District of Columbia Median
$59,080
per year
Hourly Rate
$28.40
based on 2,080 hrs/yr
vs National
+11% vs US median
US median $53,040
State Rank
#16 of 51
60 employed here
How much does a Public Safety Telecommunicator make in District of Columbia?
Public Safety Telecommunicators in District of Columbia take home a median of $59,080 annually — roughly $28.40 an hour — which runs 11% above the national median of $53,040.
Within District of Columbia, entry-level pay starts around $44,480 while the top 10% make $67,540 or more. The middle 50% of earners fall between $50,650 and $64,940 a year.
Public Safety Telecommunicator salary range in District of Columbia
| Pay level | Annual salary | Hourly rate | |
|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $44,480 | $21.38 |
|
| 25th percentile (early career) | $50,650 | $24.35 |
|
| 50th percentile (median) | $59,080 | $28.40 |
|
| 75th percentile (experienced) | $64,940 | $31.22 |
|
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $67,540 | $32.47 |
|
How District of Columbia compares
District of Columbia ranks 16th out of 51 states and territories for Public Safety Telecommunicator pay. The top 5 best-paying states:
Public Safety Telecommunicator salary in other states
California $80,120Washington $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 $59,240Maryland $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 District of Columbia
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 District of Columbia pay ($59,080) 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 District of Columbia?
The median Public Safety Telecommunicator salary in District of Columbia is $59,080 per year, or about $28.40 per hour, per official BLS state wage estimates. Salaries typically range from $44,480 at the entry level to $67,540 for the top 10% of earners.
How does District of Columbia pay compare to the national average?
District of Columbia pays Public Safety Telecommunicators about 11% more than the national median of $53,040. District of Columbia ranks 16th out of 51 states and territories reporting this occupation.
Is District of Columbia a good state for Public Safety Telecommunicators?
Yes on pay — District of Columbia pays above the national median for this occupation, at $59,080 a year. About 60 Public Safety Telecommunicators are employed in District of Columbia. Weigh that against local housing and living costs before moving.
What are the highest-paying jobs in District of Columbia?
The highest-paying occupations in District of Columbia include Neurologist ($332,000), Emergency Medicine Physician ($318,200), Podiatrist ($265,740), 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.