California Median
$52,350
per year
Hourly Rate
$25.17
based on 2,080 hrs/yr
vs National
+4% vs US median
US median $50,340
State Rank
#18 of 51
23,970 employed here
How much do Dispatchers, Except Police, Fire, and Ambulance make in California?
Dispatchers, Except Police, Fire, and Ambulance in California take home a median of $52,350 annually — roughly $25.17 an hour — which runs 4% above the national median of $50,340.
Within California, entry-level pay starts around $39,520 while the top 10% make $81,070 or more. The middle 50% of earners fall between $46,120 and $63,160 a year.
Dispatchers, Except Police, Fire, and Ambulance salary range in California
| Pay level | Annual salary | Hourly rate | |
|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $39,520 | $19.00 |
|
| 25th percentile (early career) | $46,120 | $22.17 |
|
| 50th percentile (median) | $52,350 | $25.17 |
|
| 75th percentile (experienced) | $63,160 | $30.37 |
|
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $81,070 | $38.98 |
|
How California compares
California ranks 18th out of 51 states and territories for Dispatchers, Except Police, Fire, and Ambulance pay. The top 5 best-paying states:
Dispatchers, Except Police, Fire, and Ambulance salary in other states
District of Columbia $72,260Washington $59,330Minnesota $59,220North Dakota $57,580Illinois $57,240Delaware $57,170Alaska $56,730Vermont $56,360New York $55,810Massachusetts $55,690Maine $55,150Oregon $54,980New Jersey $54,590Colorado $54,070Nebraska $53,880New Hampshire $52,770Hawaii $52,570Wisconsin $52,350Missouri $51,410Maryland $51,350Utah $51,010Virginia $50,710Ohio $50,320Indiana $50,060Kentucky $49,990Pennsylvania $49,960Idaho $49,660Tennessee $49,660Michigan $49,490Rhode Island $49,320Georgia $49,180Alabama $48,790Wyoming $48,690North Carolina $48,230Connecticut $47,960Nevada $47,920Arizona $47,880South Carolina $47,550Texas $47,320Kansas $47,170Montana $47,140Arkansas $47,130Louisiana $47,050Iowa $47,000West Virginia $46,620Florida $45,880Mississippi $45,660Oklahoma $44,950New Mexico $43,960South Dakota $43,920
Working as Dispatchers, Except Police, Fire, and Ambulance in California
Nationally, about 203,000 people work as Dispatchers, Except Police, Fire, and Ambulance in the United States. A high school diploma is typically enough, with most skills learned on the job.
Considering a move? Compare California pay ($52,350) against the highest-paying state above, and weigh the difference against housing and everyday costs — a smaller paycheck in a cheaper state can stretch further.
Frequently asked questions
How much do Dispatchers, Except Police, Fire, and Ambulance make in California?
The median Dispatchers, Except Police, Fire, and Ambulance salary in California is $52,350 per year, or about $25.17 per hour, per official BLS state wage estimates. Salaries typically range from $39,520 at the entry level to $81,070 for the top 10% of earners.
How does California pay compare to the national average?
California pays Dispatchers, Except Police, Fire, and Ambulance about 4% more than the national median of $50,340. California ranks 18th out of 51 states and territories reporting this occupation.
Is California a good state for Dispatchers, Except Police, Fire, and Ambulance?
Yes on pay — California pays above the national median for this occupation, at $52,350 a year. About 23,970 Dispatchers, Except Police, Fire, and Ambulance are employed in California. Weigh that against local housing and living costs before moving.
What are the highest-paying jobs in California?
The highest-paying occupations in California include Ophthalmologist, Except Pediatric ($400,150), Neurologist ($357,080), Airline Pilots, Copilots, and Flight Engineers ($353,900), based on median annual pay in official BLS state estimates.
← See the national Dispatchers, Except Police, Fire, and Ambulance salary report
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Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), Unknown vintage. Education requirements: O*NET (U.S. Department of Labor). State figures are official BLS state-level wage estimates. Where BLS suppresses a state percentile, it is scaled from the official national distribution. Individual pay varies by employer, metro area, and experience.