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Desk sergeant vs first sergeant

The differences between desk sergeants and first sergeants can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. Additionally, a first sergeant has an average salary of $98,755, which is higher than the $39,731 average annual salary of a desk sergeant.

The top three skills for a desk sergeant include patrol, law enforcement agencies and emergency situations. The most important skills for a first sergeant are personnel actions, professional development, and general supervision.

Desk sergeant vs first sergeant overview

Desk SergeantFirst Sergeant
Yearly salary$39,731$98,755
Hourly rate$19.10$47.48
Growth rate--
Number of jobs24,8332,487
Job satisfaction--
Most common degreeAssociate Degree, 43%Bachelor's Degree, 42%
Average age4646
Years of experience--

Desk sergeant vs first sergeant salary

Desk sergeants and first sergeants have different pay scales, as shown below.

Desk SergeantFirst Sergeant
Average salary$39,731$98,755
Salary rangeBetween $33,000 And $47,000Between $70,000 And $138,000
Highest paying City--
Highest paying state--
Best paying company--
Best paying industry--

Differences between desk sergeant and first sergeant education

There are a few differences between a desk sergeant and a first sergeant in terms of educational background:

Desk SergeantFirst Sergeant
Most common degreeAssociate Degree, 43%Bachelor's Degree, 42%
Most common majorCriminal JusticeBusiness
Most common collegePennsylvania State UniversityPennsylvania State University

Desk sergeant vs first sergeant demographics

Here are the differences between desk sergeants' and first sergeants' demographics:

Desk SergeantFirst Sergeant
Average age4646
Gender ratioMale, 81.6% Female, 18.4%Male, 90.4% Female, 9.6%
Race ratioBlack or African American, 10.1% Unknown, 3.9% Hispanic or Latino, 15.8% Asian, 1.8% White, 67.0% American Indian and Alaska Native, 1.4%Black or African American, 11.9% Unknown, 3.9% Hispanic or Latino, 14.9% Asian, 1.8% White, 66.1% American Indian and Alaska Native, 1.4%
LGBT Percentage11%11%

Differences between desk sergeant and first sergeant duties and responsibilities

Desk sergeant example responsibilities.

  • Assist in establishing overall S3 objectives and accomplishing assign missions.
  • Monitor console alarm panels and CCTV displays for various high priority facilities.
  • Conduct classroom instruction in engagement techniques, limit visibility gunnery, target classification, range determination, and field reconnaissance.
  • Secure priceless and irreplaceable documents against threats of terrorism and sabotage.

First sergeant example responsibilities.

  • Supervise and manage the refit and reset of the unit upon redeployment.
  • Manage food, water, ammunition, and equipment for the squad and ensure everyone ration accordingly.
  • Demonstrate unparalleled proficiency in managing operations and administrative requirements in a combat environment, with superior technical and tactical adeptness.
  • Provide leadership and knowledge of federal shipping and logistics regulations by managing adherence to all policies and procedures from higher headquarters.
  • Use PowerPoint to create briefs and training slides.
  • Develop a full training program in accordance with USAF protocols.
  • Show more

Desk sergeant vs first sergeant skills

Common desk sergeant skills
  • Patrol, 17%
  • Law Enforcement Agencies, 15%
  • Emergency Situations, 14%
  • Incident Reports, 6%
  • Blotter, 5%
  • Emergency Calls, 3%
Common first sergeant skills
  • Personnel Actions, 20%
  • Professional Development, 11%
  • General Supervision, 7%
  • Combat, 7%
  • Logistical Support, 6%
  • Personnel Accountability, 5%

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