How to become a 911 dispatcher in Arizona
In Arizona, 911 dispatchers are hired by city, county and regional 911 centers. The Arizona 9-1-1 Program (Arizona Department of Administration) sets the statewide standards; the credential is Public Safety Telecommunicator (911 dispatcher). At the Phoenix Police Department Communications Bureau (Police Communications Operator, job code 01830), new hires start at $37,586 a year, rising to $82,056.
Pay at the Phoenix Police Department Communications Bureau (Police Communications Operator, job code 01830)
Each city and county sets its own pay. This is the official scale of the Phoenix Police Department Communications Bureau (Police Communications Operator, job code 01830), the largest city's agency.
| Starting salary | $37,586 |
|---|---|
| Top of scale | $82,056 |
| Scale effective | 2026-10-26 |
City of Phoenix Salary Range Report (data as of 10/26/26): Police Comm Operator, salary plan 006, grade 347, AFSCME unit 3: $18.07-$39.45/hour, 17 steps, $37,585.60-$82,056.00/year (40 hrs/week). The Radio/911 class (01832, grade 349) is $18.97-$41.42/hour ($39,457.60-$86,153.60). Minimum is the bottom of the range; actual hiring step not shown in this report.
Source:[phoenix.gov]
Pay for this work across Arizona
Federal survey figures for public safety telecommunicators in Arizona, counting every employer in the state, public and private, so they differ from any one agency's pay scale above.
| People in this work | 1,790 |
|---|---|
| Lower pay (10th percentile) | $46,950 |
| Median pay | $56,600 |
| Higher pay (90th percentile) | $77,890 |
Source: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025, state estimates (all employers)[bls.gov]
Requirements
- No state-level telecommunicator training or certification standard was confirmed from an official Arizona source; the figures below are the City of Phoenix's class minimums
- Phoenix Police Communications Operator: one year of experience in public contact and clerical work including general typing, and successful completion of the City of Phoenix Police Communications 911 Training Program (other combinations of experience and education may be substituted)
- Must meet Police Department background standards
- Shift, holiday and weekend work in a 24/7 center
Source:[phoenix.gov]
Required training
Length not published. No state-required initial training hours found. Phoenix requires completion of its own Police Communications Operator Training Course.[phoenix.gov]
Pension and retirement
- Plan: Arizona State Retirement System (ASRS)
- Benefit formula: Graded multiplier x years of service x average monthly compensation: 2.10% for 0-19.99 years, rising to 2.15%, 2.20% and 2.30% at higher service; AMC = highest consecutive 60 months within the last 120 months (members joining on/after July 1, 2011)
- When you can retire: Members joining on/after July 1, 2011: age 65; age 62 with 10 years; age 60 with 25 years; or age 55 with 30 years (no points-based option)
ASRS covers most Arizona counties, cities and towns. The City of Phoenix (pay.employer) has its own City of Phoenix Employees' Retirement System (COPERS) instead.
Source:[azasrs.gov]