Airplane Dispatchers
Overview
Introduction
Airplane dispatchers plan and direct commercial air flights according to government and airline company regulations. They read radio reports from airplane pilots during flights and study weather reports to determine any necessary change in flight direction or altitude. They send instructions by radio to the pilots in the case of heavy storms, fog, mechanical difficulties, or other emergencies. Airline dispatchers are sometimes called flight superintendents. The Airline Dispatchers Federation has approximately 2,200 members....
Quick Facts
Median Salary
Employment Prospects
Minimum Education Level
Experience
Skills
Personality Traits
Earnings
Dispatcher salaries vary greatly among airlines. According to PayScale.com, in May 2019 flight dispatchers earned an average of $49,719 annually. The lowest 10% made less than $32,000 per year, while the top 10% had annual salaries of more than $91,000. According to the Airline Dispatchers Federation, new hires with major airlines typically start out around $60,000 annually, while senior dispat...
Work Environment
Airplane dispatchers are normally stationed at airports near a terminal or hangar, but in facilities away from the public. Some airlines use several dispatch installations, while others use a single office. Because dispatchers make decisions involving not only thousands of people but also a great deal of money, their offices are often located close to those of management, so that they can remai...
Outlook
Approximately 2,200 dispatchers are members of the Airline Dispatchers Federation. Most are employed by large airlines. Smaller airlines and some private firms also employ airplane dispatchers, but the number of dispatchers remains very small. The U.S. Department of Labor predicts little to no job growth for dispatchers, but notes that population growth and an improving economy could lead to in...
