Public safety telecommunicators
SOC Code: 43-5031
Public safety telecommunicators carries a 52% AI exposure score (High automation risk), with a median annual wage of $50,730 and +3.5% projected employment growth from 2024 to 2034 (BLS), affecting approximately 105,200 workers. Full task breakdown, skills, and employer data are below.
Proportion of tasks susceptible to AI automation (O*NET analysis)
At 52% AI exposure, Public safety telecommunicators sits 15 points above the 37.2% average across 832 U.S. occupations - more exposed than 88% of them. Most of its core tasks still require human judgment.
Where Public safety telecommunicators sits among all occupations
AI-exposure score distribution across 832 U.S. occupations (O*NET task analysis). This occupation is marked in rose.
Public safety telecommunicators has ai exposure of 52%. Distribution: 1 occupations at 0-10%; 43 occupations at 10-20%; 184 occupations at 20-30%; 332 occupations at 30-40%; 158 occupations at 40-50%; 64 occupations at 50-60%; 29 occupations at 60-70%; 15 occupations at 70-80%; 5 occupations at 80-90%; 1 occupations at 90-100%.
Source: O*NET task data (U.S. Department of Labor); AI-exposure scores are PlainWorkforce's analysis. As of BLS 2024–2034.
Public safety telecommunicators vs. its occupational neighbors
AI exposure (horizontal) vs projected 2024–2034 growth (vertical) for occupations in the same SOC group. Public safety telecommunicators is marked in rose; the top-left corner is the most future-proof.
Source: BLS Employment Projections 2024–2034 (growth) and O*NET (AI-exposure analysis by PlainWorkforce).
Employment Projections
Occupation Insight
Public safety telecommunicators (SOC 43-5031) carries an AI exposure score of 52%, 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 105,200 workers in this occupation in 2024, and projects a +3.5% change through 2034 - modest growth that keeps the occupation viable even as tasks evolve. Median annual compensation stands at $50,730, 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 Public safety telecommunicators. 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. Provide emergency medical instructions to callers.
- 2. Question callers to determine their locations and the nature of their problems to determine type of response needed.
- 3. Determine response requirements and relative priorities of situations, and dispatch units in accordance with established procedures.
- 4. Receive incoming telephone or alarm system calls regarding emergency and non-emergency police and fire service, emergency ambulance service, information, and after-hours calls for departments within a city.
- 5. Relay information and messages to and from emergency sites, to law enforcement agencies, and to all other individuals or groups requiring notification.
- 6. Record details of calls, dispatches, and messages.
- 7. Monitor various radio frequencies, such as those used by public works departments, school security, and civil defense, to stay apprised of developing situations.
- 8. Read and effectively interpret small-scale maps and information from a computer screen to determine locations and provide directions.
- 9. Maintain access to, and security of, highly sensitive materials.
- 10. Operate and maintain mobile dispatch vehicles and equipment.
Key Skills Required
- Active Listening
- Speaking
- Social Perceptiveness
- Critical Thinking
- Coordination
- Service Orientation
- Reading Comprehension
- Judgment and Decision Making
- Complex Problem Solving
- Active Learning
Knowledge Areas
- Public Safety and Security
- Law and Government
- English Language
- Telecommunications
- Customer and Personal Service
- Geography
- Communications and Media
- Computers and Electronics
- Administrative
- Education and Training
Frequently Asked Questions
Will AI replace Public safety telecommunicators?
Public safety telecommunicators has an AI exposure score of 52%, 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 Public safety telecommunicators?
According to BLS Employment Projections 2024-2034, Public safety telecommunicators is projected to grow by 3.5% over the decade. Current employment stands at approximately 105,200 workers.
What skills are needed for Public safety telecommunicators?
Key skills for Public safety telecommunicators include Active Listening, Speaking, Social Perceptiveness, and others. Typical entry-level education is High school diploma or equivalent.
How much do Public safety telecommunicators earn?
The median annual wage for Public safety telecommunicators is $50,730, 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 Public safety telecommunicators?
The typical entry-level education for Public safety telecommunicators 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 Public safety telecommunicators?
Public safety telecommunicators 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.
Related Occupations
Career Guides
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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).