How much does a dispatcher make?
The median dispatcher in the United States earns $50,340 per year, about $24.20 an hour. That is the midpoint of the profession: half of all dispatchers earn more, and half earn less.
Source: BLS OEWS, May 2025. SOC code 43-5032.
Dispatcher salary range
Pay for dispatchers spans a wide band. The lowest paid 10 percent earn under $36,030 a year, while the highest paid 10 percent take home more than $78,140. The average (mean) wage of $54,740 runs a bit higher than the median, which is normal for jobs where a group of top earners pulls the average up.
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile | $36,030 | $17.32 | Lowest paid |
| 25th percentile | $42,750 | $20.56 | |
| Median (50th) | $50,340 | $24.20 | Midpoint |
| 75th percentile | $62,450 | $30.02 | |
| 90th percentile | $78,140 | $37.57 | Highest paid |
Figures are national wage estimates for dispatchers, except police, fire, and ambulance (SOC 43-5032), U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, OEWS, May 2025.
Dispatcher salary by state
Where you work changes the paycheck. Dispatchers earn the most in District of Columbia at $72,260 a year, and the least in South Dakota at $43,920. The table below lists every state with published data, ranked by median annual salary.
| State | Median annual | Employed |
|---|---|---|
| District of Columbia | $72,260 | 300 |
| Washington | $59,330 | 4,920 |
| Minnesota | $59,220 | 2,760 |
| North Dakota | $57,580 | 600 |
| Illinois | $57,240 | N/A |
| Delaware | $57,170 | 670 |
| Alaska | $56,730 | 570 |
| Vermont | $56,360 | 260 |
| New York | $55,810 | 11,160 |
| Massachusetts | $55,690 | 3,510 |
| Maine | $55,150 | 670 |
| Oregon | $54,980 | 3,290 |
| New Jersey | $54,590 | 6,420 |
| Colorado | $54,070 | 3,470 |
| Nebraska | $53,880 | 1,500 |
| New Hampshire | $52,770 | 710 |
| Hawaii | $52,570 | 950 |
| California | $52,350 | 23,970 |
| Wisconsin | $52,350 | 3,240 |
| Missouri | $51,410 | 4,340 |
| Maryland | $51,350 | 3,310 |
| Utah | $51,010 | 2,040 |
| Virginia | $50,710 | 5,830 |
| Ohio | $50,320 | 5,720 |
| Indiana | $50,060 | 4,090 |
| Kentucky | $49,990 | 2,440 |
| Pennsylvania | $49,960 | 6,670 |
| Idaho | $49,660 | 1,430 |
| Tennessee | $49,660 | 4,190 |
| Michigan | $49,490 | 5,390 |
| Rhode Island | $49,320 | 530 |
| Georgia | $49,180 | 6,190 |
| Alabama | $48,790 | 1,780 |
| Wyoming | $48,690 | 240 |
| North Carolina | $48,230 | 5,740 |
| Connecticut | $47,960 | 2,220 |
| Nevada | $47,920 | 2,840 |
| Arizona | $47,880 | 5,690 |
| South Carolina | $47,550 | 2,440 |
| Texas | $47,320 | 23,920 |
| Kansas | $47,170 | 1,670 |
| Montana | $47,140 | 810 |
| Arkansas | $47,130 | 1,780 |
| Louisiana | $47,050 | 2,980 |
| Iowa | $47,000 | 1,460 |
| West Virginia | $46,620 | 880 |
| Florida | $45,880 | 12,550 |
| Mississippi | $45,660 | 2,000 |
| Oklahoma | $44,950 | 2,180 |
| New Mexico | $43,960 | 1,350 |
| South Dakota | $43,920 | 860 |
State median wages for dispatchers, except police, fire, and ambulance (SOC 43-5032), U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, OEWS state files, May 2025. States where the BLS does not publish a median are not shown.
Job outlook for dispatchers
The BLS projects employment of dispatchers to shrink from 2025 to 2035 (down 0.7%). That is a decline, against 3.5% average growth for all occupations. That works out to roughly 203,500 jobs in 2025 moving toward 202,100 by 2035.
Across the decade, the BLS expects about 16,000 openings a year for dispatchers. Most come from the need to replace workers who move to other jobs or leave the workforce, on top of any new positions from growth.
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Employment Projections program, 2025-35 (Table 1.2, Occupational projections and worker characteristics).
How to become a dispatcher
The typical entry-level education for dispatchers is a high school diploma or equivalent, according to the BLS. New hires typically complete moderate-term on-the-job training to reach full competency.
A four-year college degree is usually not required to start, which makes this one of the jobs you can enter without a bachelor's degree. See more high paying jobs without a degree .
Education, training, and experience data: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Employment Projections program.
What affects how much a dispatcher earns
Employer, industry, seniority, and metro area drive pay. Large organizations and high cost cities pay above small offices and entry-level roles.
Location is one of the clearest factors. The gap between the top paying state (District of Columbia, $72,260) and the lowest (South Dakota, $43,920) shows how much geography alone can move the number, before experience or specialization.
About 202,810 people work as dispatchers in the United States. At $50,340 a year, the job pays below the $50,980 median for all U.S. jobs.
Dispatcher salary FAQ
How much does a dispatcher make an hour?
The median hourly wage for a dispatcher is $24.20. The middle half of dispatchers earn between $20.56 and $30.02 per hour.
What is the highest dispatcher salary?
The highest paid 10 percent of dispatchers earn more than $78,140 per year. Top earners usually have the most experience and work in the best paying regions and industries.
How much does a dispatcher make a year?
The median annual salary for a dispatcher is $50,340. The average (mean) wage of $54,740 runs a bit higher than the median, which is normal for jobs where a group of top earners pulls the average up.
Is being a dispatcher a well paid job?
At $50,340 a year, a dispatcher earns below the $50,980 median for all U.S. jobs. About 202,810 people work as dispatchers in the United States.
Which state pays dispatchers the most?
District of Columbia has the highest median salary for dispatchers at $72,260 a year. Washington ($59,330) and Minnesota ($59,220) follow. State medians come from the BLS OEWS state files, May 2025.
Is being a dispatcher a good career?
Employment of dispatchers is projected to shrink 0.7% from 2025 to 2035, a decline, against 3.5% average growth for all occupations. The BLS projects about 16,000 openings each year, from growth and from workers leaving the occupation.
Do you need a degree to become a dispatcher?
No. The BLS lists the typical entry-level education for dispatchers as a high school diploma or equivalent, so a four-year degree is usually not required to start.
Related salaries
See more in Office & Administrative salaries or browse the highest paying jobs in the U.S.