What Does it Take to Be a Dispatcher?
Example of Dispatcher Job Schedule and dispatch workers, work crews, equipment, or service vehicles for conveyance of materials, freight, or passengers, or for normal installation, service, or emergency repairs rendered outside the place of business. Duties may include using radio, telephone, or computer to transmit assignments and compiling statistics and reports on work progress.
Daily Life Of a Dispatcher
- Confer with customers or supervising personnel to address questions, problems, or requests for service or equipment.
- Prepare daily work and run schedules.
- Record and maintain files or records of customer requests, work or services performed, charges, expenses, inventory, or other dispatch information.
- Schedule or dispatch workers, work crews, equipment, or service vehicles to appropriate locations, according to customer requests, specifications, or needs, using radios or telephones.
- Relay work orders, messages, or information to or from work crews, supervisors, or field inspectors, using telephones or two-way radios.
- Advise personnel about traffic problems, such as construction areas, accidents, congestion, weather conditions, or other hazards.
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Dispatcher Required Skills
Dispatchers state the following job skills are important in their day-to-day work.
Active Listening: Giving full attention to what other people are saying, taking time to understand the points being made, asking questions as appropriate, and not interrupting at inappropriate times.
Speaking: Talking to others to convey information effectively.
Coordination: Adjusting actions in relation to others’ actions.
Monitoring: Monitoring/Assessing performance of yourself, other individuals, or organizations to make improvements or take corrective action.
Reading Comprehension: Understanding written sentences and paragraphs in work related documents.
Time Management: Managing one’s own time and the time of others.
Types of Dispatcher Jobs
- Dispatch Supervisor
- Car Dispatcher
- Crew Dispatcher
- Motor Vehicle Dispatcher
- Assistant Chief Train Dispatcher
Dispatcher Employment Estimates
In 2016, there was an estimated number of 201,700 jobs in the United States for Dispatcher. There is little to no growth in job opportunities for Dispatcher. Due to new job openings and attrition, there will be an average of 18,000 job openings in this field each year.
The states with the most job growth for Dispatcher are Utah, North Dakota, and Colorado. Watch out if you plan on working in District of Columbia, Maine, or Connecticut. These states have the worst job growth for this type of profession.
Dispatcher Average Salary
The average yearly salary of a Dispatcher ranges between $24,560 and $65,660.
Dispatchers who work in Nebraska, North Dakota, or Alaska, make the highest salaries.
How much do Dispatchers make in each U.S. state?
| State | Annual Mean Salary |
|---|---|
| Alabama | $38,980 |
| Alaska | $52,950 |
| Arizona | $38,970 |
| Arkansas | $36,490 |
| California | $45,370 |
| Colorado | $43,980 |
| Connecticut | $47,820 |
| Delaware | $45,760 |
| District of Columbia | $50,380 |
| Florida | $35,930 |
| Georgia | $39,250 |
| Hawaii | $43,080 |
| Idaho | $37,220 |
| Illinois | $46,270 |
| Indiana | $43,920 |
| Iowa | $44,660 |
| Kansas | $41,240 |
| Kentucky | $38,470 |
| Louisiana | $38,780 |
| Maine | $40,860 |
| Maryland | $41,790 |
| Massachusetts | $46,020 |
| Michigan | $40,870 |
| Minnesota | $45,520 |
| Mississippi | $40,370 |
| Missouri | $44,150 |
| Montana | $39,170 |
| Nebraska | $58,030 |
| Nevada | $39,200 |
| New Hampshire | $43,720 |
| New Jersey | $43,720 |
| New Mexico | $43,720 |
| New York | $48,570 |
| North Carolina | $39,920 |
| North Dakota | $57,140 |
| Ohio | $42,150 |
| Oklahoma | $39,320 |
| Oregon | $44,510 |
| Pennsylvania | $41,630 |
| Rhode Island | $44,120 |
| South Carolina | $43,010 |
| South Dakota | $34,190 |
| Tennessee | $38,690 |
| Texas | $41,440 |
| Utah | $44,320 |
| Vermont | $42,820 |
| Virginia | $41,140 |
| Washington | $50,760 |
| West Virginia | $41,050 |
| Wisconsin | $43,130 |
| Wyoming | $43,320 |
What Tools & Technology do Dispatchers Use?
Although they’re not necessarily needed for all jobs, the following technologies are used by many Dispatchers:
- Microsoft Excel
- Microsoft Word
- Microsoft Office
- Microsoft PowerPoint
- Microsoft Outlook
- Web browser software
- Microsoft Access
- Email software
- Word processing software
- SAP
- Microsoft Windows
- Database software
- Microsoft Dynamics
- Computer aided design CAD software
- Scheduling software
- Global positioning system GPS software
- Geomechanical design analysis GDA software
- Kronos Workforce Timekeeper
- Computer aided dispatch software
- ESRI ArcIMS
Becoming a Dispatcher
Learn what Dispatcher education requirements there are.
How many years of work experience do I need?
Who Employs Dispatchers?
Dispatchers work in the following industries:
Related Careers
Those who work as a Dispatcher sometimes switch careers to one of these choices:
References:
Image Credit: Jace Armstrong via public domain
More about our data sources and methodologies.
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