With a population of nearly 29 million and home to one of the fastest-growing counties in the U.S. (Dallas County), it’s easy to see why Texas is a hot spot for 911 operator jobs. And stats from the Texas Workforce Commission confirm this. In 2016, there were 7,650 dispatchers working in Texas; by 2026, this number is projected to grow to 8,940 – an increase of 17%.
911 operators in Texas earn a median salary of $37,470, while the top 10% earn $52,390.
Salaries at the Agencies that Employ 911 Operators in Texas
The Commission on State Emergency Communications (CSEC) oversees the state’s 911 system, which includes 53 emergency communications districts (ECD) and municipal emergency communication districts.
Most metro areas of Texas are managed by an ECD, although in Dallas County, 911 services are divided among 16 municipal emergency communication districts.
Austin-Round Rock includes:
- Capital Area Emergency Communications District
- 10th percentile: $14.83/$30,840
- Median: $19.79/$41,150
- 90th percentile: $27.10/$56,360
Dallas-Fort Worth-Arlington includes:
- Tarrant Co. 911 District
- Municipal Emergency Communications Districts, including:
- Addison
- Cedar Hill
- Coppell
- Dallas
- De Soto
- Duncanville
- Farmers Branch
- Garland
- Glenn Heights
- Highland Park
- Hutchins
- Kilgore
- Lancaster
- Richardson
- Rowlett
- University Park
- 10th percentile: $15.14/$31,500
- Median: $20.26/$42,130
- 90th percentile: $27.70/$57,620
Houston-The Woodlands-Sugar Land includes:
- Greater Harris County 9-1-1 Emergency Network
- Montgomery Co. Emergency Communications District
- 10th percentile: $14.38/$29,910
- Median: $19.73/$41,040
- 90th percentile: $26.84/$55,830
San Antonio-New Braunfels includes:
- Bexar Metro 911 Network District
- 10th percentile: $15.25/$31,720
- Median: $18.65/$38,780
- 90th percentile: $24.70/$51,380
Examining 911 Dispatcher Salaries and Employment in Texas by Metro Area
Median salaries in Texas range from a low of $28,490 in the Brownville-Harlingen metro area to a high of $42,130 in the Dallas-Fort Worth-Arlington metro area. The top 10% also earn the most in the Dallas-Fort Worth-Arlington area, at $57,620, although 911 dispatchers in the Houston-the Woodlands-Sugar Land area are close behind, at $55,830.
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_tx.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 Texas Workforce Commission 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.