Salary, Job Description, How To Become One, and Quiz
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911 Operators
911 Operators 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.
Table of contents
What they do
911 Operators 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.
- Question callers to determine their locations, and the nature of their problems to determine the type of response needed.
- Determine response requirements and relative priorities of situations, and dispatch units in accordance with established procedures.
- Record details of calls, dispatches, and messages.
- Provide emergency medical instructions to callers.
Typical day
On a daily basis, 911 Operators record details of calls, dispatches, and messages. They question callers to determine their locations, and the nature of their problems to determine the type of response needed.
A typical day for a Police, Fire, and Ambulance Dispatcher will also include:
- Determine response requirements and relative priorities of situations, and dispatch units in accordance with established procedures.
- Scan status charts and computer screens, and contact emergency response field units to determine emergency units available for dispatch.
- Receive incoming telephone or alarm system calls regarding emergency and non-emergency police and fire service, emergency ambulance service, information, and after-hours calls for departments within a city.
- Answer routine inquiries, and refer calls not requiring dispatches to appropriate departments and agencies.
- Enter, update, and retrieve information from teletype networks and computerized data systems regarding such things as wanted persons, stolen property, vehicle registration, and stolen vehicles.
Other responsibilities
Besides their typical day, 911 Operators also test and adjust communication and alarm systems, and report malfunctions to maintenance units. They may also provide emergency medical instructions to callers.
On a weekly to monthly basis, 911 Operators learn material and pass required tests for certification. They might also monitor alarm systems to detect emergencies, such as fires and illegal entry into establishments.
In addition, they read and effectively interpret small-scale maps and information from a computer screen to determine locations and provide directions.
Although specific duties may vary, many of them maintain files of information relating to emergency calls, such as personnel rosters, emergency call-out, and pager files.
To some 911 Operators, it is also their responsibility to enter, update, and retrieve information from teletype networks and computerized data systems regarding such things as wanted persons, stolen property, vehicle registration, and stolen vehicles.
What is the job like
Job satisfaction
Is this job meaningful
74% said they were satisfied with their job and 85% said they found their job meaningful.
I was a 911 Dispatcher for 5 years in the Metro Nashville Police Department, Nashville TN. I can still say, without hesitation, that it was one of the best positions I’ve ever had, and I was very good at it. I could have retired as a career dispatcher, save for a few aspects impossible to ignore.
My typical day
The beauty and attraction of this position, in addition to being the help that people needed, is that there was no typical day. Every day was based on multiple elements, including weather, the season, what shift you were on, holidays, local/national events, what officers were working that day, etc.
The only constant to expect and anticipate is that you had no idea what would unfold throughout your shift. Most days were extremely busy, with a rare quiet before the storm day thrown in for fun.
Pros
- Being part of the police department, what some would call an elite organization
- Having contacts with power (real or perceived)
- Being a contact with power (real or perceived)
- Providing crucial assistance to someone desperately in need, who probably never thought they’d ever have to call 911
- Learning parts of your city (I had just moved to Nashville a few months prior, so training it was extra tough for me)
- Constantly sharpening skills (listening, hearing, communication, public interaction, professionalism, memory, balance, multi-tasking, etc)
- Developing new hobbies & skills in your off time to aid in de-stressing and relaxation (that can ultimately lead to a new career)
- Mandatory annual training, support from the department, decent benefits
- Now knowing what clearly constitutes a life and death situation lol
Cons
- Having to detach (turn off emotions, compassion, & ignore almost every other normal human reaction) to be successful at your job
- Sometimes having to make jokes / have nicknames for people in certain situations (still bothers me to this day that I was that person)
- Constant shift work while you earn seniority and rise through the ranks – midnights were difficult for me & negatively affected my life
- Consistent, quality childcare is tough to manage when your schedule is regularly changing
- Politics and expected ass-kissing that accompany government/public service jobs – ultimately led to me resigning, since I was never good at playing the game and knew I never would be
- The stress level is real… knowing you have seconds to simultaneously get the right information from a caller so you can get the right help to the right place and provide first responders with the right details and descriptions on your radio while they are enroute while also connecting by phone with superiors, supervisors, and auxiliary services can be daunting, especially first starting out
- Constantly answering and talking on the phone – I hate talking on the phone to this very day, and most times do not answer it and haven’t listened to a voicemail in a decade
Side bar
I would cook at home to de-stress, and take the food I cooked to work the following day. Officers would get word from my colleagues that we had food that day, and would swing by if they were in the area. They always had something to anticipate and kept telling me I was in the wrong field because I was exceptionally talented in the kitchen. I left the department and ended up in catering and special events, businesses I grew from nothing and operated for many years. I currently have invested in my other true love, fashion, and recently launched my very first online boutique EyeDentifeyed Premium Eye Attire, Sunglasses for the Bold, Edgy, & Confident.
I always hold a special place in my heart and memories as a 911 Dispatcher. I’m proud to have been one and carry tremendous respect for the work they do.
Pros
Suitable for people who like to follow routines.
Suitable for people who value relationships between co-workers and customers and want to work in a friendly non-competitive environment.
This career is perfect for people who love to work indoors.
It is easy to get into this career. Some previous work-related skill, knowledge, or experience is required for this career.
Cons
Not suitable for people who like to work with designs.
Salary is below average.
How much do they make
Average salary
Average hourly wage
Entry-level 911 Operators with little to no experience can expect to make anywhere between $28,040 to $34,630 per year or $13 to $17 per hour.
| Salary by experience | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Highest (Top 10%) | $67,150 | $32 |
| Senior (Top 25%) | $54,370 | $26 |
| Median | $43,290 | $21 |
| Junior (Bottom 25%) | $34,630 | $17 |
| No experience (Bottom 10%) | $28,040 | $13 |
This table shows the top 10 highest paying industries for 911 Operators based on their average annual salary.
| Salary by industry | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Psychiatric and Substance Abuse Hospitals | $63560 | $30.56 |
| Management of Companies and Enterprises | $54990 | $26.44 |
| Business Support Services | $51850 | $24.93 |
| State Government | $51830 | $24.92 |
| Employment Services | $50810 | $24.43 |
| Outpatient Care Centers | $48920 | $23.52 |
| Other Support Services | $48150 | $23.15 |
| Local Government | $45930 | $22.08 |
| Colleges, Universities, and Professional Schools | $43910 | $21.11 |
| Junior Colleges | $43070 | $20.71 |
View more salary by industries here.
Where can they work
Where can 911 Operators work? Here is a table showing the top 10 largest employers of 911 Operators including the average salary in that industry.
| Employers | Total Employed | Annual Salary | Hourly Wages |
|---|---|---|---|
| Local Government | 74300 | $45930 | $22.08 |
| Other Ambulatory Health Care Services | 5640 | $41120 | $19.77 |
| State Government | 5540 | $51830 | $24.92 |
| Colleges, Universities, and Professional Schools | 2340 | $43910 | $21.11 |
| General Medical and Surgical Hospitals | 2190 | $41530 | $19.97 |
| Junior Colleges | 450 | $43070 | $20.71 |
| Elementary and Secondary Schools | 250 | $39720 | $19.10 |
| Other Support Services | 220 | $48150 | $23.15 |
| Employment Services | 110 | $50810 | $24.43 |
| Scientific Research and Development Services | 70 | $ | $* |
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What is the work day like
Working hours
Working schedule
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Telephone
How often do you have telephone conversations in this job?
Group discussions
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Public speaking
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Level of competition
How much competitive pressure is in this job?
What is the work environment like
Office-style environment
Indoors in an environmentally controlled condition
Warehouse-style environment
Indoors in a non-controlled environmental condition such as a warehouse
Outdoors
Outdoors exposed to all weather conditions
Outdoors – Under Cover
Outdoors but under cover (e.g. structure with roof but no walls)
How to become one
Difficulty to become one
Required level of education
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Relevant majors
Relevant work experience
How much related work experience do you need to get hired for the job?
On The Job Training
How much on the job training do you need to perform the job?
Should you become one
Best personality type for this career
People with this personality type likes to follow set procedures and routines. They prefer working with data and details more than with ideas.
People with The Builder personality type likes practical and hands-on work. They prefer working with plants, animals, and real-world materials like wood, tools, and machinery.
People with The Thinker personality likes to work with ideas that require an extensive amount of thinking. They prefer work that requires them to solve problems mentally.
People with The Artist personality likes to work with designs and patterns. They prefer activities that require self-expression and prefer work that can be done without following a clear set of rules.
People with The Helper personality type likes to work with people and in teams. They prefer work that allows them to build relationships with others.
People with The Leader personality likes to start and work on projects. They also like leading people and making many decisions.
People with The Organizer personality type likes to follow set procedures and routines. They prefer working with data and details more than with ideas.
You can read more about these career personality types here.
People who are suitable for this job tend to like following set procedures and routines. They like working with data and details more than with ideas.
They also like work activities that include practical, hands-on problems and solutions. They like working with plants, animals, and real-world materials like wood, tools, and machinery.
Take this quiz to see if this is the right career for you.
Work Values
Which values are the most important to a person’s satisfaction for this job?
You are someone who is results oriented. You prefer work that allows you to utilize your skills and abilities while at the same time giving you a sense of accomplishment.
You are someone who values job security, steady employment, and good working conditions. You also prefer work that keeps you busy all the time with something different to do every day.
You are someone who values job advancement and leadership roles. You prefer work that receives recognition for the work you do and jobs that are looked up to by others in the company and your community.
You are someone who likes to provide a service to others. You prefer a work environment where you can work with your co-workers in a friendly non-competitive environment.
You are someone who values a company that stands behind their employees. You prefer a work environment where everyone is treated fairly and is being supported by the company.
You are someone who likes to work on your own and make your own decisions. You prefer work that requires little supervision and are allowed to try out your own ideas.
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