What Do Dispatcher Do?
Dispatcher Job Description 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.
Life As a Dispatcher: What Do They Do?
- Arrange for necessary repairs to restore service and schedules.
- Record and maintain files or records of customer requests, work or services performed, charges, expenses, inventory, or other dispatch information.
- Receive or prepare work orders.
- Monitor personnel or equipment locations and utilization to coordinate service and schedules.
- Schedule or dispatch workers, work crews, equipment, or service vehicles to appropriate locations, according to customer requests, specifications, or needs, using radios or telephones.
- Relay work orders, messages, or information to or from work crews, supervisors, or field inspectors, using telephones or two-way radios.
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Things a Dispatcher Should Know How to Do
These are the skills Dispatchers say are the most useful in their careers:
Active Listening: Giving full attention to what other people are saying, taking time to understand the points being made, asking questions as appropriate, and not interrupting at inappropriate times.
Speaking: Talking to others to convey information effectively.
Coordination: Adjusting actions in relation to others’ actions.
Monitoring: Monitoring/Assessing performance of yourself, other individuals, or organizations to make improvements or take corrective action.
Reading Comprehension: Understanding written sentences and paragraphs in work related documents.
Time Management: Managing one’s own time and the time of others.
Types of Dispatcher Jobs
- Traffic or System Dispatcher
- Rail Operations Controller
- Drop Board Worker
- Motor Coach Supervisor
- Water Service Dispatcher
Job Outlook for Dispatchers
In the United States, there were 201,700 jobs for Dispatcher in 2016. There is little to no growth in job opportunities for Dispatcher. Due to new job openings and attrition, there will be an average of 18,000 job openings in this field each year.
The states with the most job growth for Dispatcher are Utah, North Dakota, and Colorado. Watch out if you plan on working in District of Columbia, Maine, or Connecticut. These states have the worst job growth for this type of profession.
Average Dispatchers Salary
The salary for Dispatchers ranges between about $24,560 and $65,660 a year.
Dispatchers who work in Nebraska, North Dakota, or Alaska, make the highest salaries.
How much do Dispatchers make in each U.S. state?
| State | Annual Mean Salary |
|---|---|
| Alabama | $38,980 |
| Alaska | $52,950 |
| Arizona | $38,970 |
| Arkansas | $36,490 |
| California | $45,370 |
| Colorado | $43,980 |
| Connecticut | $47,820 |
| Delaware | $45,760 |
| District of Columbia | $50,380 |
| Florida | $35,930 |
| Georgia | $39,250 |
| Hawaii | $43,080 |
| Idaho | $37,220 |
| Illinois | $46,270 |
| Indiana | $43,920 |
| Iowa | $44,660 |
| Kansas | $41,240 |
| Kentucky | $38,470 |
| Louisiana | $38,780 |
| Maine | $40,860 |
| Maryland | $41,790 |
| Massachusetts | $46,020 |
| Michigan | $40,870 |
| Minnesota | $45,520 |
| Mississippi | $40,370 |
| Missouri | $44,150 |
| Montana | $39,170 |
| Nebraska | $58,030 |
| Nevada | $39,200 |
| New Hampshire | $43,720 |
| New Jersey | $43,720 |
| New Mexico | $43,720 |
| New York | $48,570 |
| North Carolina | $39,920 |
| North Dakota | $57,140 |
| Ohio | $42,150 |
| Oklahoma | $39,320 |
| Oregon | $44,510 |
| Pennsylvania | $41,630 |
| Rhode Island | $44,120 |
| South Carolina | $43,010 |
| South Dakota | $34,190 |
| Tennessee | $38,690 |
| Texas | $41,440 |
| Utah | $44,320 |
| Vermont | $42,820 |
| Virginia | $41,140 |
| Washington | $50,760 |
| West Virginia | $41,050 |
| Wisconsin | $43,130 |
| Wyoming | $43,320 |
What Tools & Technology do Dispatchers Use?
Although they’re not necessarily needed for all jobs, the following technologies are used by many Dispatchers:
- Microsoft Excel
- Microsoft Word
- Microsoft Office
- Microsoft PowerPoint
- Microsoft Outlook
- Web browser software
- Microsoft Access
- Email software
- Word processing software
- SAP
- Microsoft Windows
- Database software
- Microsoft Dynamics
- Computer aided design CAD software
- Scheduling software
- Global positioning system GPS software
- Geomechanical design analysis GDA software
- Kronos Workforce Timekeeper
- Computer aided dispatch software
- ESRI ArcIMS
How to Become a Dispatcher
Are there Dispatchers education requirements?
What work experience do I need to become a Dispatcher?
Where Dispatchers Work
Dispatchers work in the following industries:
Other Jobs You May be Interested In
Are you already one of the many Dispatcher in the United States? If you’re thinking about changing careers, these fields are worth exploring:
References:
Image Credit: Jace Armstrong via public domain
More about our data sources and methodologies.
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