How long does it take to become a Dispatcher?

It takes 4 years of professional experience to become a dispatcher. That is the time it takes to learn specific dispatcher skills, but does not account for time spent in formal education.

Do dispatchers make good money?

Yes, dispatchers can make good money. Non-emergency dispatchers average an annual salary of around $40,000 per year or over $19 per hour. The lowest-paid 10% earned $25,000 per year, while the best-paid 10% received over $67,000 in a year or over $32 per hour.

Is it hard to be a dispatcher?

Yes, it is hard to be a dispatcher. Working as a dispatcher can be stressful and require a person to make quick decisions and manage competing responsibilities. A career as a dispatcher is fast-paced and hectic, yet it is also rewarding. As a part of a chain of emergency responders, dispatchers are the primary point of contact for all kinds of emergency calls. It takes a dedicated person to do a dispatcher's work, which is not suited to everyone.

What skills do you need to be a dispatcher?

The most important skills needed to be a dispatcher are communication, problem-solving, and remaining calm under pressure. These skills are all critical for a dispatcher to effectively communicate their position.

Freight Broker vs. Dispatcher

A freight broker is someone who coordinates the connection of freight shipments between shippers and carriers, while a dispatcher is an employee of a freight carrier. A freight broker connects with multiple carriers, and can often negotiate better rates for the shippers. With multiple clients and higher shipping volume, brokers have more bargaining power than an individual business with only a few regular clients. They can handle international movements, but these movements are usually in one specific area.

How To Become A Dispatcher: What It Is and Career Path

What is a dispatcher and how to become one

Updated January 8, 2025

4 min read

A dispatcher is a person who coordinates and communicates with emergency services, transportation, and other service providers. They receive incoming calls and dispatch the appropriate personnel or resources to the scene of the incident. Dispatchers must remain calm and collected while dealing with high-stress situations and must possess strong communication skills to relay information quickly and accurately. They are responsible for maintaining accurate records, monitoring equipment, and ensuring the safety of responders. Dispatchers work in a variety of settings, including police departments, fire departments, ambulance services, and transportation companies. Their role is crucial in coordinating quick and efficient responses to emergencies.

ScoreDispatcherUS Average

Salary

2.8

Avg. Salary $35,328

Avg. Salary $59,228

Stability Level

8.4

Growth Rate 4%

Growth Rate 0.3%

Diversity

8.8

Race

American Indian and Alaska Native 0.91%

Asian 3.85%

Black or African American 10.27%

Hispanic or Latino 17.51%

Unknown 5.06%

White 62.40%

Gender

female 61.86%

male 38.14%

Age - 44

Race

American Indian and Alaska Native 3.00%

Asian 7.00%

Black or African American 14.00%

Hispanic or Latino 19.00%

White 57.00%

Gender

female 47.00%

male 53.00%

Age - 44

Stress Level

8.4

Stress level is high

7.1 - high

Complexity Level

5.2

Complexity Level is intermediate

7 - challenging

Work Life Balance

5.0

Work Life balance is fair

6.4 - fair

What are the pros and cons of being a Dispatcher?

Pros

Exciting and fast-paced work environment
Opportunities for advancement and specialization
Ability to help people in need
Competitive salary and benefits
Varied work schedule options
Opportunity to work in a team-oriented setting
Opportunity to develop strong communication skills
Chance to make a positive impact on the community
Continuous learning opportunities
Job stability

Cons

High-pressure job with little room for error
Work can be emotionally challenging and stressful
Long hours and irregular shifts
Exposure to traumatic situations on a regular basis
Limited ability to control workload or work pace
May require working in a confined space for extended periods of time
Can be mentally demanding as one must remain alert at all times
Limited opportunities for physical activity or movement during shifts
Limited time for breaks or meal periods during busy shifts
May require dealing with difficult or angry callers

Key steps to become a dispatcher

Explore dispatcher education requirements

Most common dispatcher degrees

High School Diploma

32.8 %

Bachelor's

26.8 %

Associate

24.4 %

Start to develop specific dispatcher skills

Skills	Percentages
Customer Service	33.91%
Data Entry	7.79%
Computer Aided Dispatch	4.43%
Non-Emergency Calls	3.70%
Emergency Situations	3.34%

Complete relevant dispatcher training and internships

Accountants spend an average of 1-3 months on post-employment, on-the-job training. New dispatchers learn the skills and techniques required for their job and employer during this time. The chart below shows how long it takes to gain competency as a dispatcher based on U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics data and data from real dispatcher resumes.

Gain additional dispatcher certifications

Dispatcher certifications can show employers you have a baseline of knowledge expected for the position. Certifications can also make you a more competitive candidate. Even if employers don't require a specific dispatcher certification, having one may help you stand out relative to other applicants.

The most common certifications for dispatchers include Commercial Driver License (CDL) and Certified Pharmacy Technician (CPhT).

More About Certifications

Research dispatcher duties and responsibilities

Manage accounts payable (A/P) and accounts receivable (A/R) using QuickBooks.
Manage dot hrs for drivers as far as what tasks can be done in a certain amount of time.
Manage customer service satisfaction by providing update eta and location of drivers.
Dispatch police fire and ems.

Prepare your dispatcher resume

When your background is strong enough, you can start writing your dispatcher resume.

You can use Zippia's AI resume builder to make the resume writing process easier while also making sure that you include key information that hiring managers expect to see on a dispatcher resume. You'll find resume tips and examples of skills, responsibilities, and summaries, all provided by Zippi, your career sidekick.

Choose From 10+ Customizable Dispatcher Resume templates

Build a professional Dispatcher resume in minutes. Browse through our resume examples to identify the best way to word your resume. Then choose from 10+ resume templates to create your Dispatcher resume.

Apply for dispatcher jobs

Now it's time to start searching for a dispatcher job. Consider the tips below for a successful job search:

Browse job boards for relevant postings
Consult your professional network
Reach out to companies you're interested in working for directly
Watch out for job scams

How do dispatchers rate their job?

4.25/5

Based On 4 Ratings

5 Stars

4 Stars

3 Stars

2 Stars

1 Star

Dispatcher reviews

2.0

A zippia user wrote a review on Nov 2022

Pros

Working from home makes life much easier to manage.

Cons

Pay is not a liveable wage.

5.0

A zippia user wrote a review on Mar 2020

Pros

Brief the point of contact between customer and driver

Cons

Micromanagement from those who think they are superior

5.0

A zippia user wrote a review on Feb 2020

Pros

Quick paced, professional environment Troubleshooting. Assisting peers with any issues they might have.

Cons

Micromanagment from superiors.

What is a dispatcher and how to become one

What are the pros and cons of being a Dispatcher?

Dispatcher career paths

Key steps to become a dispatcher

Explore dispatcher education requirements

Most common dispatcher degrees

Start to develop specific dispatcher skills

Complete relevant dispatcher training and internships

Gain additional dispatcher certifications

Research dispatcher duties and responsibilities

Prepare your dispatcher resume

Choose From 10+ Customizable Dispatcher Resume templates

Apply for dispatcher jobs

How Did You Land Your First Dispatcher Job

Average dispatcher salary

How do dispatchers rate their job?

Dispatcher reviews

Dispatcher FAQs

How long does it take to become a Dispatcher?

Do dispatchers make good money?

Is it hard to be a dispatcher?

What skills do you need to be a dispatcher?

Freight Broker vs. Dispatcher

Search for dispatcher jobs

Dispatcher jobs by state