What Does it Take to Be a Dispatcher?
Position 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.
What Do Dispatchers Do On a Daily Basis?
- 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.
- Receive or prepare work orders.
- Oversee all communications within specifically assigned territories.
- Monitor personnel or equipment locations and utilization to coordinate service and schedules.
- Ensure timely and efficient movement of trains, according to train orders and schedules.
Featured schools near , edit
Dispatcher Needed Skills
When polled, Dispatchers say the following skills are most frequently used in their jobs:
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
- Relay Dispatcher
- Gas Load Dispatcher
- Oil Well Services Dispatcher
- Repair Service Dispatcher
- Work Order Sorting Clerk
Is There Going to be 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. There will be an estimated 18,000 positions for Dispatcher per 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
Dispatchers make between $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 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
Becoming a Dispatcher
What education or degrees do I need to become a Dispatcher?
How many years of work experience do I need?
Where Dispatchers Work
Below are examples of industries where Dispatchers work:
You May Also Be Interested In…
Those who work as a Dispatcher sometimes switch careers to one of these choices:
References:
Image Credit: Jace Armstrong via public domain
More about our data sources and methodologies.
Featured Schools
Request Info
|
Southern New Hampshire University You have goals. Southern New Hampshire University can help you get there. Whether you need a bachelor's degree to get into a career or want a master's degree to move up in your current career, SNHU has an online program for you. Find your degree from over 200 online programs. Learn More > |
Course Advisor provides higher-education, college and university, degree, program, career, salary, and other helpful information to students, faculty, institutions, and other internet audiences. Presented information and data are subject to change. Inclusion on this website does not imply or represent a direct relationship with the company, school, or brand. Information, though believed correct at time of publication, may not be correct, and no warranty is provided. Contact the schools to verify any information before relying on it. Financial aid may be available for those who qualify. The displayed options may include sponsored or recommended results, not necessarily based on your preferences.
© Course Advisor – All Rights Reserved.