Public Safety Telecommunicators – A Rewarding Career with High Wages
August 08, 2025One potentially under-represented occupation that is less seen yet is highly important for our communities is public safety telecommunicators, also known as 911 Operators.
For those considering a first-time career they can move into quickly, as well as those considering a new one, if you’re looking for rewarding, challenging, and well-paid work, employment as a public safety telecommunicator, our first first-responder, could be a great opportunity.
Ready, Set, Go
Public Safety Telecommunicators (PSTs) provide an invaluable and instrumental role within the workforce. They are responsible for quickly receiving emergency calls from the public in response to medical emergencies and communicating with ambulance and fire personnel while providing 24-hour service and support to our communities. They help many individuals in the most critical and time-sensitive moments of their lives.
PSTs receive many types of calls, such as criminal activity, acts of terrorism, fires, after–hours emergencies, and other public safety incidents. The dispatchers may route both non–emergency fire and police personnel, as well as ambulance services. Ben Postlewait, Operations Supervisor and PST for Clackamas County 911 says, “The rules are always changing, and you have to keep up to date and use your intuition. It’s important to think about what the responders need to know, which means learning how to ask the right questions.”
PSTs typically work 8- to 12- hour shifts in call centers known as Public Safety Answering Points (PSAPs), operating multiple computer screen stations while accessing sensitive databases and remaining on call lines with public and emergency response personnel. They relay instructions to both, while remaining calm, speaking clearly, and providing emotional support. “Public Safety Telecommunication is a demanding but rewarding occupation,” Ben says. “High emotional intelligence and resilience is needed to make quick and accurate judgment calls while collaborating with others. There are hundreds of calls a day. Some are fire and some law (police) dispatch. You have to find the important things of what’s happening and translate that for the firefighters and police.”
Wages – High for the Nation
The wages for public safety telecommunicators in Oregon are among the highest in the country according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), ranking third in 2024 at a mean rate of $34.30 per hour. The occupation’s wages have continued to grow, and Oregon’s state average is now $35.04 hourly.
Most Jobs Are in Local Government
Just over 1000 PST's were employed in Oregon in 2023. They work in multiple industries, including state government, ambulance services, educational services, and hospitals. In 2023, 80% nationwide were employed in local government, excluding education and hospitals.
This occupation is expected to increase 7.9%, corresponding to Oregon’s statewide average growth rate through 2033 for all occupations. Over the next decade we project 1,222 openings across the state. Annually, eight new openings are projected due to job growth. There is also projected to be an annual increase of 114 replacement positions. A replacement opening is a job opening caused by an existing worker leaving an occupation.
The Buck Stops Here
Training to become a PST is typically held at the local and state agency levels and varies depending on the agency. There are programs that have both classroom and on the job training. A significant portion of training can involve being on the job taking live calls while being helped by a certified trainer. When describing the program through Clackamas County, Ben said, “There are a couple months of classroom training and then after this daily observation reporting during the on the floor portion of the training, and ride-alongs with police officers or firefighters. There’s a lot of learning about geography, names of roads, major landmarks and how streets are numbered. There’s continual education every month to keep current on First Aid, CPR, certified access to law enforcement and DMV information, as well as confidentiality and other trainings.” PSTs participate in regular ongoing trainings, as rules and policies can change quickly within the industry. Agencies such as the Association of Public-Safety Communications Officials and the National Emergency Number Association can be referenced for training standards. PSTs can also obtain other certifications, which can be found through these agencies.
Where to Go
Public safety telecommunicators have both rewarding and highly important work within our communities. They are our first first responders to the scene, connecting the public to the ambulance and fire personnel on their way to help. The outlook for this occupation is good; wages in Oregon are high for the nation and employment is expected to increase 7.9% through 2032, with eight new annual job openings due to occupation growth and 114 annual replacement positions due to those leaving the occupation, retiring, or moving to another position. High emotional intelligence and resilience is needed to make quick and accurate judgment calls. PSTs also have to remain calm, speak clearly, and provide emotional support, while identifying the information needing to be relayed to personnel on their way to the scene. The work can be demanding but is worth it. “There’s a team element, family bond,” Ben says. “It’s about service to the public.” If you’re looking for a career to move into quickly that’s rewarding, challenging, fast-paced, and critical to our communities, then being a public safety telecommunicator could be what you’re looking for.