According to the Connecticut Department of Labor, the number of jobs for emergency dispatchers is projected to grow by 6.5 percent between 2016 and 2026. That growth coupled with normal turnover will open up 120 jobs a year with a median annual wage of $55,470 ($26.67/hr) according to 2018 Bureau of Labor Statistics data.
That’s already about $10,000 more each year than the national median for this role, but for the top ten percent, it’s even better—$74,230 annually, or $35.69/hr. As highly qualified professionals who are required to pass the state’s rigorous Telecommunication Certification training, dispatchers here are well worth the high rate of pay.
Salaries at the Agencies Employing 911 Dispatchers in Connecticut
Dispatch centers throughout New England, including Connecticut, are often scattered into small cities and townships that can make coordinating emergency responses challenging. The state’s move to Next-Gen 911 services is expected to make life easier for operators in every jurisdiction.
Hartford-West Hartford-East Hartford – Includes:
- Hartford Emergency Communications Center
- East Hartford Police Department
- New Britain Public Safety Telecommunications Center
- West Hartford Emergency Reporting Center
- 10th percentile: $19.95/hr / $41,490
- Median: $27.73/hr / $57,670
- 90th percentile: $36.10/hr / $75,080
Hartford area dispatchers enjoy cutting-edge technological assistance in their jobs, with New Britain’s PSTC selected to pilot the new text-to-911 program for the state.
Bridgeport-Stamford-Norwalk – Includes:
- Stratford Emergency Communications Center
- Stamford Emergency Communications Center
- Newtown Emergency Communications Center
- Bridgeport Public Safety Communications Center
- 10th percentile: $20.60/hr / $42,840
- Median: $28.13/hr / $58,520
- 90th percentile: $37.95/hr / $78,940
Most towns in this region have consolidated police/fire/EMS services into a single dispatch center per city. However, many remain small, with the Newtown ECC staffing only two dispatchers per shift.
New Haven – Includes:
- Northwest Connecticut Public Safety Emergency Communications Center
- New Haven Emergency Communications Center
- North Haven Police Department
- 10th percentile: $16.66/hr / $34,640
- Median: $24.35/hr / $50,650
- 90th percentile: $30.81/hr / $64,090
The New Haven area is also characterized by many small, one or two agency PSAPs, although it also hosts the Northwest Connecticut PSECC, which covers a broad swath of territory surrounding Naugatuck.
911 Dispatcher Salaries Across The State of Connecticut
The highest salary in the state goes to the top ten percent of dispatchers in Danbury, who can make $87,720 per year. At the median level, however, Hartford-area dispatchers come out ahead with $57,670 annually.
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_ct.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 Connecticut Department of Labor 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.