Public Safety Telecommunicators Salary
The median pay for a public safety telecommunicators in Washington is $78,850/year ($37.91/hour), per BLS data. The range runs from $57K at the entry level to $96K for experienced workers. Adjusted for local prices (RPP 102.01), that's roughly $77,296 in purchasing power. A 2-bedroom apartment runs $1,830/month, about 33.4% of take-home, which is tight.
Statewide average. Salary and cost of living vary significantly across Washington. Jump to a metro for precise data:
So what does $79K get you in Washington?
About public safety telecommunicators
Sponsored links, AffordMap may earn a commission at no cost to you. Learn more
What this looks like in Washington
Washington sits well above the national pay line for public safety telecommunicators, local pay runs about 49% higher than the U.S. median of $53K. Rent runs $1,830/month for a 2-bedroom (HUD FMR), taking 34.4% of the median take-home. That's within the 30% rule, though not by much. Cost of living (RPP 102.01) is near the national average, so spending patterns here track the typical American budget fairly closely. Use the affordability calculator above to model your specific situation.
Compensation breakdown
Annual earnings by percentile, Washington
Entry-level public safety telecommunicators (10th percentile) start around $57K. Mid-career wages sit at $79K. Top earners bring in $96K or more, a $39K spread from bottom to top.
Public Safety Telecommunicators salary by metro in Washington
6 metro areas with BLS data, ranked by median pay
| Metro area | Median salary | vs. state | Employment |
|---|---|---|---|
| Olympia-Lacey-Tumwater | $89K | +13% | 90 |
| Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue | $80K | +2% | 1,040 |
| Kennewick-Richland | $78K | -1% | 50 |
| Spokane-Spokane Valley | $77K | -3% | 290 |
| Bellingham | $76K | -3% | 50 |
| Yakima | $63K | -20% | 80 |
Compare to other states
Track public safety telecommunicators salary changes
BLS updates this data quarterly. We'll email you when Washington numbers change.
Related careers in Office & Admin
Frequently asked questions
Can a public safety telecommunicator afford a 2BR apartment alone in Washington?
It’s a stretch — at the median salary of $79K, rent takes 34.4% of take-home pay. A 2-bedroom at the HUD Fair Market Rent runs $1,830/month. The 30% guideline puts the comfortable ceiling at roughly $1,600/month in rent — so roommates or a 1-bedroom would ease the math significantly.
What’s the entry-level salary for public safety telecommunicators in Washington?
The 10th-percentile wage — what new public safety telecommunicators typically earn — is $57K/year. Take-home on that works out to about $3,415/month. At HUD’s $1,830/month FMR, rent would take 54% of that take-home — above the 30% guideline, so a 1-bedroom or shared housing is likely necessary starting out.
Is public safety telecommunicator a high-paying job in Washington?
Local pay is 49% above the national median — $79K here vs. $53K nationally.
How does Washington compare to the national average for public safety telecommunicators?
Washington pays $79K median vs. the U.S. average of $53K — that’s +49%. After adjusting for local cost of living (RPP 102.01), the purchasing-power equivalent is $77K — still ahead of the national median.
How much do public safety telecommunicators make in Washington?
The median is $78,850 a year, that works out to about $38 an hour. But the range is wide: entry-level workers start around $56,920, and experienced public safety telecommunicators can clear $96,130. These are BLS numbers, based on employer-reported data, not self-reported surveys.
Is $79K enough to live in Washington?
On that salary, you'd take home roughly $5,321/month after taxes. A 2-bedroom here rents for about $1,830/month, which eats 34.4% 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 Washington?
Washington has a Regional Price Parity of 102.01 (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 $77,296 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.