First sergeant vs master sergeant

The differences between first sergeants and master 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 $98,276 average annual salary of a master sergeant.

The top three skills for a first sergeant include personnel actions, professional development and general supervision. The most important skills for a master sergeant are logistical support, combat, and NCO.

First sergeant vs master sergeant overview

	First Sergeant	Master Sergeant
Yearly salary	$98,755	$98,276
Hourly rate	$47.48	$47.25
Growth rate	-	3%
Number of jobs	2,487	8,608
Job satisfaction	-	-
Most common degree	Bachelor's Degree, 42%	Associate Degree, 42%
Average age	46	46
Years of experience	-	-

First sergeant vs master sergeant salary

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

	First Sergeant	Master Sergeant
Average salary	$98,755	$98,276
Salary range	Between $70,000 And $138,000	Between $69,000 And $138,000
Highest paying City	-	-
Highest paying state	-	-
Best paying company	-	-
Best paying industry	-	-

Differences between first sergeant and master sergeant education

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

	First Sergeant	Master Sergeant
Most common degree	Bachelor's Degree, 42%	Associate Degree, 42%
Most common major	Business	Business
Most common college	Pennsylvania State University	Pennsylvania State University

First sergeant vs master sergeant demographics

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

	First Sergeant	Master Sergeant
Average age	46	46
Gender ratio	Male, 90.4% Female, 9.6%	Male, 90.0% Female, 10.0%
Race ratio	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%	Black or African American, 10.9% Unknown, 3.9% Hispanic or Latino, 15.7% Asian, 1.8% White, 66.3% American Indian and Alaska Native, 1.4%
LGBT Percentage	11%	11%

Differences between first sergeant and master 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.

Master sergeant example responsibilities.

Mentore and participate in and lead adaptive sports programs while receiving treatment for injuries sustain in Afghanistan during combat operations.
Provide leadership and knowledge of federal shipping and logistics regulations by managing adherence to all policies and procedures from higher headquarters.
Demonstrate training expertise for newly assign airmen, qualifying six technicians 4 months early.
Institute DoD mandate smart card log on; improve network security and reduce network threats.
Determine methods and approaches for program objectives and ensure compliance with DOD, and CJCS policies and priorities.
Ensure training and certification of airmen in the installation, removal, and testing of aircraft weapons system.

First sergeant vs master sergeant skills

Common first sergeant skills

Personnel Actions, 20%
Professional Development, 11%
General Supervision, 7%
Combat, 7%
Logistical Support, 6%
Personnel Accountability, 5%

Common master sergeant skills

Logistical Support, 13%
Combat, 8%
NCO, 6%
Human Resources, 6%
Professional Development, 4%
Training Programs, 4%