Taking a 911 Operator Test 2025

911 operators earn an average of $40,620 annually, according to Indeed. Your experience level and geographic location are just two variables that may affect your pay in this position.

Candidates must meet the minimum requirements to work as a 911 dispatcher/operator, which include being at least 18 years old and possessing a high school diploma or a GED. Most organizations also demand that applicants have a current state driver’s license. Most people who pursue careers in emergency dispatch typically have a degree from a college in a closely related field. A related degree can give you previously unheard-of expertise in relevant areas, like communications, emergency preparedness, the criminal justice system, and specific public safety standards.

The average hourly wage for a 911 Operator in the United States as of November 10, 2025, is $20.66.

Most of the time, 911 operators are neither law enforcement nor police. They are employees who are paid to take calls and then dispatch the appropriate services in response to the current emergency.

The salary of a 911 dispatcher in California is $46,100 on average as of October 27, 2025, with a normal range of $40,500 to $52,000.

As of October 27, 2025, the average 911 Dispatcher pay in Texas is $40,600, but the range typically ranges from $35,700 to $45,700.

The Operator and Kent Chungus are the hosts of the multi-award-winning 911 Call Podcast with The Operator (from the award-winning podcast True Crime Kent).

Due to their stressful job or the fact that they urgently require specific information from the caller but are not getting it, 911 operators may come across as rude.

The average yearly salary for a 911 Dispatcher in Florida as of November 10, 2025, is $33,444. That comes to roughly $16.08 an hour, in case you need a quick salary calculator. This amounts to $643 per week or $2,787 per month.

It will take the police dispatcher 120 hours to complete the training course. Fourteen domains are covered. Among them are missing persons, domestic violence, critical incidents, interpersonal communication, professional orientation and ethics, and wellness management.

When you dial 911, a call representative will answer and ask, “911, what’s your emergency?” Ideally, you should explain the emergency to the call-taker, such as, “My house is on fire!” Someone is breaking into my house, I hear!

Most public safety communicators work in communication centers, also known as public safety answering points (PSAPs). While some answer emergency calls for unified communication centers, which provide all emergency services, others work specifically for police or fire departments.

A free training course is provided to newly hired staff members and can last between 400 and 520 hours.

The average weekly wage for a 911 Dispatcher in the United States as of November 10, 2025, is $775.

Currently, there are over 64,441 911 emergency dispatchers working in the US.

Emergency Medical Services (EMS) will use the wireless location provided by the carrier as a better-than-nothing way to track your phone if you don’t provide your location when you call for help.

Yes, to answer briefly. Using specialized computer programs, VPNs, routers, laptops, and smartphones, 911 dispatchers in larger, urban areas can now assist in emergencies and crises without ever leaving the comfort and security of their homes.

However, even though your phone has GPS, 911 operators are frequently unable to pinpoint the exact location of your call, even when inside your own home. Most cell phone owners are unaware of this until an emergency occurs.

Police dispatchers are required to hold a GED or at least a high school diploma. Although it is unnecessary, some professionals might pursue higher education, such as an associate’s degree in a relevant subject like criminal justice, law enforcement, or psychology.

The National Emergency Number Association estimates that 240 million calls to 911 are placed in the US annually. That translates to more than 657,000 calls daily.

911 Dispatcher jobs in the US typically pay $775 per week, with salaries ranging from $461 to $971 per month.

The average annual salary for a 911 Dispatcher in Arizona is $39,002 as of Nov. 10, 2025.

As of October 27, 2025, the average 911 Dispatcher pay in Georgia is $40,000, but the range is typically between $35,100 and $45,000.

As of October 27, 2025, the average 911 Dispatcher pay in New York, NY, is $49,700, but the range typically ranges from $43,700 to $56,000.

A dispatcher must work for a jurisdictional or commercial emergency medical services provider to be license-eligible. To become licensed in Maryland, an emergency medical dispatcher must complete an educational program approved by MEIMSS. Exams will be the course’s finale.

Submit a job application and pass the civil service examination, and finish the training and pre-employment process.

Have a high school diploma or GED, be 18 years old, and be able to type 35 words per minute with few mistakes.

Being a 911 dispatcher is a fast-paced, demanding, and rewarding career. Dispatchers are the face—or the ear—of 911 emergency calls as a link in the chain of emergency responders. A dispatcher must be exceptional, and not everyone is suited for the job.

For many reasons, being an emergency dispatcher is challenging. First, the work is incredibly demanding and stressful; answering a panicked caller’s phone could instantly change that person’s life.

Handles incoming calls for law enforcement, fire, and emergency medical services (911) from the general public, triages them according to urgency and dispatches the appropriate personnel and equipment per established departmental policies and procedures while communicating relevant information to the responding officers.

These experts might decide to continue their education by getting a degree at the associate level in a relevant subject like psychology, criminal justice, or law enforcement.

911 Callers’ safety and comfort are maintained as operators gather important information and give calls for service priority. In addition to assigning these calls to officers and dispatching additional resources as needed for the various situations they run into, dispatchers manage calls for service.

The problem is that they can give the paramedics headed in their direction new information by requesting more information.

Although it is legal for 911 operators to hang up on callers, this rarely happens. This is because their agency or employer’s policies are frequently very strict, and they must take emergency calls seriously due to their training requirements.

Dispatchers will be categorized as first responders.

First responders and 911 dispatchers are generally exempt from civil liability for negligence.

It depends, is the answer. Some dispatch centers are fortunate enough to employ dispatchers who speak Spanish. Others aren’t.

Seniors and Communications Dispatchers must always be dressed fully for duty unless the Division Commander specifically exempts them from doing so.

Most public safety communicators work full-time, frequently in shifts of 8 to 12 hours.

Dispatcher shifts are 12 hours long. You will work three 12-hour shifts in one week, followed by three 12-hour shifts and one 8-hour shift in the following week.

In Texas, a Police Dispatcher makes an average hourly wage of $19.42.

The average annual wage for emergency dispatchers in Canada is $44,333, or $22.74 per hour. The starting salary for entry-level professions is $31,200, while the average yearly salary for experienced workers is $73,710.

As of October 27, 2025, the average 911 Dispatcher pay in Illinois is $42,400, but the range is normally between $37,300 and $47,800.

As of October 27, 2025, the average 911 Dispatcher pay in Los Angeles, California, is $46,700, but the range typically lies between $41,100 and $52,700.

As of October 27, 2025, the average 911 Dispatcher pay in Maryland is $42,600; however, the range is typically between $37,400 and $48,000.

As of October 27, 2025, the average 911 Dispatcher pay in Massachusetts is $44,900. However, the range frequently lies between $39,500 and $50,700.

As of October 27, 2025, the average Emergency Dispatcher pay in Michigan is $41,286; however, the range is between $36,285 and $46,547.

As of October 27, 2025, the average 911 Dispatcher pay in New Jersey is $45,700. However, the range frequently lies between $40,100 and $51,500.

As of October 27, 2025, the average 911 Dispatcher pay in Ohio is $40,300, while the range frequently ranges from $35,400 to $45,500.

As of October 27, 2025, the average 911 Dispatcher pay in Oregon is $41,100, but the range is normally between $36,200 and $46,400.

As of October 27, 2025, the average 911 Dispatcher pay in Pennsylvania is $41,200; however, the range is normally between $36,200 and $46,500.

As of October 27, 2025, the average 911 Dispatcher pay in Tennessee is $37,500, while the range is normally between $33,000 and $42,300.

As of October 27, 2025, the average 911 Dispatcher pay in Washington was $44,100, but the range was frequently between $38,800 and $49,700.

A minimum age of 18 is required for working as a 911 operator.

• Successful completion of a 40-hour basic telecommunications course that covers topics like:

-Stress Reduction

-Communication Between Individuals

-Radio Communication

-Phone Skills

-Public Health and Safety

• All dispatchers must complete at least 40 hours of the following before two years of employment:

-Emergency Liability

-Suicide Prevention

-Home Abuse

-Homeland Security

• Additionally, every two years, all dispatchers must complete 24 hours of training; this training can be completed on-site.

Either possess a permanent residence permit or be a citizen of Canada and possess a high school diploma or its equivalent from Canada. You must be three years free of any illicit activities and have no prior convictions. Meet the requirements for physical and mental well-being determined by RCMP Health Services.

They require two years of clerical, customer service, or public interaction experience in addition to high school graduation or GED. A minimum of 40 words per minute must be typed. The application must be submitted with a typing certification.

It will take the police dispatcher 120 hours to finish the training course. Fourteen domains are covered. These include missing individuals, domestic abuse, critical incidents, interpersonal communication, professional orientation and ethics, and wellness management.

In Colorado, there are different requirements for each town when it comes to employing and training emergency dispatchers. One of the states without a minimal standard for emergency services training in Colorado. However, individual agencies might provide a sizable amount of classroom and workplace training. For instance, a Denver 911 worker would normally spend an extra twelve weeks working with a trainer after completing eight weeks of classroom instruction. The profession of 911 dispatch falls under a larger category known as “emergency communications” or “public safety communications.” Advancement depends on a variety of variables. An associate’s or bachelor’s degree in higher education could lead to more career prospects and a position as an emergency dispatcher.

Regardless of their employer, Georgia state law mandates that all 911 dispatchers in the state complete 40 hours of training and pass the Georgia Peace Officer Standards and Training Council (POST) Communications Officer certification exam within their first six months of employment.

You must submit your application online after discovering a position in communications. Some papers, like certifications and transcripts, may need to be mailed directly to the Office of Human Resources. After your application is approved, you will be required to take a test that simulates using a keyboard. The required typing speed is 25 words per minute. The department will extensively review your background when you pass your exam. Making sure you don’t have a criminal record is necessary for this. You will also be tested to ensure you don’t have any drugs in your system.

To work as a 911 dispatcher in Indiana, a candidate must satisfy the state’s training and educational criteria.

Police, medical, or fire dispatch may be an area of expertise for California emergency dispatchers. Communications centers for fire departments occasionally handle both fire and medical services. An associate’s or bachelor’s degree in higher education could lead to more career prospects and a position as an emergency dispatcher.

The training and coursework necessary to become a 911 dispatcher in Louisiana must be finished in order to secure employment and successfully carry out job duties.

You must first finish the necessary education and training required by the state to work as a 911 dispatcher in Massachusetts. The prerequisites are listed here for your reference.

To get licensed in Maryland, an emergency medical dispatcher must complete an educational program approved by MESS. Exams will be the course’s finale.

You must get your Missouri Uniform Law Enforcement System (MULES) certification to be eligible for positions as a 911 dispatcher.

You can become a certified Public Service Telecommunicator and start working as a 911 Dispatcher in the State of New Jersey in 8 weeks if you complete our online, part-time 911 Dispatcher Basic Telecommunication training course.

A two-week Department of Public Safety, Standards, and Training (DPSST) academy in Salem and a ten-week internal academy are required for all new 911 dispatchers in Oregon. During these training sessions, recruits learn how to take and process emergency calls and dispatch police, fire, and EMT responders.

In Pennsylvania, 911 operators should anticipate having and maintaining certification in CPR and emergency medical dispatcher (EMD) (Class C). The mandatory EMD and CPR certificates are part of the minimum 104 hours of classroom and practical training that PEMA stipulates.

Must work for a public safety answering service located in South Carolina. A criminal background check with NCIC and SCCH reveals no offenses with sentences longer than a year. Submit a legible copy of your certificate, transcript, or other proof that you finished the NIMS ICS-100 level course.

Focus, tenacity, and the appropriate education and training are necessary to become a 911 dispatcher or operator in Washington.

There are a few ways to file a complaint about a 911 operator. The first and best way is to speak to the dispatcher’s supervisor. The supervisor will be able to listen to the call and assess what happened. They may also be able to provide training or additional support to the dispatcher in question. If you don’t feel comfortable speaking with the supervisor, or they are unavailable, you can file a complaint with your local police department. They will investigate the situation and take appropriate action. Finally, if neither option is available or effective, you can file a complaint with the FCC. However, this should be a last resort as it can be more difficult to get results from the FCC.

Unfortunately, there is no way to delete teams in the 911 Operator mobile app. If you no longer need a team, you can archive it instead. To archive a team, open the team’s chat and tap on “More” in the top right corner. Then select ” Archive.” The team will be hidden from your list but still available if you need to use it again.

Thanking a 911 operator is important, and there are many ways to do so. First and foremost, express your gratitude as soon as possible after the emergency has been resolved. This is especially important if an operator has stayed on the line with you for an extended period. You can also send a handwritten letter or card or leave a voicemail message. If you’d like to donate in honor of the 911 operator who helped you, many agencies have funds set up specifically for this purpose. And finally, if you feel comfortable doing so, you can always post a review online thanking the operator for their help.

Yes, 911 dispatchers work for the government, but they lack police authority and are not sworn officers of the law.

Being a 911 dispatcher is a fast-paced, demanding, and rewarding vocation. Dispatchers are the voice or face of 911 emergency calls as a link in a chain of emergency responders. A dispatcher must be exceptional, and only some are suitable for the job.

• Must be eighteen (18) years old or older.
• Have a high school diploma or a diploma equivalent to a graduate degree (GED).
• Pass the pre-employment computer test.
• Succeed in a thorough background check.
• Get a clean bill of health.
• Clear a drug test.
• Pass the automated voice stress test (CVSA).

Generally, a high school diploma is needed to work as a 911 operator. However, each firm has different requirements.

Being a 911 dispatcher is a fast-paced, demanding, and rewarding vocation. Dispatchers are the voice or face of 911 emergency calls as a link in a chain of emergency responders. A dispatcher must be exceptional, and not everyone is suitable for the job.

Random drug testing is conducted on dispatchers.