Post job

First sergeant vs drill sergeant

The differences between first sergeants and drill sergeants can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. Additionally, a drill sergeant has an average salary of $100,889, which is higher than the $98,755 average annual salary of a first sergeant.

The top three skills for a first sergeant include personnel actions, professional development and general supervision. The most important skills for a drill sergeant are safety procedures, physical fitness training, and individual training.

First sergeant vs drill sergeant overview

First SergeantDrill Sergeant
Yearly salary$98,755$100,889
Hourly rate$47.48$48.50
Growth rate--
Number of jobs2,487452
Job satisfaction--
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 42%Bachelor's Degree, 42%
Average age4646
Years of experience--

First sergeant vs drill sergeant salary

First sergeants and drill sergeants have different pay scales, as shown below.

First SergeantDrill Sergeant
Average salary$98,755$100,889
Salary rangeBetween $70,000 And $138,000Between $73,000 And $138,000
Highest paying City--
Highest paying state--
Best paying company--
Best paying industry--

Differences between first sergeant and drill sergeant education

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

First SergeantDrill Sergeant
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 42%Bachelor's Degree, 42%
Most common majorBusinessBusiness
Most common collegePennsylvania State UniversityPennsylvania State University

First sergeant vs drill sergeant demographics

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

First SergeantDrill Sergeant
Average age4646
Gender ratioMale, 90.4% Female, 9.6%Male, 86.2% Female, 13.8%
Race ratioBlack 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%Black or African American, 12.5% Unknown, 3.9% Hispanic or Latino, 14.4% Asian, 1.8% White, 66.1% American Indian and Alaska Native, 1.4%
LGBT Percentage11%11%

Differences between first sergeant and drill sergeant duties and responsibilities

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

Drill sergeant example responsibilities.

  • Manage all land and training area use, ammunition use / forecasting, requisitioning, allocations, and inspection.
  • Orchestrate squadron recognition programs, manage enlisted promotion recommendations and alleviate all airmen quality force issues.
  • Distribute ammunition to other units.
  • Exhibit positive leadership for trouble youth/boot camp participants.
  • Develop supervisory skills through attendance of leadership courses and training sessions.
  • Supervise all attach combat multipliers, including combat engineers, during construction of all defensive positions and force protection arenas.
  • Show more

First sergeant vs drill sergeant skills

Common first sergeant skills
  • Personnel Actions, 20%
  • Professional Development, 11%
  • General Supervision, 7%
  • Combat, 7%
  • Logistical Support, 6%
  • Personnel Accountability, 5%
Common drill sergeant skills
  • Safety Procedures, 19%
  • Physical Fitness Training, 14%
  • Individual Training, 11%
  • Professional Development, 9%
  • Weapons Training, 7%
  • US Army, 4%

Browse protective service jobs