Public Safety Telecommunicator salary in Memphis, TN-MS-AR
Public Safety Telecommunicators in the Memphis, TN-MS-AR metro area earn a median of $53,820 a year ($25.88 an hour), based on BLS data for 410 workers.
Pay ranges from $37,330 for the lowest-paid 10% to $73,270 for the top 10%. That is 1% higher than the national median of $53,040. Pay here is 16% higher than the Tennessee statewide median of $46,390. There are 0.67 public safety telecommunicators per 1,000 jobs here — close to the national average. The average (mean) salary is $55,030, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for public safety telecommunicators in Memphis, TN-MS-AR
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $37,330 | $17.95 |
| 25th percentile | $44,390 | $21.34 |
| Median | $53,820 | $25.88 |
| 75th percentile | $73,060 | $35.13 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $73,270 | $35.23 |
| Average (mean) | $55,030 | $26.46 |
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 | $4,485 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $2,242.50 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $2,070 |
| Weekly | $1,035 |
| Hourly | $25.88 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Buying a home? On a $53,820 salary, see how much house you can afford in Tennessee at today's mortgage rates, or work out a payment with the mortgage calculator.
Public Safety Telecommunicator salary in other metro areas nearby
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| Nashville-Davidson--Murfreesboro--Franklin, TN | $48,920 | 500 |
| Clarksville, TN-KY | $46,930 | 90 |
| Fayetteville-Springdale-Rogers, AR | $45,260 | 180 |
| Knoxville, TN | $44,700 | 190 |
| Kingsport-Bristol, TN-VA | $44,630 | 80 |
| Jackson, TN | $44,450 | 110 |
| Chattanooga, TN-GA | $43,220 | 120 |
| Little Rock-North Little Rock-Conway, AR | $42,140 | 350 |
| Johnson City, TN | $41,570 | 60 |
| Jonesboro, AR | $40,930 | 50 |
| Texarkana, TX-AR | $40,220 | 50 |
| Hot Springs, AR | $40,200 | 50 |
| Morristown, TN | $40,050 | 30 |
| Cleveland, TN | $40,040 | 40 |
| Fort Smith, AR-OK | $37,290 | 90 |
| Jackson, MS | $35,790 | 280 |
| Gulfport-Biloxi, MS | $35,770 | 150 |
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 |
See Public Safety Telecommunicator pay in every state or the Tennessee statewide figures.
Related jobs in Memphis, TN-MS-AR
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Shipping, Receiving, and Inventory Clerks | $45,800 | $22.02 |
| Production, Planning, and Expediting Clerks | $57,030 | $27.42 |
| Cargo and Freight Agents | $55,930 | $26.89 |
| Postal Service Mail Carrier | $58,910 | $28.32 |
| Postal Service Mail Sorters, Processors, and Processing Machine Operators | $54,330 | $26.12 |
| Couriers and Messengers | $44,040 | $21.17 |
| Dispatchers, Except Police, Fire, and Ambulance | $53,080 | $25.52 |
| Weighers, Measurers, Checkers, and Samplers, Recordkeeping | $44,110 | $21.21 |
| Postal Service Clerk | $62,610 | $30.10 |
| Meter Readers, Utilities | $39,880 | $19.17 |
| Customer Service Representative | $44,090 | $21.20 |
| Office Clerks, General | $38,610 | $18.56 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Office and Administrative Support Workers | $71,310 | $34.28 |
| Medical Secretaries and Administrative Assistants | $39,940 | $19.20 |
More: Office and Administrative Support Occupations · all salaries in Memphis, TN-MS-AR
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 Memphis, TN-MS-AR?
The median salary for public safety telecommunicators in the Memphis, TN-MS-AR metro area is $53,820 a year, or $25.88 an hour. Pay ranges from $37,330 for the lowest-paid 10% to $73,270 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid public safety telecommunicators make in Memphis, TN-MS-AR?
The top 10% of public safety telecommunicators in the Memphis, TN-MS-AR metro area earn at least $73,270 a year. The top 25% earn $73,060 or more.
What is the starting pay for public safety telecommunicators in Memphis, TN-MS-AR?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $37,330 a year, and a quarter of public safety telecommunicators earn $44,390 or less.
How many public safety telecommunicators work in Memphis, TN-MS-AR?
About 410 public safety telecommunicators are employed in the Memphis, TN-MS-AR metro area, not counting the self-employed.