Georgia’s Department of Labor predicts a better than average 11.5 percent growth rate for 911 dispatching jobs over the decade between 2016 and 2026. Through a combination of new positions and turnover, that will result in about 360 new openings each year across the state.
According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, Georgia dispatchers can expect a median income of $32,090, or around $15.43 per hour. Those in the top ten percent make $44,270 ($21.28/hr).
Salaries at the Agencies Employing 911 Dispatchers in Georgia
Georgia is peppered with small counties—at 159, it has twice as many as neighboring Florida, with similar land area and half the population—which makes for a patchwork of jurisdictions and many separate dispatch centers. Consolidation is beginning in heavily urbanized regions like Atlanta and Fulton County, but the bulk of Georgia dispatchers are employed in nonmetropolitan areas.
Atlanta-Sandy Springs-Roswell – Includes:
- City Of Atlanta 911 Center
- Fulton County Emergency Communications
- Smyrna 9-1-1 Communications Center
- Cobb County E9-1-1
- 10th percentile: $13.01/hr / $23,160
- Median: $17.39/hr / $34,850
- 90th percentile: $23.22/hr / $48,300
The Fulton County Emergency Communications Center handles dispatch services for five different cities and the unincorporated area of the county, creating a mega-center that is part of why this region ranks 9thnationally for highest employment levels for dispatchers.
North Georgia nonmetropolitan area – Includes:
- Hall County 9-1-1
- Banks County E9-1-1
- Union County 9-1-1
- 10th percentile: $11.15/hr / $23,200
- Median: $13.86/hr / $28,830
- 90th percentile: $17.84/hr / $37,110
With the second heaviest concentration of dispatchers in the state, this area is largely served by county-level 911 centers that handle dispatch for the variety of small towns and often volunteer fire and EMS services in the region.
Augusta-Richmond County – Includes:
- Augusta-Richmond County 9-1-1
- Columbia County Sheriff E911
- 10th percentile: $10.00/hr / $20,800
- Median: $14.53/hr / $30,230
- 90th percentile: $14.53/hr / $39,910
The city of Augusta and Richmond county have combined their EMS, fire, and police dispatch into a single unified E911 center serving the entire region.
A Full Breakdown of Dispatcher Salaries Across Georgia
Most parts of the state, and most dispatching jobs there, tend to run below the national average for salary, but the Atlanta-Sandy Springs-Roswell area stands out as a region with not only the best salaries in Georgia at every level, but also where they exceed the national compensation numbers.
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_ga.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 Georgia 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.