Dispatchers, Except Police, Fire, and Ambulance Salary
Dispatchers, Except Police, Fire, and Ambulance earn a median $50,340 a year nationally. Office and Administrative Support Occupations
U.S. median
$50,340
$24.20 per hour
Range
$36,030 – $78,140
10th to 90th percentile
Employed
202,810
across the U.S.
▲3.0%
Pay trend: The median for dispatchers, except police, fire, and ambulance in the U.S. rose from $48,880 (May 2024) to $50,340 (May 2025). That beat inflation (2.4%), a real raise of about 0.6%.
What dispatchers, except police, fire, and ambulance do
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.
- Typical education
- High school diploma or equivalent
- Work experience
- None required
- On-the-job training
- Moderate-term on-the-job training
- Job outlook, 2025–35
- -0.7% (slower than average)
- Openings per year
- 16,000
- Self-employed
- 1%
Employment of dispatchers, except police, fire, and ambulance is projected to shrink 0.7% from 2025 to 2035, slower than the 3.5% average for all occupations. About 16,000 openings are expected each year, on average, including jobs left by workers who retire or switch careers.
Source: BLS Standard Occupational Classification and Employment Projections, 2025–35.
Dispatchers, Except Police, Fire, and Ambulance take-home pay calculator
Starts at the national median. Pick your state to see your real paycheck.
Your take-home pay
$42,628
per year · effective tax rate 15.3%
$3,552Monthly
$1,776Twice a month
$1,640Every 2 weeks
$20.49Hourly
- Federal income tax$3,861
- Social Security (6.2%)$3,121
- Medicare (1.45%)$730
- Texas income tax$0
- Take-home pay$42,628
Marginal rate: 12% federal + 0.00% state
Pay by experience
| Percentile | Salary | Hourly | Take-home (no state tax) |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $36,030 | $17.32 | $31,130 |
| 25th percentile | $42,750 | $20.55 | $36,530 |
| Median (50th) | $50,340 | $24.20 | $42,628 |
| 75th percentile | $62,450 | $30.02 | $52,359 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $78,140 | $37.57 | $63,801 |
Best cities for dispatchers, except police, fire, and ambulance (after tax & cost of living)
| # | Metro area | Median | Take-home | Real value* | Jobs |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Seattle, WA | $59,340 | $49,860 | $44,865 | 2,950 |
| 2 | Washington, DC | $57,160 | $45,839 | $42,099 | 3,540 |
| 3 | Houston, TX | $48,550 | $41,190 | $41,762 | 5,720 |
| 4 | Boston, MA | $56,560 | $45,018 | $41,581 | 2,440 |
| 5 | New York, NY | $58,180 | $46,383 | $41,206 | 11,590 |
| 6 | Philadelphia, PA | $51,170 | $41,724 | $40,685 | 3,430 |
| 7 | San Francisco, CA | $58,610 | $46,945 | $40,605 | 3,010 |
| 8 | Riverside, CA | $52,000 | $42,117 | $39,568 | 3,250 |
| 9 | Atlanta, GA | $48,930 | $39,579 | $39,556 | 3,690 |
| 10 | Dallas, TX | $48,030 | $40,772 | $39,550 | 7,170 |
| 11 | Phoenix, AZ | $48,280 | $39,975 | $38,692 | 4,200 |
| 12 | Los Angeles, CA | $52,170 | $42,241 | $37,195 | 7,700 |
| 13 | Miami, FL | $45,980 | $39,125 | $34,274 | 3,550 |
*Take-home pay in U.S.-average dollars (BEA Regional Price Parities).
Highest-paying cities
- Seattle, WA — $59,340
- San Francisco, CA — $58,610
- New York, NY — $58,180
- Washington, DC — $57,160
- Boston, MA — $56,560
- Los Angeles, CA — $52,170
- Riverside, CA — $52,000
- Philadelphia, PA — $51,170
- Atlanta, GA — $48,930
- Houston, TX — $48,550
- Phoenix, AZ — $48,280
- Dallas, TX — $48,030
- Miami, FL — $45,980
Dispatchers, Except Police, Fire, and Ambulance salary by state
| State | Median | 1-yr change | Take-home | Range | Jobs |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| District of Columbia | $72,260 | −0.9% | $56,415 | $45,000 – $99,870 | 300 |
| Washington | $59,330 | +2.4% | $49,852 | $44,050 – $88,000 | 4,920 |
| Minnesota | $59,220 | +4.0% | $47,260 | $39,420 – $82,360 | 2,760 |
| North Dakota | $57,580 | −0.6% | $48,446 | $38,560 – $82,030 | 600 |
| Illinois | $57,240 | −8.1% | $45,484 | $37,380 – $83,600 | — |
| Delaware | $57,170 | +18.9% | $45,620 | $37,710 – $68,640 | 670 |
| Alaska | $56,730 | −1.9% | $47,763 | $39,530 – $96,920 | 570 |
| Vermont | $56,360 | +3.3% | $46,011 | $40,430 – $73,780 | 260 |
| New York | $55,810 | +7.5% | $44,607 | $36,720 – $105,780 | 11,160 |
| Massachusetts | $55,690 | +1.6% | $44,362 | $42,460 – $84,150 | 3,510 |
| Maine | $55,150 | +8.3% | $43,952 | $39,530 – $81,700 | 670 |
| Oregon | $54,980 | +11.8% | $42,375 | $40,630 – $77,470 | 3,290 |
| New Jersey | $54,590 | +3.6% | $44,575 | $39,730 – $79,890 | 6,420 |
| Colorado | $54,070 | +2.8% | $43,955 | $40,430 – $79,420 | 3,470 |
| Nebraska | $53,880 | +9.6% | $43,901 | $38,790 – $95,260 | 1,500 |
| New Hampshire | $52,770 | +1.3% | $44,581 | $37,440 – $74,280 | 710 |
| Hawaii | $52,570 | +6.9% | $41,951 | $37,760 – $88,250 | 950 |
| California | $52,350 | +4.6% | $42,372 | $39,520 – $81,070 | 23,970 |
| Wisconsin | $52,350 | +5.2% | $42,721 | $36,090 – $75,910 | 3,240 |
| Missouri | $51,410 | +2.8% | $42,009 | $36,720 – $101,750 | 4,340 |
| Maryland | $51,350 | +1.6% | $41,364 | $36,740 – $80,320 | 3,310 |
| Utah | $51,010 | +2.7% | $41,837 | $36,550 – $74,870 | 2,040 |
| Virginia | $50,710 | +8.1% | $40,824 | $38,370 – $71,910 | 5,830 |
| Ohio | $50,320 | +2.6% | $42,011 | $35,540 – $76,430 | 5,720 |
| Indiana | $50,060 | +3.3% | $40,956 | $35,740 – $74,960 | 4,090 |
| Kentucky | $49,990 | +3.0% | $40,715 | $34,880 – $77,330 | 2,440 |
| Pennsylvania | $49,960 | +3.6% | $40,789 | $36,090 – $76,180 | 6,670 |
| Idaho | $49,660 | +15.2% | $40,558 | $30,630 – $78,630 | 1,430 |
| Tennessee | $49,660 | +3.3% | $42,082 | $34,850 – $69,420 | 4,190 |
| Michigan | $49,490 | +3.1% | $40,093 | $34,880 – $80,650 | 5,390 |
| Rhode Island | $49,320 | +4.6% | $40,576 | $37,070 – $83,390 | 530 |
| Georgia | $49,180 | +1.8% | $39,766 | $32,770 – $74,700 | 6,190 |
| Alabama | $48,790 | +5.8% | $39,208 | $34,490 – $72,740 | 1,780 |
| Wyoming | $48,690 | +7.9% | $41,302 | $32,130 – $82,330 | 240 |
| North Carolina | $48,230 | +2.2% | $39,517 | $35,930 – $71,010 | 5,740 |
| Connecticut | $47,960 | −7.7% | $39,483 | $41,600 – $80,370 | 2,220 |
| Nevada | $47,920 | +5.4% | $40,684 | $34,860 – $77,600 | 2,840 |
| Arizona | $47,880 | +2.5% | $39,663 | $37,450 – $68,900 | 5,690 |
| South Carolina | $47,550 | +6.4% | $38,691 | $32,110 – $74,070 | 2,440 |
| Texas | $47,320 | +3.1% | $40,202 | $32,130 – $74,760 | 23,920 |
| Kansas | $47,170 | +3.0% | $38,249 | $32,400 – $72,480 | 1,670 |
| Montana | $47,140 | +1.6% | $38,598 | $36,230 – $67,440 | 810 |
| Arkansas | $47,130 | −1.1% | $38,424 | $30,020 – $65,160 | 1,780 |
| Louisiana | $47,050 | +3.5% | $38,959 | $32,350 – $73,820 | 2,980 |
| Iowa | $47,000 | −7.8% | $38,810 | $36,960 – $75,280 | 1,460 |
| West Virginia | $46,620 | −1.0% | $38,269 | $28,600 – $71,970 | 880 |
| Florida | $45,880 | +8.4% | $39,045 | $35,350 – $69,490 | 12,550 |
| Mississippi | $45,660 | −1.3% | $37,773 | $28,620 – $71,930 | 2,000 |
| Oklahoma | $44,950 | +1.0% | $36,820 | $31,170 – $71,760 | 2,180 |
| New Mexico | $43,960 | +4.6% | $36,579 | $31,740 – $70,720 | 1,350 |
| South Dakota | $43,920 | −0.5% | $37,470 | $30,510 – $55,900 | 860 |
Related jobs
| Job | Median salary | Education | Growth 2025–35 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Public Safety Telecommunicator | $53,040 | High school diploma or equivalent | +3.7% |
| Cargo and Freight Agent | $52,260 | High school diploma or equivalent | +6.2% |
| Meter Readers, Utilities | $48,150 | High school diploma or equivalent | -10.5% |
| Weighers, Measurers, Checkers, and Samplers, Recordkeeping | $46,380 | High school diploma or equivalent | -4.8% |
| Shipping, Receiving, and Inventory Clerks | $45,260 | High school diploma or equivalent | -7.6% |
| Postal Service Mail Sorters, Processors, and Processing Machine Operators | $58,470 | No formal educational credential | -5.3% |
| Production, Planning, and Expediting Clerks | $59,650 | High school diploma or equivalent | -1.3% |
| Postal Service Mail Carrier | $60,550 | No formal educational credential | -0.3% |
| Courier and Messenger | $39,200 | High school diploma or equivalent | +8.0% |
| Postal Service Clerk | $62,130 | No formal educational credential | -0.3% |
Frequently asked questions
How much does a dispatchers, except police, fire, and ambulance make?
The national median salary for dispatchers, except police, fire, and ambulance is $50,340 a year ($24.20 an hour). The lowest-paid 10% earn under $36,030 and the top 10% earn over $78,140. Source: BLS, May 2025.
Which state pays dispatchers, except police, fire, and ambulance the most?
District of Columbia has the highest median pay at $72,260. After taxes and local prices, Seattle, WA offers the best real take-home pay of any metro area.
How many dispatchers, except police, fire, and ambulance are there in the U.S.?
About 202,810 people work as dispatchers, except police, fire, and ambulance nationwide.