Dispatchers, Except Police, Fire, and Ambulance

43-5032.00 Zone 2 — Some Preparation Needed

Schedule and dispatch workers, work crews, equipment, or service vehicles for conveyance of materials, freight, or passengers, or for normal installation, service, or emergency repairs rendered outside the place of business. Duties may include using radio, telephone, or computer to transmit assignments and compiling statistics and reports on work progress.

Also known as: Aircraft Dispatcher, Airplane Dispatch Clerk, Auto Service Dispatcher (Automotive Service Dispatcher), Automobile Rental Dispatcher, Bus and Trolley Dispatcher, Bus Dispatcher, Bus Starter, Cab Starter, ...

Annual Salary

$48,880

Median annual wage (May 2024)

$40,240 25th – 75th percentile $61,520
10th percentile $34,600
90th percentile $76,130
U.S. Employment: 211,000

Job Outlook

-0.9%

Projected growth, 2024–2034 (Declining)

Annual Job Openings 18,500 per year (avg. 2024–2034)
Typical education: High school diploma or equivalent
On-the-job training: Moderate-term on-the-job training

What You'd Do

  • Schedule or dispatch workers, work crews, equipment, or service vehicles to appropriate locations, according to customer requests, specifications, or needs, using radios or telephones.
  • Arrange for necessary repairs to restore service and schedules.
  • Relay work orders, messages, or information to or from work crews, supervisors, or field inspectors, using telephones or two-way radios.
  • Confer with customers or supervising personnel to address questions, problems, or requests for service or equipment.
  • Prepare daily work and run schedules.
  • Receive or prepare work orders.
  • Monitor personnel or equipment locations and utilization to coordinate service and schedules.
  • Record and maintain files or records of customer requests, work or services performed, charges, expenses, inventory, or other dispatch information.
  • Determine types or amounts of equipment, vehicles, materials, or personnel required, according to work orders or specifications.
  • Advise personnel about traffic problems, such as construction areas, accidents, congestion, weather conditions, or other hazards.

Top Skills

Active Listening 4.0
Speaking 4.0
Coordination 3.9
Monitoring 3.9
Reading Comprehension 3.8
Time Management 3.8
Writing 3.1
Service Orientation 3.1

Importance scale: 1 (low) – 5 (high)

Knowledge Areas

Customer and Personal Service 4.3
Public Safety and Security 4.0
Administration and Management 3.9
Administrative 3.7
English Language 3.5
Transportation 3.5
Personnel and Human Resources 3.3
Computers and Electronics 3.1

Importance scale: 1 (low) – 5 (high)

Education Level Distribution

Percentage of workers in this occupation by education level

High School
47.4%
Some College
25.6%
Associate's
7.9%
Certificate
7.1%
Bachelor's
7%
< High School
5%

Technology & Tools

Software and tools commonly used in this role

In-Demand Technologies

Kronos Workforce Timekeeper Microsoft Access Microsoft Excel Microsoft Office software Microsoft Outlook Microsoft PowerPoint Microsoft Windows Microsoft Word SAP software

Other Tools

Air-Trak Cloudberry Bornemann Associates Flight Plan Command Alkon COMMANDconcrete Computer aided design CAD software Computer aided dispatch software Computer aided dispatching auto routing software Database software Digital Gateway e-automate Dr. Dispatch Email software ESRI ArcIMS Geomechanical design analysis GDA software Global positioning system GPS software Locomotive distribution software Microsoft Dynamics +6 more

Work Styles

Personality traits and work styles important for this career

2.7
Dependability
2.1
Attention to Detail
2.0
Stress Tolerance
1.8
Cooperation
1.8
Self-Control
1.7
Adaptability
1.7
Integrity

Key Abilities

Cognitive, physical, and sensory abilities important for this role

Oral Comprehension 4.0
Oral Expression 4.0
Speech Clarity 4.0
Speech Recognition 4.0
Near Vision 3.8
Deductive Reasoning 3.8
Written Comprehension 3.6
Written Expression 3.6

Importance scale: 1 (low) – 5 (high)

Work Activities

General types of job behaviors occurring on this job

Getting Information 4.7
Identifying Objects, Actions, and Events 4.4
Working with Computers 4.1
Making Decisions and Solving Problems 3.9
Communicating with Supervisors, Peers, or Subordinates 3.9
Coordinating the Work and Activities of Others 3.9
Establishing and Maintaining Interpersonal Relationships 3.8
Monitoring Processes, Materials, or Surroundings 3.7

Importance scale: 1 (low) – 5 (high)

Work Environment

Physical and social factors that influence the nature of work

Telephone Conversations
5.0
Face-to-Face Discussions with Individuals and Within Teams
5.0
Contact With Others
4.9
Frequency of Decision Making
4.9
Coordinate or Lead Others in Accomplishing Work Activities
4.8
Impact of Decisions on Co-workers or Company Results
4.7
Work With or Contribute to a Work Group or Team
4.7
Work Outcomes and Results of Other Workers
4.7
E-Mail
4.6
Importance of Being Exact or Accurate
4.6
Freedom to Make Decisions
4.5
Importance of Repeating Same Tasks
4.5

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Salary data: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2024. Outlook data: BLS Employment Projections, 2024–2034.

This page includes information from the O*NET 30.2 Database by the U.S. Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration (USDOL/ETA). Used under the CC BY 4.0 license.