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The differences between border patrol agents and police officers can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. Additionally, a police officer has an average salary of $52,638, 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 police officer are patrol, public safety, and law enforcement agencies.
| Border Patrol Agent | Police Officer | |
| Yearly salary | $46,060 | $52,638 |
| Hourly rate | $22.14 | $25.31 |
| Growth rate | 3% | 3% |
| Number of jobs | 43,748 | 116,287 |
| Job satisfaction | - | 2 |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 63% | Bachelor's Degree, 49% |
| 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 officers are responsible for keeping peace and security in a community. They uphold and enforce the law. They ensure that people in their assigned community follow the law. They also ensure that proper sanctions are given out to anyone who does not follow. Some police officers are assigned in the field, meaning they work outside of police stations. Those assigned to police stations are responsible for maintaining administrative matters as well, aside from maintaining peace and order. Police officers are expected to be trustworthy, to work with honor, and to keep their integrity intact.
Border patrol agents and police officers have different pay scales, as shown below.
| Border Patrol Agent | Police Officer | |
| Average salary | $46,060 | $52,638 |
| Salary range | Between $31,000 And $68,000 | Between $38,000 And $71,000 |
| Highest paying City | Los Angeles, CA | Anchorage, AK |
| Highest paying state | Alaska | Alaska |
| Best paying company | Department of Homeland Security | Icma-rc |
| Best paying industry | Government | Government |
There are a few differences between a border patrol agent and a police officer in terms of educational background:
| Border Patrol Agent | Police Officer | |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 63% | Bachelor's Degree, 49% |
| 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 police officers' demographics:
| Border Patrol Agent | Police Officer | |
| Average age | 40 | 40 |
| Gender ratio | Male, 86.0% Female, 14.0% | Male, 83.2% Female, 16.8% |
| 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, 12.9% Unknown, 4.6% Hispanic or Latino, 18.2% Asian, 3.3% White, 60.0% American Indian and Alaska Native, 1.0% |
| LGBT Percentage | 7% | 7% |