Public Safety Telecommunicator salary in District of Columbia
Public Safety Telecommunicators in District of Columbia earn a median of $59,080 a year ($28.40 an hour), based on BLS data for 60 workers.
Pay ranges from $44,480 for the lowest-paid 10% to $67,540 for the top 10%. That is 11% higher than the national median of $53,040. District of Columbia ranks 16th of 51 states for public safety telecommunicators pay. There are 0.09 public safety telecommunicators per 1,000 jobs here — the job is less common than nationally (location quotient 0.14). The average (mean) salary is $58,870, close to the median.
Pay range for public safety telecommunicators in District of Columbia
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $44,480 | $21.38 |
| 25th percentile | $50,650 | $24.35 |
| Median | $59,080 | $28.40 |
| 75th percentile | $64,940 | $31.22 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $67,540 | $32.47 |
| Average (mean) | $58,870 | $28.30 |
Half of public safety telecommunicators earn more than the median and half earn less. Percentiles show the spread: 10% earn less than the 10th percentile, and 10% earn more than the 90th.
Median paycheck, before taxes
| Pay period | Amount |
|---|---|
| Monthly | $4,923.33 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $2,461.67 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $2,272.31 |
| Weekly | $1,136.15 |
| Hourly | $28.40 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Buying a home? On a $59,080 salary, see how much house you can afford in District of Columbia at today's mortgage rates, or work out a payment with the mortgage calculator.
Public Safety Telecommunicator salary in cities in District of Columbia
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV | $61,260 | 1,320 |
Highest-paying states for public safety telecommunicators
| State | Median salary |
|---|---|
| California | $80,120 |
| Washington | $78,850 |
| Oregon | $71,980 |
| Alaska | $66,660 |
| Minnesota | $66,550 |
| Colorado | $63,520 |
| Connecticut | $62,410 |
| Massachusetts | $61,720 |
| New York | $61,450 |
| Illinois | $61,260 |
Related jobs in District of Columbia
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Postal Service Mail Carrier | $64,250 | $30.89 |
| Shipping, Receiving, and Inventory Clerks | $49,660 | $23.87 |
| Production, Planning, and Expediting Clerks | $72,660 | $34.93 |
| Postal Service Mail Sorters, Processors, and Processing Machine Operators | $66,750 | $32.09 |
| Dispatchers, Except Police, Fire, and Ambulance | $72,260 | $34.74 |
| Couriers and Messengers | $45,210 | $21.74 |
| Postal Service Clerk | $67,790 | $32.59 |
| Cargo and Freight Agents | $76,250 | $36.66 |
| Secretaries and Administrative Assistants, Except Legal, Medical, and Executive | $59,910 | $28.80 |
| Customer Service Representative | $48,250 | $23.20 |
| Office Clerks, General | $55,040 | $26.46 |
| Executive Secretaries and Executive Administrative Assistants | $90,850 | $43.68 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Office and Administrative Support Workers | $79,200 | $38.08 |
| Receptionists and Information Clerks | $49,060 | $23.59 |
More: Office and Administrative Support Occupations · all salaries in District of Columbia
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025 estimates, occupation code 43-5031. Wages include base pay, tips, commissions and shift pay, but not overtime, bonuses or benefits, and exclude the self-employed.
Frequently asked questions
How much does a public safety telecommunicator make in District of Columbia?
The median salary for public safety telecommunicators in District of Columbia is $59,080 a year, or $28.40 an hour. Pay ranges from $44,480 for the lowest-paid 10% to $67,540 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid public safety telecommunicators make in District of Columbia?
The top 10% of public safety telecommunicators in District of Columbia earn at least $67,540 a year. The top 25% earn $64,940 or more.
What is the starting pay for public safety telecommunicators in District of Columbia?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $44,480 a year, and a quarter of public safety telecommunicators earn $50,650 or less.
How many public safety telecommunicators work in District of Columbia?
About 60 public safety telecommunicators are employed in District of Columbia, not counting the self-employed.