Chicago Dispatcher Jobs Overview
From medical events to home invasions, emergencies happen every day. When someone dials 9-1-1 in a frenzy, the person taking the phone call must gather the details pertaining to the emergency to prevent injury or even death. That includes calming callers, offering life-saving instructions, and promptly dispatching emergency personnel such as police officers, EMTs, and firefighters. Dispatcher jobs require only a high school diploma and a state certification.
A career as a dispatcher might be a good choice for you if you remain calm under pressure and want to be in a job where you can make a difference in people's lives. As a dispatcher, you'll respond to 9-1-1 emergency calls and home alarm system calls and determine the type of emergency, the location of the emergency, and the appropriate personnel to be dispatched. In some cases, you may give medical instructions over the phone while waiting for an ambulance to arrive. And dispatcher positions are in constant demand—the Bureau of Labor Statistics projects a 6% increase in new dispatcher jobs within the next decade.
You can expand your search for administrative jobs by checking out these similar positions:
About Working in Chicago, Illinois
If you're going to Chicago to experience "da Bears," deep-dish pizza, and windy streets, native Chicagoans say "fogetta 'bout it!" While these have made Chicago famous, you'll find many locals eating thin-crust, tavern-style pie. Plus, the city isn't on any list of the windiest cities in the U.S.—a local newspaper named it "The Windy City" after the Chicago elite's propensity toward boastfulness and self-promotion. And while the Chicago jobs list (hit jobs, that is) includes notorious mobsters from Chicago like Al Capone, John Dillinger, and Baby Face Nelson, linguists are noticing that the "Chicago accent" is disappearing.
However, there's a reason Condé Nast Traveler has named Chicago the "best big city in the U.S." Chicago is home to top universities, including Northwestern University, Wheaton College, and Valparaiso. And if you're looking for Chicago jobs, you can relocate to any one of the city's unique neighborhoods, such as North Center with its cozy Irish pubs and breweries or Uptown, the lively entertainment district. For those who want to live further out from the city, you can also find jobs in popular suburbs including Cicero, Oak Park, and Evanston.
Update Your Chicago Dispatcher Resume
If you have the skills and credentials needed for a dispatcher job, be sure to highlight them on your resume. Monster offers a wide range of resume samples and writing best practices to give you an advantage in your job search. Depending on where you apply, you may be asked to submit a cover letter along with your resume. We can help you with that as well. See our guide to writing the best cover letter and sample cover letters. Our simple and practical steps will help you effectively craft a cover letter that gets results.
How Much Do Dispatcher Jobs Pay in Chicago, Illinois?
Got money on your mind? You should! Make sure you’re getting paid what you’re worth. Our Salary Tools can help you understand what you can expect to make in dispatcher jobs in Chicago, Illinois, as well as the skills that can boost your value and what the next steps in your career might be. Right now, the median dispatcher pay in Chicago is $16.93 per hour, which is 3% higher than the national average.
Find Your Next Chicago Dispatcher Job. Monster Can Help Get You Started
Are you prepared for a career in dispatcher? If so, set up your profile on Monster for free and begin clicking on those dispatcher jobs. When you sign up with us, you’ll receive custom job alerts and expert advice on how to negotiate your salary in Chicago, how to nail your job interview, and more.