Dispatchers, Except Police, Fire, and Ambulance Salary in Des Moines, IA

BLS Occupational Employment & Wage Statistics • May 2025 • Des Moines-West Des Moines, IA

Median annual salary $49,200 +0.7% vs national
Median hourly $23.65
10th percentile $35,970
90th percentile $76,090
Employed locally 390
National median $48,880

Compare Dispatchers, Except Police, Fire, and Ambulance salary & buying power

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Dispatchers, Except Police, Fire, and Ambulance
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    Salary percentile breakdown

    10th
    $35,970
    25th
    $42,350
    50th (median)
    $49,200
    75th
    $63,940
    90th
    $76,090

    Des Moines economic context

    Unemployment rate 3.00% 2024 annual avg • BLS LAUS
    Median household income $84,209 2023 • Census ACS
    Dispatchers, Except Police, Fire, and Ambulance salary vs area income 58% Median Dispatchers, Except Police, Fire, and Ambulance salary is 42% below the area median household income

    Top-paying metros for Dispatchers, Except Police, Fire, and Ambulance

    Metro areaMedian salary
    District of Columbia $72,950
    Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN $64,250
    Minot, ND $63,540
    Illinois $62,280
    Janesville-Beloit, WI $61,410
    Southeast Minnesota nonmetropolitan area $61,150

    Nearby metros — Dispatchers, Except Police, Fire, and Ambulance salary comparison

    Metro areaMedian salary
    District of Columbia $72,950
    Olympia-Lacey-Tumwater, WA $58,120
    Southern West Virginia nonmetropolitan area $57,370
    Ames, IA $56,510
    Cedar Rapids, IA $56,290
    Peoria, IL $55,230

    Related occupations in Des Moines, IA

    OccupationMedian salary
    Customer Service Representatives $48,240
    Office Clerks, General $44,350
    Bookkeeping, Accounting, and Auditing Clerks $49,500
    First-Line Supervisors of Office and Administrative Support Workers $67,540
    Secretaries and Administrative Assistants, Except Legal, Medical, and Executive $46,440
    Medical Secretaries and Administrative Assistants $40,450

    Frequently asked questions

    How much do Dispatchers, Except Police, Fire, and Ambulance make per hour in Des Moines?

    The median hourly wage for Dispatchers, Except Police, Fire, and Ambulance in Des Moines, IA is $23.65, based on BLS OEWS 2025 data. Top earners (90th percentile) make $33.08 or more per hour.

    Is Des Moines above or below average for Dispatchers, Except Police, Fire, and Ambulance salaries?

    The median Dispatchers, Except Police, Fire, and Ambulance salary in Des Moines, IA is 0.7% above the national median of $48,880. The national figure is from BLS OEWS 2025 data covering all US metropolitan areas.

    What is the entry-level salary for Dispatchers, Except Police, Fire, and Ambulance in Des Moines?

    Entry-level Dispatchers, Except Police, Fire, and Ambulance (10th percentile) earn around $35,970 per year in Des Moines, IA. The 25th percentile — typically workers with 1–3 years of experience — earn approximately $42,350.