Oklahoma’s largest cities continue to enjoy record population growth, prompting the need for increasing numbers of 911 operators. For example, the Oklahoma City metro area continued its seven-year streak of large population increases in 2017, gaining 11,274 residents between 2016 and 2017.
Reflecting this growth, the Oklahoma Wage Network reported a total of 2,000 911 dispatchers in the state in 2016; by 2026, this number is projected to increase to 2,250 – an increase of 12.5%.
The median annual salary for 911 operators here is $29,900/$14.38, with the top 10% earning $46,410.
Agencies and Jurisdictions Employing Dispatchers in Oklahoma
Oklahoma’s 9-1-1 Management Authority oversees the state’s 132 PSAPs and works to improve the efficiency and effectiveness of the emergency communications system.
911 operators in the Oklahoma City metro area enjoy a median, annual salary of $37,440, which is about $8,000 more than the state average and about $9,000 more than their counterparts in the Tulsa metro area. Similarly, those in the top 10% in the Oklahoma City metro area earn $56,440 – that’s about $10,000 more than the state average and $16,000 more than the top 10% in Tulsa.
There are 420 911 dispatches working in Oklahoma City – twice the number of dispatchers working in Tulsa.
Oklahoma City includes:
- University Of Oklahoma Police Department
- Edmond Central Communications
- Oklahoma University Health Sciences Center Police Department
- Oklahoma County Sheriff’s Office
- Oklahoma City Police Department
- 10th percentile: $12.39/$25,770
- Median: $18.00/$37,440
- 90th percentile: $27.13/$56,440
Tulsa includes:
- Tulsa Public Safety Response Center-county
- Osage County Enhanced 9-1-1
- 10th percentile: $9.45/$19,650
- Median: $13.77/$28,640
- 90th percentile: $19.24/$40,010
A Closer Look at 911 Operator Salaries in Oklahoma’s Metro Areas
911 operators in the Oklahoma City metro area earn a median salary of $37,440 – that’s about $7,000 more than the state average and nearly $9,000 more than 911 operators in the Tulsa metro area.
Salary and employment data compiled by the United States Department of Labor’s Bureau of Labor Statistics in May of 2018. Figures represent accumulated data for all areas of employment for emergency services dispatchers https://www.bls.gov/oes/current/oes_ok.htm#43-5031. BLS salary data represents state and MSA (Metropolitan Statistical Area) average and median earnings for the occupations listed and includes workers at all levels of education and experience. This data does not represent starting salaries. Employment conditions in your area may vary.
Job growth projections sourced from the Oklahoma Wage Network and published in the U.S. Department of Labor-funded Long Term Occupational Projections (2016-2026) database – https://projectionscentral.com/Projections/LongTerm.
All salary and job growth data accessed in June 2019.