Anchored by Portland, a national leader for its booming economy and job growth, Oregon is a prime location for 911 operators.
Between 2017 and 2018, Oregon added 54,200 new residents, bringing the state’s population to about 4.2 million. This was the fourth, consecutive year that the state’s population grew by more than 50,000. So, it comes as no surprise that the job market for 911 operators is strong.
According to the Oregon Labor Market Information System, there were 880 911 operators in Oregon in 2016. By 2026, the demand for these professionals is projected to increase by 8%, to 950 dispatchers.
The median annual salary for 911 operators is $55,790/$26.82 here, which is about $15,000 above the national average. The top 10% here earn an impressive $76,240.
Agencies and Jurisdictions Employing Dispatchers in Oregon
Oregon’s 9-1-1 Program oversees the emergency communications program, which includes the 43 PSAPs throughout the state’s 36 counties.
Salaries for 911 dispatchers are fairly consistent throughout the state, although the top 10% earn the highest salary in the Portland metro area, at $79,150. This metro area is also home to the largest number of 911 dispatchers, at 420 – that’s more than two times as many as Salem, which is home to 170 dispatchers.
Portland-Vancouver-Hillsboro, OR-WA includes:
- Portland – Bureau Of Emergency Communications
- Port of Portland
- Northern Command Center
- 10th percentile: $19.41/$40,370
- Median: $28.57/$59,430
- 90th percentile: $38.05/$79,150
Salem includes:
- Marion Police Department
- Willamette Valley Communications Center
- 10th percentile: $20.74/$43,140
- Median: $28.48/$59,240
- 90th percentile: $36.79/$76,520
Eugene includes:
- Oregon State Police-Springfield
- Central Lane Communications
- 10th percentile: $21.31/$44,320
- Median: $28.23/$58,730
- 90th percentile: $36.22/$75,330
Oregon’s 911 Operators: What They Earn and Where
The median salaries for 911 dispatchers in Oregon are quite varied, with the top earners found in Medford, at $66,270, and the lowest earners in Albany, at $51,590 – nearly $15,000 less.
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_or.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 Oregon Labor Market Information System 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.