Public Safety Telecommunicators Salary in U.S.
The median pay for a public safety telecommunicators in U.S. is $50,730/year ($24.39/hour), per BLS data. The range runs from $36K at the entry level to $78K for experienced workers.
AffordMap analysis of BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (latest release, May 2024)
So what does $51K get you in U.S.?
About public safety telecommunicators
Compensation breakdown
Annual earnings by percentile, U.S.
Entry-level public safety telecommunicators (10th percentile) start around $36K. Mid-career wages sit at $51K.Top earners bring in $78K or more - a $42K spread from bottom to top.
Public Safety Telecommunicators pay across states
Median income ranked highest to lowest, compared to the national figure
| State | Median salary | vs. national | Employment |
|---|---|---|---|
| California | $78K | +54% | 8,510 |
| Washington | $77K | +52% | 2,580 |
| Oregon | $71K | +39% | 980 |
| Minnesota | $65K | +28% | 1,180 |
| Alaska | $63K | +25% | 420 |
| Connecticut | $63K | +25% | 1,700 |
| Illinois | $60K | +18% | 3,730 |
| New York | $59K | +17% | 5,620 |
| Massachusetts | $59K | +17% | 2,920 |
| New Jersey | $59K | +16% | 3,940 |
| Ohio | $57K | +12% | 4,490 |
| Maryland | $57K | +12% | 1,540 |
| District of Columbia | $57K | +12% | 60 |
| Vermont | $55K | +9% | 270 |
| Hawaii | $55K | +8% | 210 |
Track public safety telecommunicators salary changes
BLS updates this data quarterly. We'll email you when U.S. numbers change.
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Frequently asked questions
How much do public safety telecommunicators make in U.S.?
The median is $50,730 a year - that works out to about $24.39 an hour. The range is wide: entry-level workers start around $35,640, and experienced public safety telecommunicators can clear $78,110. These are BLS numbers, based on employer-reported data, not self-reported surveys.
Is $51K enough to live in U.S.?
On that salary, you'd take home roughly $3,567/month after taxes. A 2-bedroom here rents for about $1,412/month, which eats 39.6% of your paycheck. That's above the 30% rule of thumb - housing will be a stretch at the median salary, though you can manage with roommates or a smaller place.
How far does a public safety telecommunicators salary go in U.S.?
U.S. has a Regional Price Parity of 100 (100 is the national average). That's right at the national average. After cost-of-living adjustment, the median public safety telecommunicators salary is worth about $50,730 in national-average purchasing power.
Where do public safety telecommunicators get paid the most?
The table above ranks every state by median pay for this role. Keep in mind that the highest-paying states tend to have the highest costs of living, so the top salary doesn't always mean the most money in your pocket.