Public Safety Telecommunicator Salary in Virginia (2026)

Official state-level BLS pay data for Public Safety Telecommunicators in Virginia, plus how it compares with the rest of the country.

Official BLS state wage data · Unknown vintage
Virginia Median
$50,490
per year
Hourly Rate
$24.27
based on 2,080 hrs/yr
vs National
-5% vs US median
US median $53,040
State Rank
#30 of 51
3,050 employed here

How much does a Public Safety Telecommunicator make in Virginia?

A Public Safety Telecommunicator working in Virginia earns a median salary of $50,490 per year, or about $24.27 per hour. That is 5% below the national median of $53,040 for this occupation.

Within Virginia, entry-level pay starts around $37,840 while the top 10% make $73,770 or more. The middle 50% of earners fall between $44,220 and $60,690 a year.

Public Safety Telecommunicator salary range in Virginia

Pay levelAnnual salaryHourly rate
10th percentile (entry level)$37,840$18.19
25th percentile (early career)$44,220$21.26
50th percentile (median)$50,490$24.27
75th percentile (experienced)$60,690$29.18
90th percentile (top earners)$73,770$35.47

How Virginia compares

Virginia ranks 30th out of 51 states and territories for Public Safety Telecommunicator pay. The top 5 best-paying states:

RankStateMedian salary
1California$80,120
2Washington$78,850
3Oregon$71,980
4Alaska$66,660
5Minnesota$66,550

Working as a Public Safety Telecommunicator in Virginia

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 Virginia pay ($50,490) 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 Virginia?
The median Public Safety Telecommunicator salary in Virginia is $50,490 per year, or about $24.27 per hour, per official BLS state wage estimates. Salaries typically range from $37,840 at the entry level to $73,770 for the top 10% of earners.
How does Virginia pay compare to the national average?
Virginia pays Public Safety Telecommunicators about 5% less than the national median of $53,040. Virginia ranks 30th out of 51 states and territories reporting this occupation.
Is Virginia a good state for Public Safety Telecommunicators?
Pay runs below the national median here, at $50,490 a year. About 3,050 Public Safety Telecommunicators are employed in Virginia. 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 Virginia?
The highest-paying occupations in Virginia include Anesthesiologist ($488,310), Orthopedic Surgeon, Except Pediatric ($478,710), Cardiologist ($461,450), 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.