How much does a power distributor and dispatcher make?
The median power distributor and dispatcher in the United States earns $106,730 per year, about $51.31 an hour. That is the midpoint of the profession: half of all power distributors and dispatchers earn more, and half earn less.
Source: BLS OEWS, May 2025. SOC code 51-8012.
Power distributor and dispatcher salary range
Pay for power distributors and dispatchers spans a wide band. The lowest paid 10 percent earn under $72,440 a year, while the highest paid 10 percent take home more than $154,270. The average (mean) wage of $111,320 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 | $72,440 | $34.83 | Lowest paid |
| 25th percentile | $90,200 | $43.37 | |
| Median (50th) | $106,730 | $51.31 | Midpoint |
| 75th percentile | $130,940 | $62.95 | |
| 90th percentile | $154,270 | $74.17 | Highest paid |
Figures are national wage estimates for power distributors and dispatchers (SOC 51-8012), U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, OEWS, May 2025.
Power distributor and dispatcher salary by state
Where you work changes the paycheck. Power distributors and dispatchers earn the most in Washington at $144,710 a year, and the least in New Mexico at $79,580. The table below lists every state with published data, ranked by median annual salary.
| State | Median annual | Employed |
|---|---|---|
| Washington | $144,710 | 380 |
| New York | $139,390 | 150 |
| Nevada | $138,300 | 100 |
| California | $137,570 | 670 |
| Oregon | $137,490 | 340 |
| Idaho | $136,550 | 60 |
| South Dakota | $130,270 | 30 |
| Indiana | $129,080 | 90 |
| New Jersey | $128,220 | 330 |
| Maine | $121,520 | 100 |
| Massachusetts | $121,010 | 390 |
| Wyoming | $120,210 | 70 |
| Arkansas | $117,370 | 210 |
| Kansas | $116,810 | 90 |
| Michigan | $116,780 | 450 |
| Alabama | $114,570 | 190 |
| Maryland | $113,660 | 50 |
| Minnesota | $105,630 | 100 |
| Kentucky | $105,600 | 140 |
| Oklahoma | $105,530 | 50 |
| Missouri | $105,450 | 100 |
| Iowa | $102,980 | N/A |
| Texas | $102,890 | 970 |
| West Virginia | $101,960 | 50 |
| Illinois | $101,470 | 330 |
| Florida | $101,060 | 260 |
| Ohio | $100,320 | 360 |
| Mississippi | $98,960 | 90 |
| Pennsylvania | $98,930 | 560 |
| Nebraska | $98,570 | 240 |
| Arizona | $98,510 | 70 |
| South Carolina | $91,570 | 190 |
| North Carolina | $90,420 | 190 |
| Wisconsin | $83,140 | 40 |
| Virginia | $81,080 | 330 |
| Georgia | $80,560 | 90 |
| Tennessee | $79,910 | 100 |
| New Mexico | $79,580 | 40 |
State median wages for power distributors and dispatchers (SOC 51-8012), 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 power distributors and dispatchers
The BLS projects employment of power distributors and dispatchers to grow 1.2% from 2025 to 2035. That is slower than the 3.5% average for all occupations. That works out to roughly 8,600 jobs in 2025 moving toward 8,700 by 2035.
Across the decade, the BLS expects about 700 openings a year for power distributors and 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 power distributor and dispatcher
The typical entry-level education for power distributors and dispatchers is a high school diploma or equivalent, according to the BLS. New hires typically complete long-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 power distributor and dispatcher earns
Industry, shift, certifications, and region drive pay, along with overtime. Skilled operators and workers in unionized plants sit near the top of the range.
Location is one of the clearest factors. The gap between the top paying state (Washington, $144,710) and the lowest (New Mexico, $79,580) shows how much geography alone can move the number, before experience or specialization.
About 8,520 people work as power distributors and dispatchers in the United States. At $106,730 a year, the job pays above the $50,980 median for all U.S. jobs.
Power distributor and dispatcher salary FAQ
How much does a power distributor and dispatcher make an hour?
The median hourly wage for a power distributor and dispatcher is $51.31. The middle half of power distributors and dispatchers earn between $43.37 and $62.95 per hour.
What is the highest power distributor and dispatcher salary?
The highest paid 10 percent of power distributors and dispatchers earn more than $154,270 per year. Top earners usually have the most experience and work in the best paying regions and industries.
How much does a power distributor and dispatcher make a year?
The median annual salary for a power distributor and dispatcher is $106,730. The average (mean) wage of $111,320 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 power distributor and dispatcher a well paid job?
At $106,730 a year, a power distributor and dispatcher earns above the $50,980 median for all U.S. jobs. About 8,520 people work as power distributors and dispatchers in the United States.
Which state pays power distributors and dispatchers the most?
Washington has the highest median salary for power distributors and dispatchers at $144,710 a year. New York ($139,390) and Nevada ($138,300) follow. State medians come from the BLS OEWS state files, May 2025.
Is being a power distributor and dispatcher a good career?
Employment of power distributors and dispatchers is projected to grow 1.2% from 2025 to 2035, slower than the 3.5% average for all occupations. The BLS projects about 700 openings each year, from growth and from workers leaving the occupation.
Do you need a degree to become a power distributor and dispatcher?
No. The BLS lists the typical entry-level education for power distributors and dispatchers as a high school diploma or equivalent, so a four-year degree is usually not required to start.
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