Public Safety Telecommunicators vs. Office Clerks, General: Who Earns More?
Public Safety Telecommunicators out-earn Office Clerks, General by $8K a year at the national median, per BLS OEWS May 2025. Public Safety Telecommunicators land at $53,040 and Office Clerks, General at $45,010. The education gap is real: public safety telecommunicator programs typically require high school diploma or equivalent, while office clerks, general programs require high school diploma or equivalent. Top-paying state for Public Safety Telecommunicators is California ($80,120); for Office Clerks, General it's District of Columbia ($55,040).
Pay by state
States where both occupations have BLS data, sorted by Public Safety Telecommunicators median pay.
Source: BLS OEWS May 2025. Highlighted value is higher in each row.
Common questions
Who earns more, Public Safety Telecommunicators or Office Clerks, General?
Public Safety Telecommunicators earn more nationally. The median is $53,040 for Public Safety Telecommunicators versus $45,010 for Office Clerks, General, a difference of $8K. Per BLS OEWS May 2025.
Which has better job growth, Public Safety Telecommunicators or Office Clerks, General?
Public Safety Telecommunicators has the better 10-year outlook at 3.5% projected growth, compared to -6.7% for the other field. Both are from BLS Employment Projections.
Which requires more education, Public Safety Telecommunicators or Office Clerks, General?
Public Safety Telecommunicators typically requires high school diploma or equivalent. Office Clerks, General requires high school diploma or equivalent. Education requirements vary by employer and state licensing board.
Where do Public Safety Telecommunicators get paid the most?
California is the top-paying state for Public Safety Telecommunicators at $80,120/year, per BLS OEWS May 2025. Major metro areas within that state typically pay even more than the state average.
How does Public Safety Telecommunicators vs. Office Clerks, General pay differ by state?
The gap varies significantly by state. In California, Public Safety Telecommunicators earn $80,120 vs. $48,460 for Office Clerks, General. See the state comparison table on this page for the full picture.