How Much Does a 911 Dispatcher Make? Salary by State
Median annual salary (U.S.)
$53,040
911 dispatchers in the U.S. earn a median of $53,040 a year, or $25.50 an hour. Half of 911 dispatchers earn more than $53,040 and half earn less. The top 10% make more than $79,830.
Pay percentiles for 911 dispatchers
| Percentile | Hourly | Annual |
|---|---|---|
| 10th | $17.94 | $37,320 |
| 25th | $21.74 | $45,210 |
| 50th (median) | $25.50 | $53,040 |
| 75th | $30.90 | $64,260 |
| 90th | $38.38 | $79,830 |
U.S. wages, May 2025. BLS occupation: Public Safety Telecommunicators (SOC 43-5031). Source: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS)
Highest-paying states for 911 dispatchers
| State | Median annual | Median hourly | vs. U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|
| California | $80,120 | $38.52 | +51% |
| Washington | $78,850 | $37.91 | +49% |
| Oregon | $71,980 | $34.61 | +36% |
| Alaska | $66,660 | $32.05 | +26% |
| Minnesota | $66,550 | $31.99 | +25% |
| Colorado | $63,520 | $30.54 | +20% |
| Connecticut | $62,410 | $30.00 | +18% |
| Massachusetts | $61,720 | $29.67 | +16% |
| New York | $61,450 | $29.54 | +16% |
| Illinois | $61,260 | $29.45 | +15% |
| United States | $53,040 | $25.50 | — |
Top 10 states by median annual wage, May 2025. Source: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS)
How many 911 dispatchers are there?
BLS counts about 102,500 911 dispatchers employed in the U.S. (May 2025, excluding the self-employed). These figures cover the BLS occupation “Public Safety Telecommunicators”. The most jobs are in California (8,520), Texas (7,730) and Florida (6,090).
The mean (average) annual wage is $56,740, higher than the median of $53,040.
Hourly to annual pay calculator
Per year
- Monthly
- $4,420
- Biweekly
- $2,040
- Weekly
- $1,020
- Daily (8 hours)
- $204
- Hours per year
- 2,080
BLS annual figure; hourly × 2,080 may differ slightly.
Frequently asked questions
How much do 911 dispatchers make an hour?
The median hourly wage for 911 dispatchers is $25.50. The middle 50% earn between $21.74 and $30.90 an hour.
Which state pays 911 dispatchers the most?
California has the highest median wage for 911 dispatchers at $80,120, +51% vs. the U.S. median.
What is the starting salary for 911 dispatchers?
BLS does not report pay by experience, but the lowest-paid 10% of 911 dispatchers earn less than $37,320 a year, a common proxy for entry-level pay.