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Career Profile

Dispatchers, Except Police, Fire, and Ambulance

What they do:

Schedule and dispatch workers, work crews, equipment, or service vehicles for conveyance of materials, freight, or passengers, or for normal installation, service, or emergency repairs rendered outside the place of business. Duties may include using radio, telephone, or computer to transmit assignments and compiling statistics and reports on work progress.

Also Called:

Aircraft Dispatcher, Charter Coordinator, City Dispatcher, Dispatcher (Dispatch), Mine Dispatcher, Paratransit Dispatcher, School Bus Dispatcher, Taxi Dispatcher, Train Dispatcher, Truck Dispatcher, Aircraft Dispatcher, Charter Coordinator, City Dispatcher, Dispatcher (Dispatch), Mine Dispatcher, Paratransit Dispatcher, School Bus Dispatcher, Taxi Dispatcher, Train Dispatcher, Truck Dispatcher

Dallas-Fort Worth-Arlington, TX Employment Data

*State data provided by O*NET & BLS
Compare State Data      Compare Metro Area Data   
$33,360
Starting Salary (2025)
$48,030
Median Salary (2025)
-0.9%
Projected Job Growth
7,170
TX Employment (2025)

Typical Tasks

Schedule or dispatch workers, work crews, equipment, or service vehicles to appropriate locations, according to customer requests, specifications, or needs, using radios or telephones.
Advise personnel about traffic problems, such as construction areas, accidents, congestion, weather conditions, or other hazards.
Record and maintain files or records of customer requests, work or services performed, charges, expenses, inventory, or other dispatch information.
Prepare daily work and run schedules.
Relay work orders, messages, or information to or from work crews, supervisors, or field inspectors, using telephones or two-way radios.

A day in the life

What kind of work is this?

Conventional
Organized, Procedural Work
Realistic
Practical, Physical Work
Enterprising
Business based Work

What personality traits do you need to succeed?

Stress Tolerance
Attention to Detail
Dependability
Leadership
Cooperation
Integrity

What key skills are needed for this job?

Active Listening
Speaking
Monitoring
Coordination
Time Management
Reading Comprehension

Expected Knowledge

Customer and Personal Service

Knowledge of principles and processes for providing customer and personal services. This includes customer needs assessment, meeting quality standards for services, and evaluation of customer satisfaction.

Public Safety and Security

Knowledge of relevant equipment, policies, procedures, and strategies to promote effective local, state, or national security operations for the protection of people, data, property, and institutions.

Administration and Management

Knowledge of business and management principles involved in strategic planning, resource allocation, human resources modeling, leadership technique, production methods, and coordination of people and resources.

Common Activities

Getting Information

Observing, receiving, and otherwise obtaining information from all relevant sources.

Identifying Objects, Actions, and Events

Identifying information by categorizing, estimating, recognizing differences or similarities, and detecting changes in circumstances or events.

Working with Computers

Using computers and computer systems (including hardware and software) to program, write software, set up functions, enter data, or process information.

Education & Preparation

Some occupations may require additional education, advanced degrees, and years of experience in the field.
Talk to your support team on campus about this career pathway and additional degree information.
Job Zone 2

Some Preparation Needed

Education

These occupations usually require a high school diploma.

Experience

Some previous work-related skill, knowledge, or experience is usually needed.

Training

Employees in these occupations need anywhere from a few months to one year of working with experienced employees. A recognized apprenticeship program may be associated with these occupations.

Typical Education Required

Education a new hire may need

  • High school diploma 47%
  • Some college 26%
  • Associate's degree 8%
  • Post-secondary certificate 7%
  • Bachelor's degree 7%
  • Other 5%
Source: O*NET Education, Training & Experience data

Related Careers

First-Line Supervisors of Passenger Attendants
First-Line Supervisors of Material-Moving Machine and Vehicle Operators
First-Line Supervisors of Helpers, Laborers, and Material Movers, Hand
Public Safety Telecommunicators
Railroad Conductors and Yardmasters

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*Data on career profiles are based on information supplied by the O*NET Program, sponsored by U.S. Department of Labor, Employment, and Training Administration.