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The differences between border patrol agents and law enforcement officers can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. Additionally, a border patrol agent has an average salary of $46,060, which is higher than the $39,219 average annual salary of a law enforcement officer.
The top three skills for a border patrol agent include patrol, CBP and DHS. The most important skills for a law enforcement officer are patrol, public safety, and emergency situations.
| Border Patrol Agent | Law Enforcement Officer | |
| Yearly salary | $46,060 | $39,219 |
| Hourly rate | $22.14 | $18.86 |
| Growth rate | 3% | 3% |
| Number of jobs | 43,748 | 105,817 |
| Job satisfaction | - | 4 |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 63% | Bachelor's Degree, 47% |
| 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.
The duties of a law enforcement officer depend on their line of work or agency of employment. In general, they are responsible for enforcing laws and regulations, prioritizing the safety of citizens and the protection of the city. Typically, their responsibilities include patrolling their designated area, responding to distress, monitoring suspicious activities and characters, conducting investigations and inspections, and coordinating various services to assist citizens. Moreover, as a law enforcement officer, it is essential to serve as a role model for citizens and uphold the oath to serve and protect.
Border patrol agents and law enforcement officers have different pay scales, as shown below.
| Border Patrol Agent | Law Enforcement Officer | |
| Average salary | $46,060 | $39,219 |
| Salary range | Between $31,000 And $68,000 | Between $30,000 And $50,000 |
| Highest paying City | Los Angeles, CA | Seattle, WA |
| Highest paying state | Alaska | Washington |
| Best paying company | Department of Homeland Security | University of Nebraska System |
| Best paying industry | Government | Government |
There are a few differences between a border patrol agent and a law enforcement officer in terms of educational background:
| Border Patrol Agent | Law Enforcement Officer | |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 63% | Bachelor's Degree, 47% |
| Most common major | Criminal Justice | Criminal Justice |
| Most common college | California State University - Bakersfield | Pennsylvania State University |
Here are the differences between border patrol agents' and law enforcement officers' demographics:
| Border Patrol Agent | Law Enforcement Officer | |
| Average age | 40 | 40 |
| Gender ratio | Male, 86.0% Female, 14.0% | Male, 80.3% Female, 19.7% |
| 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, 13.3% Unknown, 4.7% Hispanic or Latino, 18.2% Asian, 3.1% White, 59.6% American Indian and Alaska Native, 1.0% |
| LGBT Percentage | 7% | 7% |