What Dispatchers, Except Police, Fire, and Ambulance do
The U.S. Department of Labor's O*NET database describes the work of Dispatchers, Except Police, Fire, and Ambulance this way: "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."
The core tasks O*NET records for this occupation include: "Schedule or dispatch workers, work crews, equipment, or service vehicles to appropriate locations, according to customer requests, specifications, or needs, using radios or telephones"; "Arrange for necessary repairs to restore service and schedules"; "Relay work orders, messages, or information to or from work crews, supervisors, or field inspectors, using telephones or two-way radios"; "Confer with customers or supervising personnel to address questions, problems, or requests for service or equipment"; "Prepare daily work and run schedules".
Education, experience and training
According to the BLS Employment Projections, the typical education needed to enter this occupation is high school diploma or equivalent. Typical on-the-job training to reach competency is moderate-term on-the-job training.
Job outlook for Dispatchers, Except Police, Fire, and Ambulance
The Bureau of Labor Statistics counted 203,500 jobs in this occupation in 2025 and projects 202,100 in 2035, a decrease of 1,400 jobs (-0.7%). That is slower than the 3.5% projected for all occupations.
About 16,000 openings a year are projected on average, counting both new positions and positions vacated by workers who retire or switch occupations. Relative to today's employment that is 7.9% a year, against 10.3% for all occupations. BLS lists a national median annual wage of $50,340, compared with $50,980 for all occupations.
Where Dispatchers, Except Police, Fire, and Ambulance earn the most
Across the 2 states with published data, the employment-weighted average of local median wages for this occupation ranges from $55,861 in New York to $56,257 in New Jersey, a gap of $396 (1.01 times). 2 of those 2 states average above the BLS national median of $50,340 and 0 average at or below it.
New Jersey employs the most people in this occupation among the states covered, 16,030, which is 51.2% of the 31,330 counted across them. New York follows with 15,300.
Highest-paying states
New Jersey ($56,257) and New York ($55,861) lead the ranking, while New York ($55,861) and New Jersey ($56,257) are at the bottom. The table below lists every state with a link to its county-level detail.
Occupations related to Dispatchers, Except Police, Fire, and Ambulance
Other occupations in the same SOC minor group (43-5000) include Postal Service Mail Carriers, Production, Planning, and Expediting Clerks, Postal Service Mail Sorters, Processors, and Processing Machine Operators and Cargo and Freight Agents.
Frequently asked questions about Dispatchers, Except Police, Fire, and Ambulance
How much do Dispatchers, Except Police, Fire, and Ambulance earn in the United States?
BLS lists a national median annual wage of $50,340. Across the states covered here the average local median ranges from $55,861 to $56,257.
Which state pays Dispatchers, Except Police, Fire, and Ambulance the most?
New Jersey, with an employment-weighted average local median wage of $56,257. New York is next at $55,861.
Is Dispatchers, Except Police, Fire, and Ambulance a growing occupation?
BLS projects employment to shrink by 0.7% between 2025 and 2035, compared with 3.5% for all occupations, with about 16,000 openings a year.
What education do Dispatchers, Except Police, Fire, and Ambulance need?
The typical entry-level education is high school diploma or equivalent and moderate-term on-the-job training, according to BLS.