North Carolina Median
$46,550
per year
Hourly Rate
$22.38
based on 2,080 hrs/yr
vs National
-12% vs US median
US median $53,040
State Rank
#40 of 51
3,730 employed here
How much does a Public Safety Telecommunicator make in North Carolina?
Public Safety Telecommunicators in North Carolina take home a median of $46,550 annually — roughly $22.38 an hour — which runs 12% below the national median of $53,040.
Within North Carolina, entry-level pay starts around $38,080 while the top 10% make $59,770 or more. The middle 50% of earners fall between $40,540 and $49,930 a year.
Public Safety Telecommunicator salary range in North Carolina
| Pay level | Annual salary | Hourly rate | |
|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $38,080 | $18.31 |
|
| 25th percentile (early career) | $40,540 | $19.49 |
|
| 50th percentile (median) | $46,550 | $22.38 |
|
| 75th percentile (experienced) | $49,930 | $24.00 |
|
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $59,770 | $28.74 |
|
How North Carolina compares
North Carolina ranks 40th 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 $59,240District 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 $46,990Tennessee $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 North Carolina
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 North Carolina pay ($46,550) 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 North Carolina?
The median Public Safety Telecommunicator salary in North Carolina is $46,550 per year, or about $22.38 per hour, per official BLS state wage estimates. Salaries typically range from $38,080 at the entry level to $59,770 for the top 10% of earners.
How does North Carolina pay compare to the national average?
North Carolina pays Public Safety Telecommunicators about 12% less than the national median of $53,040. North Carolina ranks 40th out of 51 states and territories reporting this occupation.
Is North Carolina a good state for Public Safety Telecommunicators?
Pay runs below the national median here, at $46,550 a year. About 3,730 Public Safety Telecommunicators are employed in North Carolina. A lower cost of living can offset the smaller paycheck, so compare take-home value, not just salary.
What are the highest-paying jobs in North Carolina?
The highest-paying occupations in North Carolina include Surgeon, All Other ($398,410), Dermatologist ($367,350), Emergency Medicine Physician ($339,350), based on median annual pay in official BLS state estimates.
← See the national Public Safety Telecommunicator salary report
Related salaries
$40,960
median pay · 25,000 employed
$39,280
median pay · 55,000 employed
$47,670
median pay · 37,000 employed
$44,770
median pay · 2,596,000 employed
$51,120
median pay · 5,000 employed
$47,540
median pay · 1,707,000 employed
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.