How to become a 911 dispatcher in West Virginia
In West Virginia, 911 dispatchers are hired by city, county and regional 911 centers. The West Virginia Office of Emergency Medical Services (EMD course approval); training mandated by W. Va. Code §24-6-5 sets the statewide standards; the credential is Emergency Telecommunicator. At the Metro 911 of Kanawha County (Charleston), new hires start at $43,700 a year.
Pay at the Metro 911 of Kanawha County (Charleston)
Each city and county sets its own pay. This is the official scale of the Metro 911 of Kanawha County (Charleston), the largest city's agency.
| Starting salary | $43,700 |
|---|---|
| Top of scale | — |
| Scale effective | 2022-10-17 |
Metro 911 Public Safety Telecommunicator job description (updated 10-17-22): Entry $43,700+; after completing all training $45,700+; yearly longevity raises. No top of scale is published.
Source:[metro911.org]
Pay for this work across West Virginia
Federal survey figures for public safety telecommunicators in West Virginia, counting every employer in the state, public and private, so they differ from any one agency's pay scale above.
| People in this work | 880 |
|---|---|
| Lower pay (10th percentile) | $30,060 |
| Median pay | $40,490 |
| Higher pay (90th percentile) | $52,940 |
Source: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025, state estimates (all employers)[bls.gov]
Requirements
- Education: High school diploma or equivalent (Metro 911 requirement)
- State law sets training only; education and screening here are Metro 911 of Kanawha County's posted requirements
- W. Va. Code §24-6-5(e): as a condition of continued employment, county emergency dispatch center dispatchers must complete a 40-hour nationally recognized dispatcher training course within one year of employment
- A nationally recognized telephone CPR (T-CPR) course selected by the emergency medical dispatch center's medical director, within one year of employment (for those hired after July 1, 2019)
- A nationally recognized emergency medical dispatch (EMD) course, or one approved by the Office of Emergency Medical Services, within one year of employment
- Metro 911: criminal history background check; random drug testing including pre-employment; must be available for all shifts and mandatory overtime
Source:[code.wvlegislature.gov]
Hiring process
- Review Metro 911 suitability questionnaire
- Online or printed application with copies of diploma, transcript, and signed pre-employment screening waiver
- Criminal history background check
- Pre-employment drug test
- Complete required testing, training and certifications
Source:[metro911.org]
Required training
40 hours minimum. 40-hour nationally recognized dispatcher course within one year of hire, plus T-CPR and EMD courses within one year (W. Va. Code §24-6-5(e)).[code.wvlegislature.gov]
Pension and retirement
- Plan: West Virginia Emergency Medical Services Retirement System (EMSRS) for 911 personnel of participating county 911 centers; otherwise West Virginia PERS
- Benefit formula: EMSRS: 2.6% of final average salary per year for the first 20 years, 2% for years 21-25, 1.5% per year over 25; max 67% (rises to 2.75% / 90% if the plan reaches 75% funded)
- When you can retire: EMSRS normal retirement: age 50 with 20 years of contributory service; or age 50+ with age + service >= 70 while in covered employment; or age 60 with 10 years; or age 62 with 5 years
Source:[code.wvlegislature.gov]