SOC 435031

Public Safety Telecommunicators

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.

National Median

$50,730

per year

National Salary Overview

Median Annual

$50,730

Entry Level (10th pct)

$35,640

Experienced (90th pct)

$78,110

Total Employed

101,140

Salary Distribution

Salary percentiles show the range from entry-level (10th) to top earners (90th)

Salary by Experience Level

Experience Level	Estimated Salary Range
Entry Level0-2 years experience	$35,640 - $42,140
Mid Career2-8 years experience	$42,140 - $62,840
Senior / Expert8+ years experience	$62,840 - $78,110

Highest Paying Locations for Public Safety Telecommunicators

San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA

$125,310

+147.0% vs national

San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont, CA

$103,110

+103.3% vs national

San Luis Obispo-Paso Robles, CA

$87,870

+73.2% vs national

Vallejo, CA

$87,220

+71.9% vs national

Napa, CA

$84,260

+66.1% vs national

Public Safety Telecommunicators Salary by Location

Compare salaries across 50 metropolitan areas

Metropolitan Area	Median Salary	Employed
San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA	$125,310	420
San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont, CA	$103,110	1,130
San Luis Obispo-Paso Robles, CA	$87,870	70
Vallejo, CA	$87,220	170
Napa, CA	$84,260	60
Santa Rosa-Petaluma, CA	$83,110	160
Anchorage, AK	$81,440	130
Oxnard-Thousand Oaks-Ventura, CA	$81,420	160
Olympia-Lacey-Tumwater, WA	$80,930	100
Santa Maria-Santa Barbara, CA	$80,810	100
Santa Cruz-Watsonville, CA	$79,720	110
Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA	$79,040	1,350
Sacramento-Roseville-Folsom, CA	$78,610	670
San Diego-Chula Vista-Carlsbad, CA	$78,590	690
Portland-Vancouver-Hillsboro, OR-WA	$78,290	460
California	$78,210	8,510
Stockton-Lodi, CA	$78,060	160
Medford, OR	$77,990	80
Racine-Mount Pleasant, WI	$77,930	60
Los Angeles-Long Beach-Anaheim, CA	$77,800	2,160
Washington	$77,310	2,580
Eugene-Springfield, OR	$77,130	80
Riverside-San Bernardino-Ontario, CA	$76,350	850
Kennewick-Richland, WA	$75,480	60
Fairbanks-College, AK	$73,780	50
Fort Collins-Loveland, CO	$73,000	70
Spokane-Spokane Valley, WA	$73,000	380
Minneapolis-St. Paul-Bloomington, MN-WI	$72,360	640
Salem, OR	$71,870	150
Oregon	$70,690	980
Bellingham, WA	$69,690	70
Kankakee, IL	$68,370	40
Boulder, CO	$68,200	80
Redding, CA	$67,090	100
Denver-Aurora-Centennial, CO	$66,990	680
Modesto, CA	$66,450	120
Western Washington nonmetropolitan area	$65,790	100
Albany, OR	$65,770	30
Bridgeport-Stamford-Danbury, CT	$65,710	330
Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN	$65,030	2,130
Minnesota	$64,920	1,180
Springfield, IL	$64,790	130
Coast Oregon nonmetropolitan area	$64,650	90
Coeur d'Alene, ID	$64,500	40
Yuba City, CA	$64,490	40
Ithaca, NY	$64,330	30
Rochester, MN	$64,210	80
Fresno, CA	$64,070	290
Northwest Colorado nonmetropolitan area	$64,060	80
Bend, OR	$63,890	50

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the average salary for a Public Safety Telecommunicators?

The national median annual salary for Public Safety Telecommunicators is $50,730, according to Bureau of Labor Statistics data. This means half of workers in this occupation earn more, and half earn less.

Where do Public Safety Telecommunicatorss earn the most?

The highest-paying metro area for Public Safety Telecommunicatorss is San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA, with a median salary of $125,310.

How much can an experienced Public Safety Telecommunicators make?

Top-earning Public Safety Telecommunicatorss (90th percentile) make $78,110 or more annually. This typically reflects workers with significant experience, specialized skills, or positions in high-paying regions.