The 9.2 percent growth rate the Michigan Bureau of Labor Market Information and Strategic Initiatives expects for 911 operator jobs between 2016 and 2026 is a full percentage point above the national forecast. Between the new positions being created and turnover in existing jobs, 240 openings a year throughout the state.
The median salary for those jobs, according to 2018 data from the Bureau of Labor Statistics, is slightly over the national median, coming in at $42,760 ($20.56/hr). Those in the 90thpercentile bring in $56,920 ($27.36/hr).
Salaries at the Agencies Employing 911 Dispatchers in Michigan
The demands of implementing next generation 911 service is much of what is driving the demand for dispatchers throughout the state of Michigan, as laid out in a 2017 roadmap by the State 911 Committee. Naturally, a lot of that demand is in Michigan’s biggest metro area.
Detroit-Warren-Dearborn – Includes:
- South Downriver Communications Center
- Canton Department Of Public Safety
- Detroit Emergency Telephone District
- Plymouth Community Communications Center
- Macomb County Sheriff’s Office
- South East Regional Emergency Services Authority
- Oakland County Sheriff
- Royal Oak Police Department
- 10th percentile: $14.94/hr / $31,070
- Median: $20.91/hr / $43,500
- 90th percentile: $28.48/hr / $59,250
The Detroit area remains a patchwork of PSAPs despite consolidation that has seen collaborative centers such as the South Downriver Communication Center and SERESA take over consolidated services for a number of cities in the area. Wayne County has divided up services between Downriver, Detroit, and the Conferences of Eastern and Western Wayne, while Oakland county remains split into 13 different dispatch centers.
Grand Rapids-Wyoming – Includes:
- Grand Rapids Communications Centers
- Kent County Communications Center
- 10th percentile: $13.10/hr / $27,260
- Median: $20.97/hr / $43,620
- 90th percentile: $28.29/hr / $58,840
Both the city of Grand Rapids and Kent County 911 centers serve under the overall direction of the Kent County Dispatch Authority, which in total manages 38 police and fire services in the county and 3 area ambulance companies.
Flint – Includes:
- Genesee County 9-1-1 Authority
- Lapeer County Central Dispatch
- 10th percentile: $12.77/hr / $26,550
- Median: $20.34/hr / $42,300
- 90th percentile: $24.59/hr / $51,150
Flint Fire, Police, and EMS are now dispatched by Genesee County’s 911 Consortium, which also handles 26 other police agencies, 19 other fire departments, and 6 other EMS services in the county.
Upper Peninsula nonmetropolitan area – Includes:
- Chippewa County Central Dispatch
- Negaunee Regional Communications Center
- 10th percentile: $13.81/hr / $28,730
- Median: $18.98/hr / $39,470
- 90th percentile: $24.90/hr / $51,800
The Upper Peninsula 911 Authority is the legal entity created to coordinate and offer services to all 15 Upper Peninsula counties for call answering and service dispatch. Chippewa County Central Dispatch consolidates 911 services agencies in Chippewa, Luce, and Mackinac counties, consisting of 26 law enforcement, 21 EMS, and 32 fire departments, while MSP’s NRCC manages all MSP, local LE, EMS, and fire services for Baraga, Houghton, Keweenaw, Ontonagon, and Schoolcraft counties.
A Full Breakdown of 911 Dispatcher Salaries Across Michigan
Most Michigan dispatchers make right around or slightly above the national average, in the mid to low $40,000 range. Dispatchers in Ann Arbor, however, come out at the top with a median of $49,110 ($23.61/hr), and can make as much as $64,130 ($30.83/hr) in the top ten percent.
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_mi.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 Michigan Bureau of Labor Market Information and Strategic Initiatives 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.