California is a state with 55 counties and 482 incorporated cities. This makes it difficult to find out what the salary of a Dispatcher would be on average, because with more than one city in each county, every city will have its own budget, as well as its own average yearly salary of Dispatchers.
Police dispatch is a crucial part of law enforcement. Police dispatchers take calls from people who need help, and they have to respond quickly and effectively—before it’s too late.
If you’ve ever wondered what a police dispatcher salary is in California, you’re not alone: many people are curious about this topic. But what factors determine how much you earn as a police dispatcher?
According to PayScale’s most recent data (from 2019), the average annual salary for a police dispatcher in California is $49,000 per year. This number can vary based on where you work and what type of agency employs you (for example, whether it’s a city or county police department).
The highest-paid police dispatchers make more than $56,000 per year in California; those who work at Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department earn an average of $63,000 per year. The lowest-paid police dispatchers make less than $32,000 per year; those who work at San Mateo County Sheriff’s Office earn an average of $26,000 per year. This article also examines how much do police dispatchers make an hour, how to become a 911 dispatcher.
Police Dispatcher Salary In California
how much do police dispatchers make an hour
As of Oct 20, 2022, the average annual pay for a 911 Dispatcher in California is $43,428 a year. Just in case you need a simple salary calculator, that works out to be approximately $20.88 an hour. This is the equivalent of $835/week or $3,619/month.
While ZipRecruiter is seeing salaries as high as $55,580 and as low as $17,369, the majority of 911 Dispatcher salaries currently range between $27,293 (25th percentile) to $40,195 (75th percentile) with top earners (90th percentile) making $50,120 annually in California.
The average pay range for a 911 Dispatcher varies greatly (as much as $12,902), which suggests there may be many opportunities for advancement and increased pay based on skill level, location and years of experience.
Based on recent job posting activity on ZipRecruiter, the 911 Dispatcher job market in California is not very active as few companies are currently hiring.
California ranks number 2 out of 50 states nationwide for 911 Dispatcher salaries.
To estimate the most accurate annual salary range for 911 Dispatcher jobs, ZipRecruiter continuously scans its database of millions of active jobs published locally throughout America.
What are Top 10 Highest Paying Cities for 911 Dispatcher Jobs in California
We’ve identified 10 cities where the typical salary for a 911 Dispatcher job is above the average in California. Topping the list is Santa Clara, with San Francisco and Bolinas close behind in second and third. Bolinas beats the California average by 9.9%, and Santa Clara furthers that trend with another $6,250 (14.4%) above the $43,428.
With these 10 cities paying on average above the average for California, the opportunities for economic advancement by changing locations as a 911 Dispatcher appears to be exceedingly fruitful.
Finally, another factor to consider is the average salary for these top 10 cities varies very little at 12% between Santa Clara and Hayward, reinforcing the limited potential for much wage advancement. The possibility of a lower cost of living may be the best factor to use when considering location and salary for a 911 Dispatcher role.
| City | Annual Salary | Monthly Pay | Weekly Pay | Hourly Wage |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Santa Clara | $49,678 | $4,139 | $955 | $23.88 |
| San Francisco | $48,030 | $4,002 | $923 | $23.09 |
| Bolinas | $47,713 | $3,976 | $917 | $22.94 |
| Fremont | $46,884 | $3,907 | $901 | $22.54 |
| San Jose | $45,402 | $3,783 | $873 | $21.83 |
| Oakland | $44,961 | $3,746 | $864 | $21.62 |
| Sunnyvale | $44,356 | $3,696 | $853 | $21.33 |
| Inverness | $44,233 | $3,686 | $850 | $21.27 |
| Santa Maria | $44,003 | $3,666 | $846 | $21.16 |
| Hayward | $43,988 | $3,665 | $845 | $21.15 |
What are Top 5 Best Paying Related 911 Dispatcher Jobs in California
We found at least 5 jobs related to the 911 Dispatcher job category that pay more per year than a typical 911 Dispatcher salary in California. Top examples of these roles include: Power Dispatcher, Power System Dispatcher, and Remote Emergency Dispatcher.
Importantly, all of these jobs are paid between $19,731 (45.4%) and $38,867 (89.5%) more than the average 911 Dispatcher salary of $43,428. If you’re qualified, getting hired for one of these related 911 Dispatcher jobs may help you make more money than that of the average 911 Dispatcher position.
| Job Title | Annual Salary | Monthly Pay | Weekly Pay | Hourly Wage |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Power Dispatcher | $82,295 | $6,857 | $1,582 | $39.57 |
| Power System Dispatcher | $75,459 | $6,288 | $1,451 | $36.28 |
| Remote Emergency Dispatcher | $72,547 | $6,045 | $1,395 | $34.88 |
| 911 Rapid Response | $68,608 | $5,717 | $1,319 | $32.98 |
| Work From Home Civilian Dispatcher | $63,159 | $5,263 | $1,214 | $30.37 |
About Our Data
ZipRecruiter salary estimates, histograms, trends and comparisons are derived from both employer job postings and third party data sources.
how to become a 911 dispatcher
Requirements
High school graduate or equivalent
At least 18 years of age
Work weekends, holidays, overtime, and rotating shifts
Must pass a typing test (40 WPM)
No felonies or DUIs
Moral character
Good communications skills
Creative problem solving skills
Must pass a hearing test
Passion for helping others
Pass background investigation
Pass polygraph
Pass a computerized skills test
No marijuana use within the last 12 months
