Top Skills for This Career
BLS identifies these as the three highest-rated skills for this detailed occupation. TrustInEd adds the plain-language explanations so visitors understand what each skill means.
Adjusting effectively when priorities, conditions, tools, or expectations change.
Paying close attention to accuracy, quality, instructions, and small but important details.
Understanding customer needs and providing helpful, professional service.
How Do You Prepare for This Career?
BLS describes the typical preparation for this occupation. Requirements can vary by employer, state, licensing rules and individual circumstances.
How to Become One
Public safety telecommunicators typically need a high school diploma to enter the occupation and then are trained on the job. Many states and localities require these workers to become certified. PayThe median annual wage for public safety telecommunicators was $53,040 in May 2025. Job Outlook Employment of public safety telecommunicators is projected to grow 4 percent from 2025 to 2035, about as fast as the average for all occupations. About 9,000 openings for public safety telecommunicators are projected each year, on average, over the decade. Many of those openings are expected to result from the need to replace workers who transfer to different occupations or exit the labor force, such as to retire. State & Area Data Explore resources for employment and wages by state and area for public safety telecommunicators. Similar Occupations Compare the job duties, education, job growth, and pay of public safety telecommunicators with similar occupations. More Information, Including Links to O*NET Learn more about public safety telecommunicators by visiting additional resources, including O*NET, a source on key characteristics of workers and occupations.
Your Next Step
Review training, certifications, apprenticeships, or employer-based preparation that may support entry into this career.
Pay
The median annual wage for public safety telecommunicators was $53,040 in May 2025. Job Outlook Employment of public safety telecommunicators is projected to grow 4 percent from 2025 to 2035, about as fast as the average for all occupations. About 9,000 openings for public safety telecommunicators are projected each year, on average, over the decade. Many of those openings are expected to result from the need to replace workers who transfer to different occupations or exit the labor force, such as to retire. State & Area Data Explore resources for employment and wages by state and area for public safety telecommunicators. Similar Occupations Compare the job duties, education, job growth, and pay of public safety telecommunicators with similar occupations. More Information, Including Links to O*NET Learn more about public safety telecommunicators by visiting additional resources, including O*NET, a source on key characteristics of workers and occupations.
Job Outlook
Employment of public safety telecommunicators is projected to grow 4 percent from 2025 to 2035, about as fast as the average for all occupations. About 9,000 openings for public safety telecommunicators are projected each year, on average, over the decade. Many of those openings are expected to result from the need to replace workers who transfer to different occupations or exit the labor force, such as to retire. State & Area Data Explore resources for employment and wages by state and area for public safety telecommunicators. Similar Occupations Compare the job duties, education, job growth, and pay of public safety telecommunicators with similar occupations. More Information, Including Links to O*NET Learn more about public safety telecommunicators by visiting additional resources, including O*NET, a source on key characteristics of workers and occupations.
What They Do
Public safety telecommunicators, including 911 operators and fire dispatchers, answer emergency and nonemergency calls and provide resources to assist those in need.
Work Environment
Public safety telecommunicators work in emergency communication centers called public safety answering points (PSAPs). These workers usually have shifts that include evenings, weekends, and holidays to provide round-the-clock coverage. The pressure to respond quickly and calmly in alarming situations may be stressful.
How to Become a Public Safety Telecommunicator
Public safety telecommunicators typically need a high school diploma to enter the occupation and then are trained on the job. Many states and localities require these workers to become certified.
Pay
The median annual wage for public safety telecommunicators was $53,040 in May 2025.
Job Outlook
Employment of public safety telecommunicators is projected to grow 4 percent from 2025 to 2035, about as fast as the average for all occupations.
About 9,000 openings for public safety telecommunicators are projected each year, on average, over the decade. Many of those openings are expected to result from the need to replace workers who transfer to different occupations or exit the labor force, such as to retire.
State & Area Data
Explore resources for employment and wages by state and area for public safety telecommunicators.
Similar Occupations
Compare the job duties, education, job growth, and pay of public safety telecommunicators with similar occupations.
More Information, Including Links to O*NET
Learn more about public safety telecommunicators by visiting additional resources, including O*NET, a source on key characteristics of workers and occupations.
Work Environment
Public safety telecommunicators work in emergency communication centers called public safety answering points (PSAPs). These workers usually have shifts that include evenings, weekends, and holidays to provide round-the-clock coverage. The pressure to respond quickly and calmly in alarming situations may be stressful.
How to Become a Public Safety Telecommunicator
Public safety telecommunicators typically need a high school diploma to enter the occupation and then are trained on the job. Many states and localities require these workers to become certified.
Pay
The median annual wage for public safety telecommunicators was $53,040 in May 2025.
Job Outlook
Employment of public safety telecommunicators is projected to grow 4 percent from 2025 to 2035, about as fast as the average for all occupations.
About 9,000 openings for public safety telecommunicators are projected each year, on average, over the decade. Many of those openings are expected to result from the need to replace workers who transfer to different occupations or exit the labor force, such as to retire.
State & Area Data
Explore resources for employment and wages by state and area for public safety telecommunicators.
Similar Occupations
Compare the job duties, education, job growth, and pay of public safety telecommunicators with similar occupations.
More Information, Including Links to O*NET
Learn more about public safety telecommunicators by visiting additional resources, including O*NET, a source on key characteristics of workers and occupations.
State & Area Data
Explore resources for employment and wages by state and area for public safety telecommunicators.
Similar Occupations
Compare the job duties, education, job growth, and pay of public safety telecommunicators with similar occupations.
More Information, Including Links to O*NET
Learn more about public safety telecommunicators by visiting additional resources, including O*NET, a source on key characteristics of workers and occupations.
More Information
Learn more about public safety telecommunicators by visiting additional resources, including O*NET, a source on key characteristics of workers and occupations.
Take the Next Step
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Start with ED →Career data and occupational profile text are sourced from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Outlook Handbook and Employment Projections program. Education requirements are typical entry-level requirements and may vary by employer, state, occupation or individual circumstance. View the official BLS profile.