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Dispatchers, Except Police, Fire, and Ambulance in Iowa
Considering working as a Dispatchers, Except Police, Fire, and Ambulance in Iowa? Here’s what you need to know. 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.
What do Dispatchers, Except Police, Fire, and Ambulance Make in Iowa?
The dispatchers, except police, fire, and ambulance working in Iowa, the typical annual salary is $50,970 per year (or roughly $24.51/hour).Earnings range from $34,760 at the 10th percentile to $79,140 at the 90th percentile.
| Wage Statistic | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile | $34,760 | $16.71 |
| 25th percentile | $41,540 | $19.97 |
| Median (50th) | $50,970 | $24.51 |
| 75th percentile | $63,870 | $30.71 |
| 90th percentile | $79,140 | $38.05 |
The location quotient — a measure of how concentrated this occupation is in Iowa relative to the national average — is 0.72, meaning fewer dispatchers, except police, fire, and ambulance per worker than the national average.
National Wage Comparison
Nationally, dispatchers, except police, fire, and ambulance earn a median of $62,885 per year ($30.23/hour), below the Iowa median.
Employment Outlook
National employment for 762,663 dispatchers, except police, fire, and ambulance nationwide. In Iowa alone, about 1,540 people work in this role. That’s below the typical state, which employs around 2,670 dispatchers, except police, fire, and ambulance.
Top Iowa Metros for Dispatchers, Except Police, Fire, and Ambulance
The metro areas below employ the most dispatchers, except police, fire, and ambulance in Iowa.
| Metro Area | Number Employed | Annual Median Salary |
|---|---|---|
| Des Moines-West Des Moines, IA | 390 | $49,200 |
| Davenport-Moline-Rock Island, IA-IL | 180 | $49,510 |
| Cedar Rapids, IA | 170 | $56,290 |
| Sioux City, IA-NE-SD | 100 | $50,260 |
| Iowa City, IA | 80 | $54,850 |
| Waterloo-Cedar Falls, IA | 70 | $45,370 |
| Dubuque, IA | 60 | $54,860 |
| Ames, IA | 40 | $56,510 |
Top States for Dispatchers, Except Police, Fire, and Ambulance Employment
View the states that employ the most dispatchers, except police, fire, and ambulance work.
| State | Number Employed |
|---|---|
| California | 24,580 |
| Texas | 24,180 |
| Florida | 12,320 |
| New York | 11,510 |
| Pennsylvania | 7,450 |
| Georgia | 6,830 |
| New Jersey | 6,180 |
| Ohio | 6,010 |
| Michigan | 5,570 |
| North Carolina | 5,430 |
| Virginia | 5,400 |
| Washington | 5,360 |
| Arizona | 5,340 |
| Indiana | 4,590 |
| Tennessee | 4,370 |
| Colorado | 4,220 |
| Maryland | 3,640 |
| Missouri | 3,560 |
| Oregon | 3,430 |
| Wisconsin | 3,350 |
Highest-Paying States for Dispatchers, Except Police, Fire, and Ambulance
Where dispatchers, except police, fire, and ambulance earn the most: dispatchers, except police, fire, and ambulance.
| State | Annual Median Salary |
|---|---|
| District of Columbia | $72,950 |
| Illinois | $62,280 |
| Washington | $57,950 |
| North Dakota | $57,940 |
| Alaska | $57,830 |
| Minnesota | $56,940 |
| Massachusetts | $54,790 |
| Vermont | $54,550 |
| New Jersey | $52,690 |
| Colorado | $52,600 |
Skills
The most important dispatchers, except police, fire, and ambulance skills, rated on an importance scale of 0 to 5:
Knowledge Areas
Key knowledge areas for this occupation, rated on an importance scale of 0 to 5:
Abilities
Top abilities for dispatchers, except police, fire, and ambulance, rated on an importance scale of 0 to 5:
Daily Tasks
Common tasks include:
- Schedule or dispatch workers, work crews, equipment, or service vehicles to appropriate locations, according to customer requests, specifications, or needs, using radios or telephones.
- Prepare daily work and run schedules.
- Confer with customers or supervising personnel to address questions, problems, or requests for service or equipment.
- Relay work orders, messages, or information to or from work crews, supervisors, or field inspectors, using telephones or two-way radios.
- Receive or prepare work orders.
- Record and maintain files or records of customer requests, work or services performed, charges, expenses, inventory, or other dispatch information.
- Arrange for necessary repairs to restore service and schedules.
- Monitor personnel or equipment locations and utilization to coordinate service and schedules.
- Determine types or amounts of equipment, vehicles, materials, or personnel required, according to work orders or specifications.
- Advise personnel about traffic problems, such as construction areas, accidents, congestion, weather conditions, or other hazards.
- Oversee all communications within specifically assigned territories.
- Order supplies or equipment and issue them to personnel.
Work Activities
- Getting Information
- Identifying Objects, Actions, and Events
- Working with Computers
- Making Decisions and Solving Problems
- Communicating with Supervisors, Peers, or Subordinates
- Coordinating the Work and Activities of Others
- Establishing and Maintaining Interpersonal Relationships
- Monitoring Processes, Materials, or Surroundings
- Judging the Qualities of Objects, Services, or People
- Documenting/Recording Information
- Resolving Conflicts and Negotiating with Others
- Performing for or Working Directly with the Public
Tools & Technology
Software and systems commonly involved: Hot technologies: Kronos Workforce Timekeeper, Microsoft Access In-demand technologies: Microsoft Excel
Related Careers
Careers similar to dispatchers, except police, fire, and ambulance include:
- Transportation, Storage, and Distribution Managers
- Postmasters and Mail Superintendents
- First-Line Supervisors of Office and Administrative Support Workers
- Switchboard Operators, Including Answering Service
- Public Safety Telecommunicators
- Production, Planning, and Expediting Clerks
Also Known As
Aircraft Dispatcher, Airplane Dispatch Clerk, Auto Service Dispatcher (Automotive Service Dispatcher), Automobile Rental Dispatcher, Bus Dispatcher, Bus Starter, Bus and Trolley Dispatcher, Cab Starter, Cab Station Attendant, Car Dispatcher, Car Distributor, Car Starter, Car Supplier, Car Tracer, Charter Coordinator.
References
- U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics — https://www.bls.gov/oes/
- O*NET Online — https://www.onetonline.org/
- BLS Employment Projections — https://www.bls.gov/emp/
- O*NET-SOC code: 43-5032.00