Salaries for 911 Operators in Oregon

Anchored by Portland, a national leader for its booming economy and job growth, Oregon is a prime location for 911 operators.

FIND SCHOOLS
Sponsored Content

Between 2017 and 2018, Oregon added 54,200 new residents, bringing the state’s population to about 4.2 million. This was the fourth, consecutive year that the state’s population grew by more than 50,000. So, it comes as no surprise that the job market for 911 operators is strong.

According to the Oregon Labor Market Information System, there were 880 911 operators in Oregon in 2016. By 2026, the demand for these professionals is projected to increase by 8%, to 950 dispatchers.

The median annual salary for 911 operators is $55,790/$26.82 here, which is about $15,000 above the national average. The top 10% here earn an impressive $76,240.

Agencies and Jurisdictions Employing Dispatchers in Oregon

Oregon’s 9-1-1 Program oversees the emergency communications program, which includes the 43 PSAPs throughout the state’s 36 counties.

Salaries for 911 dispatchers are fairly consistent throughout the state, although the top 10% earn the highest salary in the Portland metro area, at $79,150. This metro area is also home to the largest number of 911 dispatchers, at 420 – that’s more than two times as many as Salem, which is home to 170 dispatchers.

Portland-Vancouver-Hillsboro, OR-WA includes:

  • Portland – Bureau Of Emergency Communications
  • Port of Portland
  • Northern Command Center
    • 10th percentile: $19.41/$40,370
    • Median: $28.57/$59,430
    • 90th percentile: $38.05/$79,150

Salem includes:

  • Marion Police Department
  • Willamette Valley Communications Center
    • 10th percentile: $20.74/$43,140
    • Median: $28.48/$59,240
    • 90th percentile: $36.79/$76,520

Eugene includes:

  • Oregon State Police-Springfield
  • Central Lane Communications
    • 10th percentile: $21.31/$44,320
    • Median: $28.23/$58,730
    • 90th percentile: $36.22/$75,330
FIND SCHOOLS
Sponsored Content

Oregon’s 911 Operators: What They Earn and Where

The median salaries for 911 dispatchers in Oregon are quite varied, with the top earners found in Medford, at $66,270, and the lowest earners in Albany, at $51,590 – nearly $15,000 less.

Area Name
Employment
Hourly 75th percentile wage
Albany
40
28.96
Eugene
90
31.88
Medford
70
33.51
Portland-Vancouver-Hillsboro
420
34.44
Salem
170
32.66

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_or.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 Oregon Labor Market Information System 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.

Back to Top