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Desk sergeant vs police sergeant

The differences between desk sergeants and police sergeants can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. Additionally, a police sergeant has an average salary of $65,562, 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 police sergeant are patrol, public safety, and emergency situations.

Desk sergeant vs police sergeant overview

Desk SergeantPolice Sergeant
Yearly salary$39,731$65,562
Hourly rate$19.10$31.52
Growth rate-3%
Number of jobs24,83381,493
Job satisfaction--
Most common degreeAssociate Degree, 43%Bachelor's Degree, 48%
Average age4646
Years of experience--

Desk sergeant vs police sergeant salary

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

Desk SergeantPolice Sergeant
Average salary$39,731$65,562
Salary rangeBetween $33,000 And $47,000Between $48,000 And $89,000
Highest paying City-Santa Cruz, CA
Highest paying state-Washington
Best paying company-Loyola University Maryland
Best paying industry-Government

Differences between desk sergeant and police sergeant education

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

Desk SergeantPolice Sergeant
Most common degreeAssociate Degree, 43%Bachelor's Degree, 48%
Most common majorCriminal JusticeCriminal Justice
Most common collegePennsylvania State UniversityPennsylvania State University

Desk sergeant vs police sergeant demographics

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

Desk SergeantPolice Sergeant
Average age4646
Gender ratioMale, 81.6% Female, 18.4%Male, 90.2% Female, 9.8%
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, 11.0% Unknown, 3.9% Hispanic or Latino, 15.6% Asian, 1.8% White, 66.4% American Indian and Alaska Native, 1.4%
LGBT Percentage11%11%

Differences between desk sergeant and police 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.

Police sergeant example responsibilities.

  • Plan, manage, develop, implement and revise the training FTO program, as needed.
  • Collaborate with federal and state agencies, including the FBI, DEA, ATF, IRS and SBI.
  • Perform data entry into NCIC system, protection from abuse database, and automate incident memo systems.
  • Provide keen oversight to multiple divisions, including animal control, records, communications, training, and docket detention.
  • Coordinate department's firearms training and qualification programs for officers.
  • Complete advanced firearms, interviewing, interrogation, and supervision training.
  • Show more

Desk sergeant vs police sergeant skills

Common desk sergeant skills
  • Patrol, 17%
  • Law Enforcement Agencies, 15%
  • Emergency Situations, 14%
  • Incident Reports, 6%
  • Blotter, 5%
  • Emergency Calls, 3%
Common police sergeant skills
  • Patrol, 32%
  • Public Safety, 8%
  • Emergency Situations, 5%
  • Law Enforcement Agencies, 5%
  • Field Training, 3%
  • CPR, 3%

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