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Highway patrol officer vs police cadet

The differences between highway patrol officers and police cadets can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. Additionally, a highway patrol officer has an average salary of $38,315, which is higher than the $33,243 average annual salary of a police cadet.

The top three skills for a highway patrol officer include patrol, highway patrol and public safety. The most important skills for a police cadet are patrol, traffic control, and public safety.

Highway patrol officer vs police cadet overview

Highway Patrol OfficerPolice Cadet
Yearly salary$38,315$33,243
Hourly rate$18.42$15.98
Growth rate3%3%
Number of jobs76,55894,220
Job satisfaction--
Most common degreeAssociate Degree, 43%Bachelor's Degree, 44%
Average age4040
Years of experience--

Highway patrol officer vs police cadet salary

Highway patrol officers and police cadets have different pay scales, as shown below.

Highway Patrol OfficerPolice Cadet
Average salary$38,315$33,243
Salary rangeBetween $30,000 And $48,000Between $23,000 And $47,000
Highest paying City-Minneapolis, MN
Highest paying state-Alaska
Best paying company-Meridian Township
Best paying industry-Government

Differences between highway patrol officer and police cadet education

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

Highway Patrol OfficerPolice Cadet
Most common degreeAssociate Degree, 43%Bachelor's Degree, 44%
Most common majorCriminal JusticeCriminal Justice
Most common collegeCalifornia State University - Long BeachUniversity of North Carolina at Chapel Hill

Highway patrol officer vs police cadet demographics

Here are the differences between highway patrol officers' and police cadets' demographics:

Highway Patrol OfficerPolice Cadet
Average age4040
Gender ratioMale, 84.9% Female, 15.1%Male, 63.4% Female, 36.6%
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, 11.3% Unknown, 4.6% Hispanic or Latino, 21.7% Asian, 2.9% White, 58.5% American Indian and Alaska Native, 1.0%
LGBT Percentage7%7%

Differences between highway patrol officer and police cadet 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

Police cadet example responsibilities.

  • Process requests for background record checks for a variety of agencies using RMS.
  • Prepare teletype requests to run serialize firearms; input data from all seize firearms into CLETS.
  • Perform clerical tasks, filing, data entry, payroll and information research/investigation with NCIC 2000 and SCIC.
  • Automate tow notification process within RMS system.
  • Perform preventative maintenance inspections, routinely servicing minor repairs on equipment and patrol vehicles.
  • General law enforcement responsibilities including dispatch, jail, patrol, investigations, undercover vice/narcotics and supervision.
  • Show more

Highway patrol officer vs police cadet skills

Common highway patrol officer skills
  • Patrol, 46%
  • Highway Patrol, 15%
  • Public Safety, 13%
  • Field Training, 7%
  • Vehicle Inspections, 7%
  • Traffic Crashes, 2%
Common police cadet skills
  • Patrol, 18%
  • Traffic Control, 10%
  • Public Safety, 8%
  • Police Academy, 7%
  • Parking Enforcement, 5%
  • Criminal Justice, 4%

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