Public Safety Telecommunicators in Puerto Rico
Thinking about a career as a Public Safety Telecommunicators in Puerto Rico? Here’s what the data says. 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.
What do Public Safety Telecommunicators Make in Puerto Rico?
For a public safety telecommunicators working in Puerto Rico, the median annual wage is $26,460 per year (or roughly $12.72/hour).Annual wages span from $19,760 at the 10th percentile to $34,570 at the 90th percentile.
| Wage Statistic | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile | $19,760 | $9.50 |
| 25th percentile | $19,760 | $9.50 |
| Median (50th) | $26,460 | $12.72 |
| 75th percentile | $29,400 | $14.13 |
| 90th percentile | $34,570 | $16.62 |
The location quotient — a measure of how concentrated this occupation is in Puerto Rico nationwide is 0.21, suggesting fewer public safety telecommunicators per worker than the national average.
National Wage Comparison
Nationally, public safety telecommunicators earn a median of $58,404 per year ($28.08/hour), below the Puerto Rico median.
Employment Outlook
There are roughly 1,648,888 public safety telecommunicators across the United States. In Puerto Rico alone, approximately 130 people work in this role. That’s below the typical state, which employs around 1,460 public safety telecommunicators.
Top Puerto Rico Metros for Public Safety Telecommunicators
The metro areas below employ the most public safety telecommunicators in Puerto Rico.
| Metro Area | Number Employed | Annual Median Salary |
|---|---|---|
| San Juan-Bayamon-Caguas, PR | 100 | $29,400 |
Top States for Public Safety Telecommunicators Employment
View the states that employ the most public safety telecommunicators work.
| State | Number Employed |
|---|---|
| California | 8,510 |
| Texas | 7,660 |
| Florida | 6,290 |
| New York | 5,620 |
| Ohio | 4,490 |
| New Jersey | 3,940 |
| Illinois | 3,730 |
| North Carolina | 3,640 |
| Pennsylvania | 3,490 |
| Georgia | 3,370 |
| Virginia | 2,930 |
| Massachusetts | 2,920 |
| Washington | 2,580 |
| Missouri | 2,440 |
| Michigan | 2,350 |
| Alabama | 2,330 |
| Oklahoma | 1,990 |
| Indiana | 1,940 |
| Tennessee | 1,780 |
| Louisiana | 1,730 |
Highest-Paying States for Public Safety Telecommunicators
Where public safety telecommunicators earn the most: public safety telecommunicators.
| State | Annual Median Salary |
|---|---|
| California | $78,210 |
| Washington | $77,310 |
| Oregon | $70,690 |
| Minnesota | $64,920 |
| Alaska | $63,390 |
| Connecticut | $63,210 |
| Colorado | $62,460 |
| Illinois | $59,860 |
| New York | $59,440 |
| Massachusetts | $59,310 |
Skills
The most important public safety telecommunicators skills, rated on an importance scale of 0 to 5:
Knowledge Areas
Core knowledge areas for this occupation, rated on an importance scale of 0 to 5:
Abilities
Top abilities for public safety telecommunicators, rated on an importance scale of 0 to 5:
Daily Tasks
Day-to-day, public safety telecommunicators typically:
- Provide emergency medical instructions to callers.
- Question callers to determine their locations and the nature of their problems to determine type of response needed.
- Determine response requirements and relative priorities of situations, and dispatch units in accordance with established procedures.
- 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.
- Relay information and messages to and from emergency sites, to law enforcement agencies, and to all other individuals or groups requiring notification.
- Record details of calls, dispatches, and messages.
- Monitor various radio frequencies, such as those used by public works departments, school security, and civil defense, to stay apprised of developing situations.
- Read and effectively interpret small-scale maps and information from a computer screen to determine locations and provide directions.
- Maintain access to, and security of, highly sensitive materials.
- 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.
- Scan status charts and computer screens, and contact emergency response field units to determine emergency units available for dispatch.
- Answer routine inquiries, and refer calls not requiring dispatches to appropriate departments and agencies.
Work Activities
- Working with Computers
- Communicating with People Outside the Organization
- Documenting/Recording Information
- Getting Information
- Processing Information
- Making Decisions and Solving Problems
- Communicating with Supervisors, Peers, or Subordinates
- Performing for or Working Directly with the Public
- Updating and Using Relevant Knowledge
- Assisting and Caring for Others
- Interpreting the Meaning of Information for Others
- Identifying Objects, Actions, and Events
Tools & Technology
Technologies frequently used: Hot technologies: Microsoft Access In-demand technologies: Microsoft Office software
Related Careers
Other careers like public safety telecommunicators include:
- Security Managers
- Emergency Management Directors
- Security Management Specialists
- Emergency Medical Technicians
- Paramedics
- First-Line Supervisors of Police and Detectives
Also Known As
911 Dispatcher, 911 Emergency Dispatcher, 911 Emergency Services Dispatcher, 911 Operator, 911 Telecommunicator, Alarm Operator, Ambulance Dispatcher, Call Person, Call Taker, Communications Dispatcher, Communications Officer, Communications Operator, Communications Specialist, Dispatch Officer, Dispatch Operator.
References
- U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics — https://www.bls.gov/oes/
- O*NET Online — https://www.onetonline.org/
- BLS Employment Projections — https://www.bls.gov/emp/
- O*NET-SOC code: 43-5031.00
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.