Dispatch teams hire assistants when the phone/radio traffic is high and accuracy matters: pickups, delivery windows,
route notes, exceptions, and constant updates from drivers and customers. Your goal is to keep information clean,
current, and easy for the dispatcher to act on—especially during peak hours.
Office & terminal coordinationCalls, emails, dispatch system updatesShift work may applyTraining on tools is common
Important: this is a “typical role” overview. Exact duties and pay depend on province, company type (courier, trucking,
warehousing), and whether the site runs 24/7 operations.
Pay snapshot (gross)
Indicative pay; varies by province, shift premiums, overtime, and experience
For Dispatcher Assistant roles, employers commonly start near the entry-to-mid part of the dispatcher wage spectrum.
A realistic baseline for many projects is 19–30 CAD/hour gross (before taxes and deductions).
Provincial wage benchmarks (reference)
Province
Low
Median
High
Ontario (Toronto / GTA)
19.35
26.75
43.18
Alberta (Calgary / Edmonton)
21.00
30.00
46.00
British Columbia (Vancouver)
21.00
31.35
40.87
Benchmarks shown are hourly wages for dispatchers by province and are provided as a market reference; assistant roles typically align closer to low–mid bands.
Actual offers may differ based on company, union/non-union environment, night shifts, and responsibility level.
Day-to-day tasks (what you’ll do)
Operational support that keeps dispatch running smoothly
Answer calls/emails and log requests: pickups, ETAs, delivery windows, reschedules
Exposure to TMS/dispatch systems, GPS/maps, basic KPI reporting
Customer service experience (calm conflict handling)
Safety culture matters: clear instructions, incident reporting, and compliance with site rules.
Candidate portrait
A quick self-check before you apply
You are a good fit if you…
can keep calm when the phone does not stop ringing
write clear notes and do not “guess” addresses or times
enjoy coordinating people and information in real time
can switch between tasks without losing accuracy
are comfortable working with dispatch screens / spreadsheets
can follow procedures and escalate issues early
are open to shift work if the operation runs evenings/nights
This role is not for you if you…
avoid phones or dislike frequent communication
struggle with fast-paced, time-sensitive work
often miss details (numbers, addresses, names, timestamps)
need a fully predictable schedule at all times
Work conditions in Canada (typical)
Neutral, realistic expectations
Schedule: day shifts are common; evenings/nights/weekends depend on the operation
Overtime: may apply during peaks; rules vary by province and employer policy
Environment: office/terminal; fast pace; multiple communication channels
Training: onboarding on dispatch workflow, internal rules, and software is typical
Deductions: standard statutory deductions apply (taxes/benefits where relevant)
Safety: incident reporting, site access rules, and compliance procedures are mandatory
Accommodation/travel support can exist on some projects, but is not universal and depends on employer policy.
Documents & legal work authorization (Canada)
General guidance (no promises; requirements are employer- and case-specific)
Work authorization: roles are typically filled via an employer-specific work permit or an open work permit (depending on your situation)
Identity documents: valid passport and any documents required by the employer/authorities
Checks: some employers require background checks and verifiable references
Role fit evidence: dispatch/logistics experience, software familiarity, and clear shift availability
Practical tip: on your CV, list the industries you supported (courier, trucking, warehouse),
the tools you used (dispatch boards/TMS/Excel), and the scale (drivers per shift, orders per day).
Is shift work common for Dispatcher Assistant roles?
It can be. Courier, trucking and warehouse operations often run evenings, nights and weekends. The exact schedule depends on the employer and location.
Do I need dispatch software experience?
Not always. Many employers train motivated candidates, but being comfortable with spreadsheets, fast typing and structured notes is a strong advantage.
What affects gross hourly pay the most?
Province, responsibility level, union/non-union environment, shift premiums, overtime volume and your experience with dispatch workflows/tools.
What documents are typically needed to work legally in Canada?
At minimum: a valid passport and appropriate work authorization (employer-specific or open permit, depending on your case). Some employers also request references or background checks.