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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.

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.

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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.

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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.

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How many years of work experience do I need?

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Who Employs Dispatchers?

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Dispatchers work in the following industries:

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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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