Salaries for 911 Operators in New Hampshire

It’s one of the safest states in the nation, and certainly one of the smallest, but that doesn’t mean 911 operators aren’t needed or valued here. For example, with a senior population of more than 121,000 (over 60), 911 operators are needed to ensure that emergency services, including ambulance services, are dispatched in a quick and efficient manner.

With the median salary here well above the national average – $45,190 vs. $40,660, New Hampshire is also a great place to make a living as a 911 dispatcher. Even more impressive is that the top 10% here earn $59,740.

According to the New Hampshire Employment Security, there were 760 911 operators in New Hampshire in 2016; by 2026, this number is projected to increase by 8% to 820.

Agencies and Jurisdictions Employing Dispatchers in New Hampshire

A total of about 200 dispatchers work through the state’s three largest metropolitan areas, providing dispatch services for police, ambulance, and fire first responders. New Hampshire’s 911 system is quite different than the rest of the country. Here, all 911 calls are centralized to one PSAP in Concord and then dispatched to more than a dozen centers throughout the state. The Concord PSAP receives more than 2,000 911 calls daily.

Portsmouth, NH-ME

The Portsmouth metropolitan area is home to the largest number of 911 dispatchers in New Hampshire, at 90, largely due to the larger size of this area – about 264 square miles.

The Rockingham County Sheriff’s Department receives the 911 calls from the Concord PSAP in the Portsmouth metropolitan area.

  • 10th percentile: $31,330/$15.06
  • Median: $44,130/$21.22
  • 90th percentile: $58,610/$28.18

New Hampshire’s 911 Dispatchers, Employment and Salary by Metro Area

The median salaries for 911 dispatchers throughout New Hampshire are consistently higher than the national average of $40,660. In Dover, you’ll earn a median salary of $40,860, while in Manchester, you’ll earn a median salary of $49,760, which not only exceeds the national average but also far exceeds both Dover and the state average.

Area Name
Employment
Hourly 25th percentile wage
Dover-Durham
50
17.54
Manchester
60
20.65
Portsmouth
90
17.64

Salary and employment data compiled by the United States Department of Labor’s Bureau of Labor Statistics in May of 2018. Figures represent accumulated data for all areas of employment for emergency services dispatchers https://www.bls.gov/oes/current/oes_nh.htm#43-5031. BLS salary data represents state and MSA (Metropolitan Statistical Area) average and median earnings for the occupations listed and includes workers at all levels of education and experience. This data does not represent starting salaries. Employment conditions in your area may vary.

Job growth projections sourced from the New Hampshire Employment Security and published in the U.S. Department of Labor-funded Long Term Occupational Projections (2016-2026) database – https://projectionscentral.com/Projections/LongTerm

All salary and job growth data accessed in June 2019.

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