How much does a public safety telecommunicator make?
The median public safety telecommunicator in the United States earns $53,040 per year, about $25.50 an hour. That is the midpoint of the profession: half of all public safety telecommunicators earn more, and half earn less.
Source: BLS OEWS, May 2025. SOC code 43-5031.
Public safety telecommunicator salary range
Pay for public safety telecommunicators spans a wide band. The lowest paid 10 percent earn under $37,320 a year, while the highest paid 10 percent take home more than $79,830. The average (mean) wage of $56,740 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 | $37,320 | $17.94 | Lowest paid |
| 25th percentile | $45,210 | $21.74 | |
| Median (50th) | $53,040 | $25.50 | Midpoint |
| 75th percentile | $64,260 | $30.90 | |
| 90th percentile | $79,830 | $38.38 | Highest paid |
Figures are national wage estimates for public safety telecommunicators (SOC 43-5031), U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, OEWS, May 2025.
Public safety telecommunicator salary by state
Where you work changes the paycheck. Public safety telecommunicators earn the most in California at $80,120 a year, and the least in Mississippi at $34,510. The table below lists every state with published data, ranked by median annual salary.
| State | Median annual | Employed |
|---|---|---|
| California | $80,120 | 8,520 |
| Washington | $78,850 | 1,980 |
| Oregon | $71,980 | 1,110 |
| Alaska | $66,660 | 390 |
| Minnesota | $66,550 | 1,460 |
| Colorado | $63,520 | 1,800 |
| Connecticut | $62,410 | 1,820 |
| Massachusetts | $61,720 | 2,790 |
| New York | $61,450 | 5,470 |
| Illinois | $61,260 | 4,350 |
| Nevada | $60,040 | 1,010 |
| Wisconsin | $60,000 | 1,820 |
| North Dakota | $59,940 | 270 |
| Vermont | $59,470 | 280 |
| New Jersey | $59,240 | 4,010 |
| District of Columbia | $59,080 | 60 |
| Maryland | $58,910 | 1,610 |
| Rhode Island | $58,310 | 370 |
| New Hampshire | $58,240 | 560 |
| Ohio | $58,100 | 4,550 |
| Maine | $57,250 | 730 |
| Hawaii | $57,020 | 170 |
| Iowa | $56,770 | 980 |
| Arizona | $56,600 | 1,790 |
| Utah | $54,120 | 880 |
| Michigan | $53,310 | 2,100 |
| Delaware | $53,140 | 260 |
| Idaho | $51,780 | 580 |
| Wyoming | $50,600 | 350 |
| Virginia | $50,490 | 3,050 |
| Nebraska | $50,270 | 750 |
| Florida | $50,170 | 6,090 |
| Texas | $50,040 | 7,730 |
| Pennsylvania | $49,890 | 3,620 |
| New Mexico | $49,060 | 640 |
| Indiana | $49,050 | 2,150 |
| South Dakota | $47,900 | 420 |
| Montana | $47,640 | 560 |
| Missouri | $46,990 | 2,750 |
| North Carolina | $46,550 | 3,730 |
| Tennessee | $46,390 | 1,840 |
| Kentucky | $45,670 | 1,350 |
| Kansas | $45,110 | 1,370 |
| South Carolina | $43,540 | 1,490 |
| Georgia | $42,790 | 3,480 |
| West Virginia | $40,490 | 880 |
| Oklahoma | $39,890 | 1,930 |
| Alabama | $38,960 | 2,230 |
| Louisiana | $38,550 | 1,470 |
| Arkansas | $38,240 | 1,460 |
| Mississippi | $34,510 | 1,430 |
State median wages for public safety telecommunicators (SOC 43-5031), 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 public safety telecommunicators
The BLS projects employment of public safety telecommunicators to grow 3.7% from 2025 to 2035. That is about as fast as the 3.5% average for all occupations. That works out to roughly 105,600 jobs in 2025 moving toward 109,500 by 2035.
Across the decade, the BLS expects about 9,000 openings a year for public safety telecommunicators. 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 public safety telecommunicator
The typical entry-level education for public safety telecommunicators 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 public safety telecommunicator 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 (California, $80,120) and the lowest (Mississippi, $34,510) shows how much geography alone can move the number, before experience or specialization.
About 102,500 people work as public safety telecommunicators in the United States. At $53,040 a year, the job pays above the $50,980 median for all U.S. jobs.
Public safety telecommunicator salary FAQ
How much does a public safety telecommunicator make an hour?
The median hourly wage for a public safety telecommunicator is $25.50. The middle half of public safety telecommunicators earn between $21.74 and $30.90 per hour.
What is the highest public safety telecommunicator salary?
The highest paid 10 percent of public safety telecommunicators earn more than $79,830 per year. Top earners usually have the most experience and work in the best paying regions and industries.
How much does a public safety telecommunicator make a year?
The median annual salary for a public safety telecommunicator is $53,040. The average (mean) wage of $56,740 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 public safety telecommunicator a well paid job?
At $53,040 a year, a public safety telecommunicator earns above the $50,980 median for all U.S. jobs. About 102,500 people work as public safety telecommunicators in the United States.
Which state pays public safety telecommunicators the most?
California has the highest median salary for public safety telecommunicators at $80,120 a year. Washington ($78,850) and Oregon ($71,980) follow. State medians come from the BLS OEWS state files, May 2025.
Is being a public safety telecommunicator a good career?
Employment of public safety telecommunicators is projected to grow 3.7% from 2025 to 2035, about as fast as the 3.5% average for all occupations. The BLS projects about 9,000 openings each year, from growth and from workers leaving the occupation.
Do you need a degree to become a public safety telecommunicator?
No. The BLS lists the typical entry-level education for public safety telecommunicators as a high school diploma or equivalent, so a four-year degree is usually not required to start.
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