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The differences between border patrol agents and police cadets 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 $33,243 average annual salary of a police cadet.
The top three skills for a border patrol agent include patrol, CBP and DHS. The most important skills for a police cadet are patrol, traffic control, and public safety.
| Border Patrol Agent | Police Cadet | |
| Yearly salary | $46,060 | $33,243 |
| Hourly rate | $22.14 | $15.98 |
| Growth rate | 3% | 3% |
| Number of jobs | 43,748 | 94,220 |
| Job satisfaction | - | - |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 63% | Bachelor's Degree, 44% |
| 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.
Police cadets require multiple police department-relevant skills in traffic control, police reports, public safety, and special events. Those who choose this career will be responsible for participating in training programs that will introduce them to the fundamentals of law enforcement and prepare them for becoming police officers, supporting police operations like traffic control, working on criminal investigation, and performing administrative duties at the station.
Border patrol agents and police cadets have different pay scales, as shown below.
| Border Patrol Agent | Police Cadet | |
| Average salary | $46,060 | $33,243 |
| Salary range | Between $31,000 And $68,000 | Between $23,000 And $47,000 |
| Highest paying City | Los Angeles, CA | Minneapolis, MN |
| Highest paying state | Alaska | Alaska |
| Best paying company | Department of Homeland Security | Meridian Township |
| Best paying industry | Government | Government |
There are a few differences between a border patrol agent and a police cadet in terms of educational background:
| Border Patrol Agent | Police Cadet | |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 63% | Bachelor's Degree, 44% |
| Most common major | Criminal Justice | Criminal Justice |
| Most common college | California State University - Bakersfield | University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill |
Here are the differences between border patrol agents' and police cadets' demographics:
| Border Patrol Agent | Police Cadet | |
| Average age | 40 | 40 |
| Gender ratio | Male, 86.0% Female, 14.0% | Male, 63.4% Female, 36.6% |
| 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, 4.6% Hispanic or Latino, 21.7% Asian, 2.9% White, 58.5% American Indian and Alaska Native, 1.0% |
| LGBT Percentage | 7% | 7% |