CFChooseField
Office and Administration

Public Safety Telecommunicators

Operate telephone, radio, or other communication systems to receive and communicate requests for emergency assistance at 9-1-1 public safety answering points and emergency operations centers. Take information from the public and other sources regarding crimes, threats, disturbances, acts of terrorism, fires, medical emergencies, and other public safety matters. May coordinate and provide information to law enforcement and emergency response personnel. May access sensitive databases and other information sources as needed. May provide additional instructions to callers based on knowledge of and certification in law enforcement, fire, or emergency medical procedures.

Visual summary of pay, outlook, skills, interests, and preparation for Public Safety Telecommunicators
Download graphic

Median pay

$50,730
Median annual pay for Public Safety Telecommunicators.
U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics · 2024
View source ↗

10-year growth

3.5%
Projected employment growth from 2024 to 2034.
U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics · 2024–2034 projections
View source ↗

Annual openings

10,700
Projected annual openings, including growth and replacement demand.
U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics · 2024–2034 projections
View source ↗

Employment

105,200
Estimated U.S. employment for Public Safety Telecommunicators in 2024.
U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics · 2024
View source ↗

Jobs added or lost

+3,600
Projected numeric employment change from 2024 to 2034.
U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics · 2024–2034 projections
View source ↗

Entry preparation

High school diploma or equivalent
Typical additional preparation: Moderate-term on-the-job training.
U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics · 2024 profile
View source ↗
O*NET occupation profile

What the work involves

Strongest O*NET signals first.

Essential skills

  1. 1Active Listening
  2. 2Speaking
  3. 3Critical Thinking
  4. 4Reading Comprehension
  5. 5Active Learning
  6. 6Monitoring

Knowledge areas

  1. 1Public Safety and Security
  2. 2Law and Government
  3. 3English Language
  4. 4Telecommunications
  5. 5Customer and Personal Service
  6. 6Geography

Abilities

  1. 1Oral Expression
  2. 2Oral Comprehension
  3. 3Speech Clarity
  4. 4Problem Sensitivity
  5. 5Selective Attention
  6. 6Speech Recognition

Career interests

  1. 1Conventional
  2. 2Realistic
  3. 3Social
  4. 4Investigative
  5. 5Enterprising
  6. 6Artistic

Work styles

  1. 1Self-Control
  2. 2Stress Tolerance
  3. 3Dependability
  4. 4Integrity
  5. 5Attention to Detail
  6. 6Cautiousness

Work activities

  1. 1Working with Computers
  2. 2Communicating with People Outside the Organization
  3. 3Documenting/Recording Information
  4. 4Getting Information
  5. 5Processing Information
  6. 6Making Decisions and Solving Problems

Work context

  1. 1Indoors, Environmentally Controlled
  2. 2Telephone Conversations
  3. 3Contact With Others
  4. 4Deal With External Customers or the Public in General
  5. 5Spend Time Sitting
  6. 6Importance of Repeating Same Tasks

Representative tasks

  • Provide emergency medical instructions to callers.
  • Question callers to determine their locations and the nature of their problems to determine type of response needed.
  • Determine response requirements and relative priorities of situations, and dispatch units in accordance with established procedures.
  • Receive incoming telephone or alarm system calls regarding emergency and non-emergency police and fire service, emergency ambulance service, information, and after-hours calls for departments within a city.
  • Relay information and messages to and from emergency sites, to law enforcement agencies, and to all other individuals or groups requiring notification.
  • Record details of calls, dispatches, and messages.
  • Monitor various radio frequencies, such as those used by public works departments, school security, and civil defense, to stay apprised of developing situations.
  • Read and effectively interpret small-scale maps and information from a computer screen to determine locations and provide directions.

Software and tools

Microsoft Office software · in demandMicrosoft Excel · in demandSAP software · hot technologyMicrosoft Word · hot technologyMicrosoft SharePoint · hot technologyMicrosoft Access · hot technologyMicrosoft PowerPoint · hot technologyMicrosoft Outlook · hot technologyNational Law Enforcement Telecommunications System NLETSNational Crime Information Center (NCIC) database911 system information databasesLaw enforcement information databases

Sources

BLS provides national pay, employment, and projections. O*NET provides skills, interests, preparation, tasks, work context, and tools.

ChooseField compares fields using public labor-market and professional sources.