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Highway patrol officer vs law enforcement officer

The differences between highway patrol officers and law enforcement officers can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. Additionally, a law enforcement officer has an average salary of $39,219, which is higher than the $38,315 average annual salary of a highway patrol officer.

The top three skills for a highway patrol officer include patrol, highway patrol and public safety. The most important skills for a law enforcement officer are patrol, public safety, and emergency situations.

Highway patrol officer vs law enforcement officer overview

Highway Patrol OfficerLaw Enforcement Officer
Yearly salary$38,315$39,219
Hourly rate$18.42$18.86
Growth rate3%3%
Number of jobs76,558105,817
Job satisfaction-4
Most common degreeAssociate Degree, 43%Bachelor's Degree, 47%
Average age4040
Years of experience--

Highway patrol officer vs law enforcement officer salary

Highway patrol officers and law enforcement officers have different pay scales, as shown below.

Highway Patrol OfficerLaw Enforcement Officer
Average salary$38,315$39,219
Salary rangeBetween $30,000 And $48,000Between $30,000 And $50,000
Highest paying City-Seattle, WA
Highest paying state-Washington
Best paying company-University of Nebraska System
Best paying industry-Government

Differences between highway patrol officer and law enforcement officer education

There are a few differences between a highway patrol officer and a law enforcement officer in terms of educational background:

Highway Patrol OfficerLaw Enforcement Officer
Most common degreeAssociate Degree, 43%Bachelor's Degree, 47%
Most common majorCriminal JusticeCriminal Justice
Most common collegeCalifornia State University - Long BeachPennsylvania State University

Highway patrol officer vs law enforcement officer demographics

Here are the differences between highway patrol officers' and law enforcement officers' demographics:

Highway Patrol OfficerLaw Enforcement Officer
Average age4040
Gender ratioMale, 84.9% Female, 15.1%Male, 80.3% Female, 19.7%
Race ratioBlack or African American, 10.0% Unknown, 4.6% Hispanic or Latino, 21.7% Asian, 2.9% White, 59.8% American Indian and Alaska Native, 1.0%Black or African American, 13.3% Unknown, 4.7% Hispanic or Latino, 18.2% Asian, 3.1% White, 59.6% American Indian and Alaska Native, 1.0%
LGBT Percentage7%7%

Differences between highway patrol officer and law enforcement officer duties and responsibilities

Highway patrol officer example responsibilities.

  • Manage surveillance of DUI traffic offenders in Jacksonville
  • Patrol an assign area on a departmentally issue motorcycle in the protection of life and property.
  • Handle security patrols, civil disturbance, criminal investigation, accident investigation and firearms certification training to local officers.
  • Manage surveillance of DUI traffic offenders in Jacksonville

Law enforcement officer example responsibilities.

  • Attend NCO leadership school and receive training on how to properly, and effectively manage personnel.
  • Accomplish scheduled and random security checks of control and classify areas to ensure compliance with DOD resource protection guidelines.
  • Develop and manage firearms training programs, including weapons selection and qualification standards.
  • Operate QRV solo, backing up BLS ambulances.
  • Certify in defensive tactics, firearms, driver's training, professional first aid and CPR.
  • DOT and FMCSA regulation enforcement.
    • Show more

Highway patrol officer vs law enforcement officer skills

Common highway patrol officer skills
  • Patrol, 46%
  • Highway Patrol, 15%
  • Public Safety, 13%
  • Field Training, 7%
  • Vehicle Inspections, 7%
  • Traffic Crashes, 2%
Common law enforcement officer skills
  • Patrol, 26%
  • Public Safety, 10%
  • Emergency Situations, 7%
  • Criminal Justice, 6%
  • CPR, 3%
  • Metal Detectors, 3%

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Updated January 8, 2025

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