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Border patrol agent vs patrol sergeant

The differences between border patrol agents and patrol sergeants can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. Additionally, a patrol sergeant has an average salary of $56,638, 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 patrol sergeant are patrol, law enforcement agencies, and public safety.

Border patrol agent vs patrol sergeant overview

Border Patrol AgentPatrol Sergeant
Yearly salary$46,060$56,638
Hourly rate$22.14$27.23
Growth rate3%3%
Number of jobs43,74822,591
Job satisfaction--
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 63%Bachelor's Degree, 48%
Average age4040
Years of experience--

What does a border patrol agent do?

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.

What does a patrol sergeant do?

A Patrol Sergeant oversees and performs security operations on an assigned shift. They conduct vehicular patrol of an assigned area, investigate the scenes of accidents, and make arrests, when required.

Border patrol agent vs patrol sergeant salary

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

Border Patrol AgentPatrol Sergeant
Average salary$46,060$56,638
Salary rangeBetween $31,000 And $68,000Between $44,000 And $72,000
Highest paying CityLos Angeles, CA-
Highest paying stateAlaska-
Best paying companyDepartment of Homeland Security-
Best paying industryGovernment-

Differences between border patrol agent and patrol sergeant education

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

Border Patrol AgentPatrol Sergeant
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 63%Bachelor's Degree, 48%
Most common majorCriminal JusticeCriminal Justice
Most common collegeCalifornia State University - BakersfieldPennsylvania State University

Border patrol agent vs patrol sergeant demographics

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

Border Patrol AgentPatrol Sergeant
Average age4040
Gender ratioMale, 86.0% Female, 14.0%Male, 91.2% Female, 8.8%
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, 12.4% Unknown, 4.4% Hispanic or Latino, 17.4% Asian, 3.5% White, 61.4% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.9%
LGBT Percentage7%7%

Differences between border patrol agent and patrol sergeant 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

Patrol sergeant example responsibilities.

  • Manage department's firearm ammunition and ensure supplies are adequate and additional items order as needed.
  • Used and enforce during combat risk management composite and procedures, risk management analysis, always safety conscious.
  • Conduct investigations and any disciplinary action need for any complaint or incident involving patrol officers.
  • Communicate with fellow patrol officers in order to coordinate more effective task completion and conflict resolution.
  • Designate firearms proficiency officer responsible for maintaining individual officer annual firearms qualifications and associate maintenance of training records.
  • Serve arrest, bench warrants, subpoenas, domestic violence orders and other court paperwork.
  • Show more

Border patrol agent vs patrol sergeant skills

Common border patrol agent skills
  • Patrol, 72%
  • CBP, 14%
  • DHS, 2%
  • Federal Laws, 2%
  • Illegal Entry, 2%
  • Spanish Language, 1%
Common patrol sergeant skills
  • Patrol, 44%
  • Law Enforcement Agencies, 6%
  • Public Safety, 5%
  • Personnel Problems, 5%
  • Emergency Situations, 4%
  • Field Training, 4%

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