Public safety telecommunicators
Salary, job outlook, AI risk & career information
Median Salary
$50,730
~$24/hr · ~$4,228/mo
US Jobs
105K
As fast as average
AI & Automation Risk
7/10
High Risk
AI & Automation Risk
High Risk 7/10
The core tasks of this role—receiving digital inputs (voice, text, video), processing information according to protocols, and dispatching resources—are highly susceptible to AI automation and augmentation. While the high-stakes nature and need for human empathy provide a temporary buffer, AI's ability to transcribe, translate, and prioritize emergency calls in real-time will significantly restructure the occupation and increase individual worker productivity.
Salary by City — What You Actually Take Home
Real purchasing power = salary adjusted for cost of living. Higher = more money in your pocket.
| City | Local Salary | Cost of Living | Real Purchasing Power |
|---|---|---|---|
| San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CABEST VALUE | $125,310 | Above avg (113.1) | $110,836 |
| San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont, CA | $103,110 | Above avg (117.6) | $87,715 |
| Racine-Mount Pleasant, WI | $77,930 | Below avg (95.2) | $81,853 |
| Vallejo, CA | $87,220 | Above avg (109.4) | $79,756 |
| San Luis Obispo-Paso Robles, CA | $87,870 | Above avg (111.0) | $79,147 |
| Kennewick-Richland, WA | $75,480 | Average (98.9) | $76,331 |
| Anchorage, AK | $81,440 | Above avg (106.8) | $76,275 |
| Olympia-Lacey-Tumwater, WA | $80,930 | Above avg (106.4) | $76,091 |
| Medford, OR | $77,990 | Above avg (103.4) | $75,399 |
| Santa Rosa-Petaluma, CA | $83,110 | Above avg (110.3) | $75,381 |
| Napa, CA | $84,260 | Above avg (111.8) | $75,349 |
| Fort Collins-Loveland, CO | $73,000 | Average (97.3) | $75,020 |
| Eugene-Springfield, OR | $77,130 | Above avg (103.5) | $74,490 |
| Kankakee, IL | $68,370 | Below avg (92.4) | $73,966 |
| Portland-Vancouver-Hillsboro, OR-WA | $78,290 | Above avg (106.7) | $73,364 |
Cost of Living Index: 100 = US national average. Below 100 = cheaper. Above 100 = more expensive.
Education & Requirements
Education Required
High school diploma or equivalent
10-Year Growth
+3% (As fast as average)
Hourly Rate
~$24/hr
Monthly Income
~$4,228/mo
Related Careers
Data: Bureau of Labor Statistics OOH (2024)