Dispatcher

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Work Tasks

• Send and receive messages for emergency, utility, and transportation workers
• Take emergency calls, give medical advice, and send help
• May keep logs and records of the calls they receive
• Work with truck, bus, taxi, plane, and train schedules
• Work in offices for ambulance, fire, and police departments; trucking, railroad, bus, taxi, and utility companies, and stores
• Work with two-way radios, telephones, computers, typewriters, records, logs, reports, and timetables and schedules

Salary, Size & Growth

• $37,000 average per year ($17.75 per hour)
• A large occupation (278,300 workers in 2010)
• Expected to grow slowly (0.4% per year)

Education/Training

• Minimum for Entry: A high school diploma and on-the-job training
• Employers Prefer: Work experience as a dispatcher
• Skills/Courses: On-the-job training or courses may include stress and crisis management, and family counseling.
• Certification/Licensing: Certification is available. First aid training may be required.