentile was $37,320 and the 25th percentile was $45,210 per year in May 2025. Starting pay depends on location, employer and credentials.
How can 911 dispatchers earn more?
Common ways include earning APCO Public Safety Telecommunicator and Emergency Medical Dispatch (EMD), gaining specialty experience, taking shifts or roles with premium pay, and moving up the career ladder to roles such as communications training officer or supervisor.
Sources
- U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), May 2025, SOC 43-5031 (Public safety telecommunicators).
- U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, BLS Employment Projections, Table 1.2 (2025–35).
- O*NET OnLine summary for Public safety telecommunicators (U.S. Department of Labor).
- BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook.
Reviewed by the Career Education Institute Curriculum Team. Pay figures are national estimates; local pay varies. See our editorial policy.