# Public Safety Telecommunicators

> 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.

- Edition: Data verified Nov 2026 · CollegesRef 2026–27 edition
- Page: https://www.collegesref.com/careers/public-safety-telecommunicators
- SOC code: 43-5031.00
- Career family: Office and administrative support
- Median annual pay: $53,040 (10th percentile $37,320, 90th percentile $79,830)
- Projected growth: As fast as average, +3.7%
- Openings a year: 9,000
- Typical entry education: High school diploma
- Bright outlook: no
- Data years: BLS 2025 wages · 2025–35 projections

## Interest profile (code CRS)

| Interest area | Score (0–100) |
| --- | ---: |
| Realistic (R) | 56 |
| Investigative (I) | 32 |
| Artistic (A) | 0 |
| Social (S) | 44 |
| Enterprising (E) | 32 |
| Conventional (C) | 75 |

## What you'd do

- Working with Computers (importance 97/100)
- Communicating with People Outside the Organization (importance 95/100)
- Documenting/Recording Information (importance 94/100)
- Getting Information (importance 91/100)
- Processing Information (importance 87/100)
- Making Decisions and Solving Problems (importance 85/100)
- Communicating with Supervisors, Peers, or Subordinates (importance 85/100)
- Performing for or Working Directly with the Public (importance 85/100)
- Updating and Using Relevant Knowledge (importance 84/100)
- Assisting and Caring for Others (importance 80/100)

## Skills

Active Listening, Speaking, Social Perceptiveness, Coordination, Critical Thinking, Service Orientation, Reading Comprehension, Judgment and Decision Making, Complex Problem Solving, Active Learning

## Knowledge

Public Safety and Security, Law and Government, English Language, Telecommunications, Customer and Personal Service, Geography, Communications and Media, Computers and Electronics, Administrative, Education and Training

## Also called

911 Dispatcher, 911 Emergency Dispatcher, 911 Emergency Services Dispatcher, 911 Operator, 911 Telecommunicator, Alarm Operator, Ambulance Dispatcher, Call Person, Call Taker, Communications Dispatcher

## Related careers

- [Dispatchers, Except Police, Fire, and Ambulance](https://www.collegesref.com/careers/dispatchers-except-police-fire-and-ambulance): $50,340 median pay
- [Emergency Medical Technicians](https://www.collegesref.com/careers/emergency-medical-technicians): $44,470 median pay
- [Switchboard Operators, Including Answering Service](https://www.collegesref.com/careers/switchboard-operators-including-answering-service): $38,630 median pay
- [Paramedics](https://www.collegesref.com/careers/paramedics): $60,600 median pay
- [First-Line Supervisors of Security Workers](https://www.collegesref.com/careers/first-line-supervisors-of-security-workers): $55,940 median pay
- [Police and Sheriff's Patrol Officers](https://www.collegesref.com/careers/police-and-sheriffs-patrol-officers): $76,210 median pay

## Sources

- [O*NET Database](https://www.onetcenter.org/database.html), version 31.0 (CC BY 4.0)
- [BLS Employment Projections](https://www.bls.gov/emp/tables.htm), version 2025-35, data year 2025 (Public domain (U.S. government work))
- [BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics](https://www.bls.gov/oes/tables.htm), version 2025, data year 2025 (Public domain (U.S. government work))
- [NCES CIP 2020 to SOC 2018 crosswalk](https://nces.ed.gov/ipeds/cipcode/resources.aspx?y=56), version 2020, data year 2020 (Public domain (U.S. government work))

O*NET 31.0 Database by the U.S. Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration (USDOL/ETA). Used under the CC BY 4.0 license. CollegesRef has modified all or some of this information.