Public Safety Telecommunicators Salary in San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA
The median pay for a public safety telecommunicators in San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA is $125,310/year ($60.25/hour), per BLS data. The range runs from $72K at the entry level to $141K for experienced workers. Prices run high here (RPP 110.42), so that salary is closer to $113,485 in real purchasing power. A 2-bedroom apartment runs $3,483/month — about 47.1% of take-home, which is tight.
AffordMap analysis of BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (latest release, May 2024)
So what does $125K get you in San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara?
About public safety telecommunicators
Compensation breakdown
Annual earnings by percentile, San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA
Entry-level public safety telecommunicators (10th percentile) start around $72K. Mid-career wages sit at $125K.Top earners bring in $141K or more - a $68K 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 San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara numbers change.
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Frequently asked questions
How much do public safety telecommunicators make in San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA?
The median is $125,310 a year - that works out to about $60.25 an hour. The range is wide: entry-level workers start around $72,270, and experienced public safety telecommunicators can clear $140,650. These are BLS numbers, based on employer-reported data, not self-reported surveys.
Is $125K enough to live in San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara?
On that salary, you'd take home roughly $7,384/month after taxes. A 2-bedroom here rents for about $3,483/month (HUD Fair Market Rent), which eats 47.2% 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 San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara?
San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara has a Regional Price Parity of 110.42 (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 $113,485 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.