Public Safety Telecommunicator Salary in 2026
How Much Do Public Safety Telecommunicators Make?
Public Safety Telecommunicators earn a median annual salary of $50,730 as of 2026, based on BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) data. Wages span from $35,640 at the 10th percentile to $78,110 at the 90th percentile — a range of $42,470. The highest-paying state is California at $78,210.
| Percentile | Annual salary |
|---|---|
| 10th percentile | $35,640 |
| 25th percentile | $42,140 |
| Median (50th) | $50,730 |
| 75th percentile | $62,840 |
| 90th percentile | $78,110 |
Public Safety Telecommunicator Salary by State
Median annual salary across all 50 states. Click a column to sort.
| State | Median salary |
|---|---|
| Californiatop | $78,210 |
| Washington | $77,310 |
| Oregon | $70,690 |
| Minnesota | $64,920 |
| Alaska | $63,390 |
| Connecticut | $63,210 |
| Colorado | $62,460 |
| Illinois | $59,860 |
| New York | $59,440 |
| Massachusetts | $59,310 |
| New Jersey | $58,760 |
| Ohio | $56,770 |
| Maryland | $56,760 |
| District of Columbia | $56,710 |
| Vermont | $55,330 |
| Hawaii | $54,790 |
| Rhode Island | $54,540 |
| Wisconsin | $54,340 |
| Arizona | $54,270 |
| New Hampshire | $53,850 |
| North Dakota | $52,770 |
| Maine | $52,620 |
| Delaware | $52,450 |
| Iowa | $52,380 |
| Nevada | $51,760 |
| Utah | $51,760 |
| Idaho | $51,090 |
| Pennsylvania | $49,330 |
| Michigan | $49,320 |
| Florida | $48,860 |
| Nebraska | $48,660 |
| New Mexico | $48,560 |
| Virginia | $48,450 |
| Montana | $48,440 |
| Texas | $48,410 |
| Indiana | $48,200 |
| Wyoming | $47,150 |
| Tennessee | $45,730 |
| South Dakota | $45,180 |
| North Carolina | $44,370 |
| Missouri | $43,840 |
| Kansas | $40,680 |
| Georgia | $40,500 |
| South Carolina | $40,140 |
| Kentucky | $40,000 |
| Louisiana | $38,830 |
| West Virginia | $38,650 |
| Alabama | $38,540 |
| Arkansas | $37,140 |
| Oklahoma | $37,000 |
| Mississippi | $33,280 |
Highest-Paying Metros for Public Safety Telecommunicators
Public Safety Telecommunicator 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) | ~$35,640 – $42,140 |
| Mid career (3–7 yrs) | ~$50,730 |
| Experienced (8–15 yrs) | ~$62,840 |
| Senior (15+ yrs) | $78,110+ |
How to Earn More as a Public Safety Telecommunicator
Location is the single biggest salary lever: Public Safety Telecommunicators in San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA earn $125,310 — $74,580 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 ($62,840) typically requires 5–10 years of experience plus specialization in a high-demand area.
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Public Safety Telecommunicator Salary vs Similar Careers
| Career | Median salary |
|---|---|
| Public Safety Telecommunicatorthis career | $50,730 |
| Security Manager | $104,690 |
| Emergency Management Director | $86,130 |
| Security Management Specialist | $81,270 |
| Police and Detective Supervisor | $105,980 |
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SOC: 43-5031.00 · Data: BLS OEWS 2026, O*NET 29.1 · Salary figures are national medians unless otherwise noted.