Washington Median
$78,850
per year
Hourly Rate
$37.91
based on 2,080 hrs/yr
vs National
+49% vs US median
US median $53,040
State Rank
#2 of 51
1,980 employed here
How much does a Public Safety Telecommunicator make in Washington?
Public Safety Telecommunicators in Washington take home a median of $78,850 annually — roughly $37.91 an hour — which runs 49% above the national median of $53,040.
Within Washington, entry-level pay starts around $56,920 while the top 10% make $96,130 or more. The middle 50% of earners fall between $66,500 and $84,640 a year.
Public Safety Telecommunicator salary range in Washington
| Pay level | Annual salary | Hourly rate | |
|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $56,920 | $27.37 |
|
| 25th percentile (early career) | $66,500 | $31.97 |
|
| 50th percentile (median) | $78,850 | $37.91 |
|
| 75th percentile (experienced) | $84,640 | $40.69 |
|
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $96,130 | $46.22 |
|
How Washington compares
Washington ranks 2nd 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 $80,120Oregon $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 Washington
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 Washington pay ($78,850) 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 Washington?
The median Public Safety Telecommunicator salary in Washington is $78,850 per year, or about $37.91 per hour, per official BLS state wage estimates. Salaries typically range from $56,920 at the entry level to $96,130 for the top 10% of earners.
How does Washington pay compare to the national average?
Washington pays Public Safety Telecommunicators about 49% more than the national median of $53,040. Washington ranks 2nd out of 51 states and territories reporting this occupation.
Is Washington a good state for Public Safety Telecommunicators?
Yes on pay — Washington pays above the national median for this occupation, at $78,850 a year. About 1,980 Public Safety Telecommunicators are employed in Washington. Weigh that against local housing and living costs before moving.
What are the highest-paying jobs in Washington?
The highest-paying occupations in Washington include Cardiologist ($656,330), Orthopedic Surgeon, Except Pediatric ($553,310), Dermatologist ($526,170), 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.