How to Become a 911 Operator: Job Description, Training & Salary
Discover the details of becoming a 911 operator. Learn about the job description, the required training and the potential salary to see if this is a good career for you.
Career Information at a Glance
911 operators receive emergency phone calls, analyze the situation and send out the appropriate agency to help. A high school diploma is typically required, as is training and certification. Get more information on the career from the table below.
<table border="1"><tr><td><b>Degree Required</b></td><td>High school diploma</td></tr>
<tr><td><b>Training Required</b></td><td>Training varies by state</td></tr>
<tr><td><b>Key Skills</b></td><td>Decision-making, multi-tasking, communication</td></tr>
<tr><td><b>Licensure Required</b></td><td>In some states</td></tr>
<tr><td><b>Job Growth (2020-2030)</b></td><td>8% (public safety telecommunicators)*</td></tr>
<tr><td><b>Median Salary (2020)</b></td><td>$43,290 per year (public safety telecommunicators)*</td></tr>
</table><p><i>Source: *U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics</i>
</p><h3 id="section---WhatDo911OperatorsDo">What Do 911 Operators Do?</h3><p>911 dispatchers take calls from people who are experiencing an emergency. Their job is to listen to the caller, determine the nature of the emergency and contact the appropriate agency (such as the fire department, the police or emergency medical services). They may need to help the person on the other end of the line stay calm through a stressful situation and, in some cases, they may even be asked to give basic medical instructions. Throughout the call and after, 911 operators take notes detailing information about the caller and the emergency.
</p><h3 id="section---WhatTrainingDoYouNeed">What Training Do You Need?</h3><p>No federal regulation exists, so every state has different requirements when it comes to training for 911 dispatchers. Some states mandate training and continuing education, while others handle their own training within each agency. Training typically includes things like geography, dealing with high-risk situations and standard procedures and protocols. Operators are also trained in how to use special equipment and computer programs necessary for the job.
</p><h3 id="section---WhatLicensureDoYouNeed">What Licensure Do You Need?</h3><p>As with the training, requirements for certification also differ from state to state. Many do require some sort of certification. One of the more common ones is the Emergency Medical Dispatcher (EMD) certification, which allows operators to assist callers medically over the phone. There are also some voluntary certifications that show the dispatcher's dedication to, and understanding of, the profession. These include the Registered Public-Safety Leader (RPL) certification from the Association of Public-Safety Communications Officials and the Emergency Number Professional (ENP) from the National Emergency Number Association.
</p><h3 id="section---WhatCanYouMakeAsA911Operator">What Can You Make as a 911 Operator?</h3><p>Because emergencies happen 24/7, 911 operators are often asked to work long shifts during odd hours, including overnights, weekends and holidays. According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), the median wage for police, fire and ambulance dispatchers in May 2018 was $40,660 a year.
</p><h3 id="section---WhatSTheJobOutlook">What's the Job Outlook?</h3><p>Being a 911 operator can be stressful and difficult. As a result, much of the demand for new dispatchers will come from people who retire or leave the workforce. Being able to handle emotional, often tragic situations and work long hours will help your chances of getting into (and staying in) the career. The BLS predicts employment for public safety telecommunicators to increase by 8% between 2020 and 2030, which is about as fast as the average for all occupations.</p>