An influx of new residents translates into excellent job opportunities for 911 operators in South Carolina. Since 2010, the state added 458,746 residents. And between July 2017 and July 2018, the Palmetto State grew by another 62,908 residents, raising the state population to about 5 million. What’s even more impressive is that the majority of gains – 89 percent – came from residents relocating from other states.
Projections for 911 operators reflect this growth. For example, according to the South Carolina Department of Employment and Workforce, there were 1,480 911 dispatchers in South Carolina in 2016. By 2026, this number is projected to increase by 8.8% to 1,610.
911 operators in South Carolina earn an average, median salary of $15.32/$31,860, while those in the top 10% earn $42,080.
Agencies and Jurisdictions Employing Dispatchers in South Carolina
The South Carolina Revenue and Fiscal Affairs Office oversees the state’s 911 system, which includes PSAPs for the state’s 50 local jurisdictions (all 46 counties and the 4 municipalities of Clemson City, Goose Creek, Summerville, and Hanahan).
The Greenville-Anderson-Mauldin metro area comes out on top for its number of 911 operators (290), although the Charleston-North Charleston and Columbia metro areas come in close behind, with 260 and 240 dispatchers, respectively.
The Charleston-North Charleston metro area is the leader for its median, annual salary for 911 operators, at $36,130, which is about $5,000 more than the state average.
Charleston-North Charleston
All 911 calls in the Charleston-North Charleston metro area are received by the Charleston County Consolidated 9-1-1 Center.
- 10th percentile: $13.94/$28,990
- Median: $17.37/$36,130
- 90th percentile: $22.27/$46,310
Columbia
All 911 calls in the Columbia metro area are received by the Columbia-Richland 9-1-1 Communications Center.
- 10th percentile: $11.24/$23,370
- Median: $14.14/$29,410
- 90th percentile: $21.02/$43,720
Greenville-Anderson-Mauldin includes:
All 911 calls in the Greenville-Anderson-Mauldin metro area are received by the Greenville County EMS Communication Center.
- 10th percentile: $13.08/$27,200
- Median: $15.84/$32,960
- 90th percentile: $20.00/$41,610
Salary and Employment Statistics for 911 Operators in South Carolina by Metro Area
From the large Greenville-Anderson-Mauldin metro area to the smaller metro area of Florence, 911 operator jobs can be found throughout South Carolina. 911 dispatchers in the Hilton Head-Bluffton-Beaufort metro area are the highest earners among South Carolina’s metro areas, with a median salary of $37,060 and a 90thpercentile salary of $51,950.
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_sc.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 South Carolina Department of Employment and Workforce 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.