California Median
$80,120
per year
Hourly Rate
$38.52
based on 2,080 hrs/yr
vs National
+51% vs US median
US median $53,040
State Rank
#1 of 51
8,520 employed here
How much does a Public Safety Telecommunicator make in California?
A Public Safety Telecommunicator working in California earns a median salary of $80,120 per year, or about $38.52 per hour. That is 51% above the national median of $53,040 for this occupation.
Within California, entry-level pay starts around $49,350 while the top 10% make $108,650 or more. The middle 50% of earners fall between $64,250 and $96,660 a year.
Public Safety Telecommunicator salary range in California
| Pay level | Annual salary | Hourly rate | |
|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $49,350 | $23.73 |
|
| 25th percentile (early career) | $64,250 | $30.89 |
|
| 50th percentile (median) | $80,120 | $38.52 |
|
| 75th percentile (experienced) | $96,660 | $46.47 |
|
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $108,650 | $52.24 |
|
How California compares
California ranks 1st out of 51 states and territories for Public Safety Telecommunicator pay. The top 5 best-paying states:
Public Safety Telecommunicator salary in other states
Washington $78,850Oregon $71,980Alaska $66,660Minnesota $66,550Colorado $63,520Connecticut $62,410Massachusetts $61,720New York $61,450Illinois $61,260Nevada $60,040Wisconsin $60,000North Dakota $59,940Vermont $59,470New Jersey $59,240District of Columbia $59,080Maryland $58,910Rhode Island $58,310New Hampshire $58,240Ohio $58,100Maine $57,250Hawaii $57,020Iowa $56,770Arizona $56,600Utah $54,120Michigan $53,310Delaware $53,140Idaho $51,780Wyoming $50,600Virginia $50,490Nebraska $50,270Florida $50,170Texas $50,040Pennsylvania $49,890New Mexico $49,060Indiana $49,050South Dakota $47,900Montana $47,640Missouri $46,990North Carolina $46,550Tennessee $46,390Kentucky $45,670Kansas $45,110South Carolina $43,540Georgia $42,790West Virginia $40,490Oklahoma $39,890Alabama $38,960Louisiana $38,550Arkansas $38,240Mississippi $34,510
Working as a Public Safety Telecommunicator in California
Nationally, about 103,000 people work as Public Safety Telecommunicators in the United States. A high school diploma is typically enough, with most skills learned on the job.
Considering a move? Compare California pay ($80,120) 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 does a Public Safety Telecommunicator make in California?
The median Public Safety Telecommunicator salary in California is $80,120 per year, or about $38.52 per hour, per official BLS state wage estimates. Salaries typically range from $49,350 at the entry level to $108,650 for the top 10% of earners.
How does California pay compare to the national average?
California pays Public Safety Telecommunicators about 51% more than the national median of $53,040. California ranks 1st out of 51 states and territories reporting this occupation.
Is California a good state for Public Safety Telecommunicators?
Yes on pay — California pays above the national median for this occupation, at $80,120 a year. About 8,520 Public Safety Telecommunicators 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 Public Safety Telecommunicator 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.