Public Safety Telecommunicators Salary in Olympia-Lacey-Tumwater, WA
The median pay for a public safety telecommunicators in Olympia-Lacey-Tumwater, WA is $80,930/year ($38.91/hour), per BLS data. The range runs from $61K at the entry level to $87K for experienced workers. Adjusted for local prices (RPP 103.67), that's roughly $78,065 in purchasing power. A 2-bedroom apartment runs $1,960/month — about 36.2% of take-home, which is tight.
AffordMap analysis of BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (latest release, May 2024)
So what does $81K get you in Olympia-Lacey-Tumwater?
About public safety telecommunicators
Compensation breakdown
Annual earnings by percentile, Olympia-Lacey-Tumwater, WA
Entry-level public safety telecommunicators (10th percentile) start around $61K. Mid-career wages sit at $81K.Top earners bring in $87K or more - a $25K 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 Olympia-Lacey-Tumwater numbers change.
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Frequently asked questions
How much do public safety telecommunicators make in Olympia-Lacey-Tumwater, WA?
The median is $80,930 a year - that works out to about $38.91 an hour. The range is wide: entry-level workers start around $61,050, and experienced public safety telecommunicators can clear $86,510. These are BLS numbers, based on employer-reported data, not self-reported surveys.
Is $81K enough to live in Olympia-Lacey-Tumwater?
On that salary, you'd take home roughly $5,443/month after taxes. A 2-bedroom here rents for about $1,960/month (HUD Fair Market Rent), which eats 36% 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 Olympia-Lacey-Tumwater?
Olympia-Lacey-Tumwater has a Regional Price Parity of 103.67 (100 is the national average). Prices are above average here, so your dollar buys less than the same salary would in a cheaper metro. After cost-of-living adjustment, the median public safety telecommunicators salary is worth about $78,065 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.