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Border patrol agent vs officer candidate

The differences between border patrol agents and officers candidate 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 $44,036 average annual salary of an officer candidate.

The top three skills for a border patrol agent include patrol, CBP and DHS. The most important skills for an officer candidate are platoon, combat, and leadership.

Border patrol agent vs officer candidate overview

Border Patrol AgentOfficer Candidate
Yearly salary$46,060$44,036
Hourly rate$22.14$21.17
Growth rate3%3%
Number of jobs43,74855,985
Job satisfaction--
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 63%Bachelor's Degree, 78%
Average age4040
Years of experience--

Border patrol agent vs officer candidate salary

Border patrol agents and officers candidate have different pay scales, as shown below.

Border Patrol AgentOfficer Candidate
Average salary$46,060$44,036
Salary rangeBetween $31,000 And $68,000Between $25,000 And $76,000
Highest paying CityLos Angeles, CA-
Highest paying stateAlaska-
Best paying companyDepartment of Homeland Security-
Best paying industryGovernment-

Differences between border patrol agent and officer candidate education

There are a few differences between a border patrol agent and an officer candidate in terms of educational background:

Border Patrol AgentOfficer Candidate
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 63%Bachelor's Degree, 78%
Most common majorCriminal JusticeBusiness
Most common collegeCalifornia State University - BakersfieldCalifornia State University - Bakersfield

Border patrol agent vs officer candidate demographics

Here are the differences between border patrol agents' and officers candidate' demographics:

Border Patrol AgentOfficer Candidate
Average age4040
Gender ratioMale, 86.0% Female, 14.0%Male, 79.8% Female, 20.2%
Race ratioBlack 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, 12.6% Unknown, 4.5% Hispanic or Latino, 17.9% Asian, 3.2% White, 60.8% American Indian and Alaska Native, 1.0%
LGBT Percentage7%7%

Differences between border patrol agent and officer candidate duties and responsibilities

Border patrol agent example responsibilities.

  • Manage surveillance of DUI traffic offenders in Jacksonville
  • Interview U.S. citizens to accomplish anti-terrorism and anti-smuggling mission.
  • Certify in CPR and license by S.L.E.D.
  • Document incidents, apply wound care, and administer CPR.
  • Supervise immigration processing including expedite removals, NTAs, and I-160as.
  • Determine U.S. citizenship and processing immigrant visa case work and Sevis forms.
  • Show more

Officer candidate example responsibilities.

  • Lead a platoon of officer candidates through physical training warm-ups and cool downs, focusing on proper technique and execution.
  • Manage procurement operations and export-import logistics operations of recreational vehicles from U.S. to Venezuela.
  • Garrison leadership positions include serving as platoon leader and squad leader
  • Apply leadership, management and supervision techniques when receiving operational orders, disseminating information and assigning mission essential tasks.
  • Complete physical testing standards as well as many academic exams that analyze leadership potential as well as mental cognitive capabilities.
  • Join extracurricular ROTC activities, such as color guard.
  • Show more

Border patrol agent vs officer candidate skills

Common border patrol agent skills
  • Patrol, 72%
  • CBP, 14%
  • DHS, 2%
  • Federal Laws, 2%
  • Illegal Entry, 2%
  • Spanish Language, 1%
Common officer candidate skills
  • Platoon, 15%
  • Combat, 11%
  • Leadership, 9%
  • Physical Fitness Test, 9%
  • Logistics, 6%
  • Physical Fitness Training, 6%

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