Tennessee ranks 38th of 51 states and D.C. for public safety telecommunicators pay, trailing top-paying California ($78,210) by $32,480 — a 71% gap.
The 10th-to-90th percentile range runs from $33,220 to $64,060 — a $30,840 spread, 27% tighter than the national $42,470 range.
Tennessee employs roughly 1.8% of all public safety telecommunicators in the country (1,780 workers).
Salary Range: 10th to 90th Percentile
Full Percentile Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual Wage | Hourly Wage |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry-level) | $33,220 | $15.97 |
| 25th percentile | $38,430 | $18.48 |
| 50th percentile (median) | $45,730 | $21.99 |
| 75th percentile | $52,160 | $25.08 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $64,060 | $30.80 |
| Mean (average) | $46,630 | $22.42 |
How Tennessee Compares
| State | Median Annual | vs. Tennessee |
|---|---|---|
| Tennessee (current) | $45,730 | n/a |
| California | $78,210 | +71% |
| Washington | $77,310 | +69% |
| Oregon | $70,690 | +55% |
| Minnesota | $64,920 | +42% |
| Alaska | $63,390 | +39% |
| Connecticut | $63,210 | +38% |
| Colorado | $62,460 | +37% |
| Illinois | $59,860 | +31% |
Showing top-paying states with available data. View all states →
Related Occupations in Tennessee
| Occupation | Median Annual | Employment |
|---|---|---|
| Installation, Maintenance, and Repair Workers, All Other | $45,760 | 4,800 |
| Marriage and Family Therapists | $45,660 | 2,590 |
| Education and Childcare Administrators, Preschool and Daycare | $45,620 | 550 |
| Glaziers | $45,610 | 1,070 |
| Multiple Machine Tool Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic | $45,870 | N/A |
| Information and Record Clerks, All Other | $45,570 | 2,020 |
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the average Public Safety Telecommunicators salary in Tennessee?
The mean public safety telecommunicators salary in Tennessee is $46,630 per year. The median (middle) salary is $45,730 per year.
What is the starting salary for a Public Safety Telecommunicators in Tennessee?
Entry-level public safety telecommunicatorss (10th percentile) in Tennessee typically earn around $33,220 per year. Workers at the 25th percentile earn approximately $38,430 per year.
What is the highest Public Safety Telecommunicators salary in Tennessee?
Top earners (90th percentile) in this occupation in Tennessee make approximately $64,060 per year. Those in the 75th percentile earn around $52,160 per year.
How does the Tennessee Public Safety Telecommunicators salary compare to the national average?
The median public safety telecommunicators salary in Tennessee is $45,730, which is -10% below national average of $50,730.