Communications Specialist - Transportation pay range
State of Washington · class code 450F
- Class code
- 450F
- Salary range
- 36
- Pay unit
- Year
- State
- Washington
- The State of Washington published pay range for Communications Specialist - Transportation is $39,924 to $52,872 per year.
- Washington State Office of Financial Management (OFM) keys this classification as class code 450F.
- This is the range the plan authorises, not the salary of any individual employee.
Step progression
Washington State Office of Financial Management (OFM) assigns this class to salary range 36 in the General Service Salary Schedule. The range pays 13 steps; a step is normally earned on a periodic increment date, not negotiated.
| Basis | A | B | C | D | E | F | G | H | I | J | K | L | M |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Annual | $39,924 | $40,836 | $41,820 | $42,780 | $43,836 | $44,856 | $45,924 | $47,004 | $48,048 | $49,296 | $50,412 | $51,600 | $52,872 |
| Monthly | $3,327 | $3,403 | $3,485 | $3,565 | $3,653 | $3,738 | $3,827 | $3,917 | $4,004 | $4,108 | $4,201 | $4,300 | $4,406 |
| Hourly | $19.12 | $19.56 | $20.03 | $20.49 | $20.99 | $21.48 | $21.99 | $22.51 | $23.01 | $23.61 | $24.14 | $24.71 | $25.32 |
Steps as published. The monthly and hourly rows are the state's own, not conversions of the annual row.
Class specification
The OFM classified job specification for this class is published by Washington State Office of Financial Management (OFM). The passages below are quoted from it as published, not paraphrased, and cut to their opening sentences; the full specification is the authority on duties and qualifications.
What the state says the job is
In the Seattle Traffic Systems Management Center, serves as the shift operator of the electronic communication systems responsible for receiving, transmitting and coordinating roadway condition and service requirements via multi‑frequency base stations, monitoring and operating freeway traffic control systems, and the operation of computer enhanced information distribution systems on the roadway and for the media.
Examples of the work
Assumes complete responsibility for the operation of a control center on a shift, providing control, direction and guidance to personnel and keeping center personnel informed as necessary; Operates a multi‑frequency radio console, multi‑line telephone system, computer terminal, typewriter, private line intercom system and other data recording equipment; Utilizes computer terminal to receive and disseminate roadway conditions Statewide; performs various functions within the transportation system's monitoring center and monitors the traffic system's control terminal; Receives information from the public by telephone and in person; records, evaluates, and disseminates reports of accidents, traf ...
Minimum qualifications
High school graduation. AND Two years of experience as a principal radio operator or dispatcher utilizing two way radio equipment or two years of experience as a Radio Operator or Communication Officer in State service. Equivalent education/experience.
Quoted from the OFM classified job specification, read 2026-10-21.
Where this comes from
Washington State Office of Financial Management (OFM) publishes this figure in Classified Job Listing joined to the OFM salary schedules effective July 1, 2026. Every number on this page is read from that document; nothing is estimated, modelled or averaged.
The dollar figures come from the salary schedule the listing assigns this range to.