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The differences between border patrol agents and first officers can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. Additionally, a first officer has an average salary of $82,510, which is higher than the $46,060 average annual salary of a border patrol agent.
The top three skills for a border patrol agent include patrol, CBP and DHS. The most important skills for a first officer are FAA, CFR, and ATP.
| Border Patrol Agent | First Officer | |
| Yearly salary | $46,060 | $82,510 |
| Hourly rate | $22.14 | $39.67 |
| Growth rate | 3% | 3% |
| Number of jobs | 43,748 | 89,899 |
| Job satisfaction | - | - |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 63% | Bachelor's Degree, 71% |
| Average age | 40 | 40 |
| Years of experience | - | - |
A border patrol agent is a government employee who provides the security of international land borders and coastal waters between ports of entry. Border patrol agents are required to apprehend illegal border crossers, criminals, and terrorists from crossing a country to stop them from carrying out illegal activities and attacks. They work closely with other local and federal agencies to ensure legal immigrants, enterprises, and commerce remain unimpeded. Border patrol agents must also use electronic surveillance equipment and respond to electronic sensor alarms in remote areas.
A First Officer is focused on operating the aircraft in a safe and economical manner. They also are responsible for maintaining a high personal standard of discipline.
Border patrol agents and first officers have different pay scales, as shown below.
| Border Patrol Agent | First Officer | |
| Average salary | $46,060 | $82,510 |
| Salary range | Between $31,000 And $68,000 | Between $56,000 And $119,000 |
| Highest paying City | Los Angeles, CA | Buffalo, NY |
| Highest paying state | Alaska | New York |
| Best paying company | Department of Homeland Security | Lynden |
| Best paying industry | Government | Technology |
There are a few differences between a border patrol agent and a first officer in terms of educational background:
| Border Patrol Agent | First Officer | |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 63% | Bachelor's Degree, 71% |
| Most common major | Criminal Justice | Aviation |
| Most common college | California State University - Bakersfield | SUNY Farmingdale |
Here are the differences between border patrol agents' and first officers' demographics:
| Border Patrol Agent | First Officer | |
| Average age | 40 | 40 |
| Gender ratio | Male, 86.0% Female, 14.0% | Male, 87.9% Female, 12.1% |
| Race ratio | Black or African American, 9.1% Unknown, 4.3% Hispanic or Latino, 22.0% Asian, 2.9% White, 60.8% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.9% | Black or African American, 11.3% Unknown, 5.1% Hispanic or Latino, 17.4% Asian, 3.5% White, 61.5% American Indian and Alaska Native, 1.1% |
| LGBT Percentage | 7% | 7% |