What is a Dispatcher?
Job Description & Duties 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
- Confer with customers or supervising personnel to address questions, problems, or requests for service or equipment.
- Oversee all communications within specifically assigned territories.
- Schedule or dispatch workers, work crews, equipment, or service vehicles to appropriate locations, according to customer requests, specifications, or needs, using radios or telephones.
- Determine types or amounts of equipment, vehicles, materials, or personnel required, according to work orders or specifications.
- Order supplies or equipment and issue them to personnel.
- Record and maintain files or records of customer requests, work or services performed, charges, expenses, inventory, or other dispatch information.
Qualities of a Dispatcher
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.
Other Dispatcher Job Titles
- Alarm Operator
- Motor Coach Supervisor
- Train Dispatcher
- Water Service Dispatcher
- Security Dispatcher
Job Demand for Dispatchers
There were about 201,700 jobs for Dispatcher in 2016 (in the United States). 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.
Dispatcher Average 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 different U.S. states?
| 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 do Dispatchers Use?
Below is a list of the types of tools and technologies that Dispatchers may use on a daily basis:
- 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 do I Become a Dispatcher?
What kind of Dispatcher requirements are there?
How many years of work experience do I need?
Where do Dispatchers Work?
The table below shows some of the most common industries where those employed in this career field work.
Related Careers
Career changers with experience as a Dispatcher sometimes find work in one of the following fields:
References:
Image Credit: Jace Armstrong via public domain
More about our data sources and methodologies.
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