Main duties
People in this unit group perform some or all of the following duties.
- Receive requests for emergency assistance or service and contact ambulances, police and fire departments, tow-trucks, and utility crews
- Process and transmit information and instructions to coordinate the activities of vehicle operators, crews and equipment using a variety of computer-aided communications and dispatching equipment
- Dispatch personnel according to written schedules and work orders, or as required by emergency situations
- Advise vehicle operators of route and traffic problems such as construction, accidents, congestion, weather conditions, weight and size restrictions and other information
- Operate radio equipment to communicate with ships, aircraft, mining crews, offshore oil rigs, logging camps and other remote operations
- Monitor personnel workloads and locations
- Maintain vehicle operator work records using computerized or manual methods and ensure time sheets and payroll summaries are completed accurately
- Maintain computer and manual records of mileage, fuel use, repairs and other expenses, and generate reports
Employment requirements
- Completion of secondary school is required
- Police and emergency dispatchers are required to complete formal on-the-job training. Other dispatchers usually undergo some informal on-the-job training
- Police and emergency dispatchers and other radio operators usually require provincial radio operator's certificates
Job titles in NOC 14404
43 job titles are classified in this unit group.
- 911 dispatcher
- airline radio operator
- alarm system dispatcher
- alarm system operator
- ambulance dispatcher
- boat dispatcher
- car assignments clerk
- coal mine car dispatcher
- communications officer - emergency services
- communications specialist dispatcher
- drilling rig radio operator
- emergency medical dispatcher
- emergency services dispatcher
- emergency vehicle dispatcher
- fire alarm operator
- fire department dispatcher
- gas service crew dispatcher
- highway radio-telephone operator
- mail service dispatcher
- maintenance services dispatcher
- mine dispatcher
- mobile equipment dispatcher
- monitoring station operator
- motor vehicle dispatcher
- newspaper dispatcher
- oil well service dispatcher
- pilot services dispatcher
- plant dispatcher
- police department dispatcher
- protective signal operator
Show all 43 job titles
- radio dispatcher
- radio operator
- radio-telephone operator
- service dispatcher
- taxi dispatcher
- telecommunications operator
- tow truck dispatcher
- troubleshooting services dispatcher
- truck dispatcher
- tugboat dispatcher
- utilities maintenance crew dispatcher
- water service dispatcher
- yard clerk
Wages for NOC 14404 by province
Hourly wages from Job Bank for dispatchers.
| Province or territory | Low | Median | High |
|---|---|---|---|
| Ontario | $19.35 | $26.75 | $43.18 |
| British Columbia | $21.00 | $31.35 | $40.87 |
| Alberta | $21.00 | $30.00 | $46.00 |
| Saskatchewan | $19.33 | $31.00 | $50.00 |
| Manitoba | $16.00 | $22.44 | $38.00 |
| Quebec | $20.25 | $28.50 | $38.50 |
| New Brunswick | $18.04 | $24.56 | $36.53 |
| Nova Scotia | $18.00 | $25.64 | $34.00 |
| Newfoundland and Labrador | $18.75 | $25.00 | $36.00 |
| Canada | $20.00 | $28.00 | $41.76 |
Ontario by region
| Region | Low | Median | High |
|---|---|---|---|
| Ottawa | $21.30 | $30.63 | $44.14 |
| Kingston–Pembroke | $20.90 | $28.65 | $40.15 |
| Muskoka–Kawarthas | $21.43 | $29.34 | $41.39 |
| Toronto | $19.52 | $28.07 | $44.21 |
| Kitchener–Waterloo–Barrie | $20.00 | $26.00 | $42.31 |
| Hamilton–Niagara Peninsula | $18.11 | $28.00 | $34.09 |
| London | $19.84 | $27.94 | $42.87 |
| Windsor–Sarnia | $21.85 | $30.78 | $41.66 |
| Stratford–Bruce Peninsula | $20.94 | $29.91 | $39.89 |
| Northeast | $17.60 | $33.50 | $43.18 |
| Northwest | $20.63 | $31.29 | $43.39 |
Source: Job Bank wages, reference period 2023-2024, revised November 19, 2025. Some Ontario figures are below the current general minimum wage of $17.95 per hour (since October 1, 2026); employers must pay at least the minimum wage.
Similar occupations classified elsewhere
These occupations look related but belong to a different NOC unit group.
- Air traffic controllers and related occupations: NOC 72601, Air traffic controllers and related occupations
- Bus dispatcher: NOC 72024, Supervisors, motor transport and other ground transit operators
- Dispatchers supervisor: NOC 12013, Supervisors, supply chain, tracking and scheduling coordination occupations
- Railway traffic controllers and marine traffic regulators: NOC 72604, Railway traffic controllers and marine traffic regulators
Hiring for this occupation in Ontario?
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Questions about NOC 14404
What is NOC 14404?
NOC 14404 is Dispatchers, a unit group in the 2021 National Occupational Classification (NOC 2021 Version 1.0). It belongs to the broad category business, finance and administration occupations and to TEER 4.
What TEER is NOC 14404?
NOC 14404 is TEER 4. TEER 4 generally means: high school diploma, or several weeks of on-the-job training.
What job titles are in NOC 14404?
The unit group includes 43 job titles, for example 911 dispatcher, alarm system dispatcher, ambulance dispatcher, emergency vehicle dispatcher, mobile equipment dispatcher, radio operator.
How much do dispatchers earn in Canada?
Job Bank reports a national median of $28.00 per hour for dispatchers, and $26.75 in Ontario. The highest provincial median is in British Columbia at $31.35 (reference period 2023-2024).
Which occupations are similar to NOC 14404?
Related occupations classified in other unit groups include air traffic controllers and related occupations (NOC 72601); bus dispatcher (NOC 72024); dispatchers supervisor (NOC 12013).
Last updated October 2026. Sources:
- National Occupational Classification (NOC) 2021 Version 1.0, Statistics Canada and Employment and Social Development Canada
- Job Bank wages
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