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First sergeant vs police sergeant

The differences between first sergeants and police 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 $65,562 average annual salary of a police sergeant.

The top three skills for a first sergeant include personnel actions, professional development and general supervision. The most important skills for a police sergeant are patrol, public safety, and emergency situations.

First sergeant vs police sergeant overview

First SergeantPolice Sergeant
Yearly salary$98,755$65,562
Hourly rate$47.48$31.52
Growth rate-3%
Number of jobs2,48781,493
Job satisfaction--
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 42%Bachelor's Degree, 48%
Average age4646
Years of experience--

First sergeant vs police sergeant salary

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

First SergeantPolice Sergeant
Average salary$98,755$65,562
Salary rangeBetween $70,000 And $138,000Between $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 first sergeant and police sergeant education

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

First SergeantPolice Sergeant
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 42%Bachelor's Degree, 48%
Most common majorBusinessCriminal Justice
Most common collegePennsylvania State UniversityPennsylvania State University

First sergeant vs police sergeant demographics

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

First SergeantPolice Sergeant
Average age4646
Gender ratioMale, 90.4% Female, 9.6%Male, 90.2% Female, 9.8%
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, 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 first sergeant and police 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

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

First sergeant vs police sergeant skills

Common first sergeant skills
  • Personnel Actions, 20%
  • Professional Development, 11%
  • General Supervision, 7%
  • Combat, 7%
  • Logistical Support, 6%
  • Personnel Accountability, 5%
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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