How To Become a Dispatcher

Stan T.Career, RequirementsLeave a Comment

How Long Does It Take, What Degree Do You Need, and More

Dispatchers

Dispatchers 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.

Salary
$44860
Becoming One
Easy
Education
No degree required
Job Satisfaction
Low
Job Growth

Personality



What degree do you need

Recommended degree level

High School Diploma

We did a survey to ask other Dispatchers what degree they had when they became a Dispatcher. Here are the results.
High School Diploma
61.7%


Less than a High School Diploma
11.27%


Associate’s Degree
10.71%


One of the most common questions that we always get is what major or degree do I need to become Dispatchers or what courses do I need to take.

We also asked Dispatchers what did they major in college or university and here are the top 5 most popular majors that came up.

Traffic, Customs, and Transportation Clerk

Most dispatchers have a high school diploma.



How hard is it

Difficulty
Easy

You may need some previous work-related skill, knowledge or experience to be a Dispatcher. For example, a bank teller would benefit from experience working directly with the public.

Careers in this difficulty category need anywhere from a few months to one year of on-the-job training.


Related work experience required
None

None
27.69%


3 to 6 months
18.73%


1 to 2 years
13.7%


Job training
1 to 3 months

1 to 3 months
36.35%


Up to 1 month
36.25%


3 to 6 months
17.27%



License and certifications

Do you need any license or certification
Requirements vary by state

Many states require dispatchers to be certified. The Association of Public-Safety Communications Officials (APCO) has information on which states require training and certification. One commonly required certification is the Emergency Medical Dispatcher (EMD) certification, which enables dispatchers to give medical assistance over the phone.


Skills required

We asked other Dispatchers if they could only have 5 skills, what would they be. Here is what they said.

1. Active Listening what does this mean
2. Speaking what does this mean
3. Coordination what does this mean
4. Reading Comprehension what does this mean
5. Monitoring what does this mean

= Hot in-demand that most employers are looking for


Knowledge required

Just like any other job, you will need certain know-hows to excel at your job. Dispatchers are generally very knowledgeable in these 5 key areas.

1. Customer and Personal Service what does this mean
2. Transportation what does this mean
3. English Language what does this mean
4. Administration and Management what does this mean
5. Public Safety and Security what does this mean


Learn more about Dispatchers

Summary
Job Description
Salary
Requirements (You are here)
Quiz

Related to Dispatchers Requirements

Dispatchers requirements, how to become Dispatchers, degree required to be a Dispatcher, Dispatchers license and certifications, majors to be a Dispatcher, is it hard to become a Dispatcher and how long does it take


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