Dispatcher Salary in 2026
How Much Do Dispatchers Make?
Dispatchers earn a median annual salary of $48,880 as of 2026, based on BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) data. Wages span from $34,600 at the 10th percentile to $76,130 at the 90th percentile — a range of $41,530. The highest-paying state is District of Columbia at $72,950.
| Percentile | Annual salary |
|---|---|
| 10th percentile | $34,600 |
| 25th percentile | $40,240 |
| Median (50th) | $48,880 |
| 75th percentile | $61,520 |
| 90th percentile | $76,130 |
Dispatcher Salary by State
Median annual salary across all 50 states. Click a column to sort.
| State | Median salary |
|---|---|
| District of Columbiatop | $72,950 |
| Illinois | $62,280 |
| Washington | $57,950 |
| North Dakota | $57,940 |
| Alaska | $57,830 |
| Minnesota | $56,940 |
| Massachusetts | $54,790 |
| Vermont | $54,550 |
| New Jersey | $52,690 |
| Colorado | $52,600 |
| New Hampshire | $52,100 |
| New York | $51,940 |
| Connecticut | $51,940 |
| Iowa | $50,970 |
| Maine | $50,920 |
| Maryland | $50,550 |
| California | $50,040 |
| Missouri | $50,030 |
| Wisconsin | $49,770 |
| Utah | $49,660 |
| Oregon | $49,190 |
| Hawaii | $49,180 |
| Nebraska | $49,150 |
| Ohio | $49,050 |
| Kentucky | $48,530 |
| Indiana | $48,460 |
| Georgia | $48,310 |
| Pennsylvania | $48,210 |
| Delaware | $48,090 |
| Tennessee | $48,070 |
| Michigan | $47,980 |
| Arkansas | $47,660 |
| North Carolina | $47,180 |
| Rhode Island | $47,130 |
| West Virginia | $47,090 |
| Virginia | $46,890 |
| Arizona | $46,710 |
| Montana | $46,420 |
| Mississippi | $46,240 |
| Alabama | $46,130 |
| Texas | $45,880 |
| Kansas | $45,800 |
| Nevada | $45,480 |
| Louisiana | $45,460 |
| Wyoming | $45,130 |
| South Carolina | $44,710 |
| Oklahoma | $44,490 |
| South Dakota | $44,120 |
| Idaho | $43,110 |
| Florida | $42,320 |
| New Mexico | $42,020 |
Highest-Paying Metros for Dispatchers
Dispatcher Salary by Experience
Estimated salary ranges derived from BLS wage percentiles. Entry level corresponds to P10–P25, mid-career to the median, experienced to P75, and senior to P90+.
| Experience level | Estimated salary |
|---|---|
| Entry level (0–2 yrs) | ~$34,600 – $40,240 |
| Mid career (3–7 yrs) | ~$48,880 |
| Experienced (8–15 yrs) | ~$61,520 |
| Senior (15+ yrs) | $76,130+ |
How to Earn More as a Dispatcher
Location is the single biggest salary lever: Dispatchers in District of Columbia earn $72,950 — $24,070 above the national median. Union membership, additional certifications, and supervisory experience are the most reliable paths to higher earnings in this field. Reaching the 75th percentile ($61,520) typically requires 5–10 years of experience plus specialization in a high-demand area.
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Dispatcher Salary vs Similar Careers
| Career | Median salary |
|---|---|
| Dispatcherthis career | $48,880 |
| Transportation, Storage, and Distribution Manager | $102,010 |
| Postmasters and Mail Superintendent | $92,730 |
| Office and Administrative Support Worker Supervisor | $66,140 |
| Switchboard Operators, Including Answering Service | $38,370 |
Find out where you stand — free in 2 minutes
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SOC: 43-5032.00 · Data: BLS OEWS 2026, O*NET 29.1 · Salary figures are national medians unless otherwise noted.