Dispatchers, except police, fire, and ambulance
SOC Code: 43-5032
Dispatchers, except police, fire, and ambulance carries a 42% AI exposure score (High automation risk), with a median annual wage of $48,880 and -0.9% projected employment growth from 2024 to 2034 (BLS), affecting approximately 218,700 workers. Full task breakdown, skills, and employer data are below.
Proportion of tasks susceptible to AI automation (O*NET analysis)
AI Exposure vs Industry Growth
Total occupations tracked
832
Covering all SOC major groups
Data currency
2024
BLS Employment Projections
AI exposure avg
40%
Fleet-wide median across all roles
Composite score weighing O*NET task data completeness, BLS projection methodology, and cross-validation with employer risk grades.
Employment Projections
Occupation Insight
Dispatchers, except police, fire, and ambulance (SOC 43-5032) carries an AI exposure score of 42%, placing it in the High automation-risk tier. This score is computed from O*NET Database 30.0 task-level analysis, where each task an occupation performs is evaluated against current generative AI, robotic process automation, and machine-learning capabilities. A score in the 40–70% range indicates meaningful automation pressure on specific task categories, but the role as a whole still requires human judgment for coordination, exception handling, or client interaction.
The economic context matters alongside the risk score. BLS counted approximately 218,700 workers in this occupation in 2024, and projects a -0.9% change through 2034 — a decline that often compounds with high AI exposure to create displacement headwinds. Median annual compensation stands at $48,880, reflecting both skill scarcity and the value employers place on the tasks that remain difficult to automate. Entry typically requires High school diploma or equivalent, plus None of related experience.
For career planners, this profile should be read alongside the task, skill, and knowledge breakdowns below and the list of employers whose workforce composition includes Dispatchers, except police, fire, and ambulance. Adjacent occupations shown further down offer lateral moves that preserve industry knowledge while potentially reducing exposure. Pair the AI exposure score with the BLS employment projection and wage percentiles above for a complete career assessment.
Education & Entry Requirements
Top Tasks (O*NET)
- 1. Schedule or dispatch workers, work crews, equipment, or service vehicles to appropriate locations, according to customer requests, specifications, or needs, using radios or telephones.
- 2. Prepare daily work and run schedules.
- 3. Confer with customers or supervising personnel to address questions, problems, or requests for service or equipment.
- 4. Relay work orders, messages, or information to or from work crews, supervisors, or field inspectors, using telephones or two-way radios.
- 5. Oversee all communications within specifically assigned territories.
- 6. Receive or prepare work orders.
- 7. Record and maintain files or records of customer requests, work or services performed, charges, expenses, inventory, or other dispatch information.
- 8. Arrange for necessary repairs to restore service and schedules.
- 9. Monitor personnel or equipment locations and utilization to coordinate service and schedules.
- 10. Determine types or amounts of equipment, vehicles, materials, or personnel required, according to work orders or specifications.
Key Skills Required
- Active Listening
- Speaking
- Monitoring
- Coordination
- Reading Comprehension
- Time Management
- Writing
- Critical Thinking
- Social Perceptiveness
- Service Orientation
Knowledge Areas
- Customer and Personal Service
- Public Safety and Security
- Administration and Management
- Administrative
- English Language
- Transportation
- Personnel and Human Resources
- Computers and Electronics
- Education and Training
- Psychology
Frequently Asked Questions
Will AI replace Dispatchers, except police, fire, and ambulance?
Dispatchers, except police, fire, and ambulance has an AI exposure score of 42%, indicating a high level of automation risk. Some tasks in this role can be augmented or partially automated by AI, but core responsibilities require human judgment.
What is the job outlook for Dispatchers, except police, fire, and ambulance?
According to BLS Employment Projections 2024-2034, Dispatchers, except police, fire, and ambulance is projected to decline by 0.9% over the decade. Current employment stands at approximately 218,700 workers.
What skills are needed for Dispatchers, except police, fire, and ambulance?
Key skills for Dispatchers, except police, fire, and ambulance include Active Listening, Speaking, Monitoring, and others. Typical entry-level education is High school diploma or equivalent.
How much do Dispatchers, except police, fire, and ambulance earn?
The median annual wage for Dispatchers, except police, fire, and ambulance is $48,880, according to BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (May 2024). Actual earnings vary by location, experience, industry, and employer. The BLS publishes detailed wage percentiles by region in its Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics program.
What education is required for Dispatchers, except police, fire, and ambulance?
The typical entry-level education for Dispatchers, except police, fire, and ambulance is High school diploma or equivalent. Employers generally expect None of related work experience. On-the-job training typically involves Moderate-term on-the-job training. Requirements can vary by employer and specialization.
Which companies employ Dispatchers, except police, fire, and ambulance?
Dispatchers, except police, fire, and ambulance roles exist across many industries and employers. Workforce composition is estimated from BLS industry-occupation employment distributions matched to SEC-registered public companies.
AI Exposure Rating
High automation risk based on 10 analyzed tasks. A moderate share of tasks may be augmented by AI tools.
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Data sources: Bureau of Labor Statistics Employment Projections 2024–2034 and O*NET Database 30.0. Employment figures are rounded. Wage data from BLS Occupational Employment Statistics (OES).