K9 handler vs special deputy sheriff

The differences between k9 handlers and special deputy sheriffs can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. Additionally, a special deputy sheriff has an average salary of $47,782, which is higher than the $40,958 average annual salary of a k9 handler.

The top three skills for a k9 handler include patrol, explosive detection and public safety. The most important skills for a special deputy sheriff are patrol, emergency situations, and public safety.

K9 handler vs special deputy sheriff overview

	K9 Handler	Special Deputy Sheriff
Yearly salary	$40,958	$47,782
Hourly rate	$19.69	$22.97
Growth rate	3%	3%
Number of jobs	26,096	12,392
Job satisfaction	-	-
Most common degree	Bachelor's Degree, 31%	Bachelor's Degree, 44%
Average age	40	40
Years of experience	-	-

K9 handler vs special deputy sheriff salary

K9 handlers and special deputy sheriffs have different pay scales, as shown below.

	K9 Handler	Special Deputy Sheriff
Average salary	$40,958	$47,782
Salary range	Between $31,000 And $53,000	Between $32,000 And $70,000
Highest paying City	-	-
Highest paying state	-	-
Best paying company	-	-
Best paying industry	-	-

Differences between k9 handler and special deputy sheriff education

There are a few differences between a k9 handler and a special deputy sheriff in terms of educational background:

	K9 Handler	Special Deputy Sheriff
Most common degree	Bachelor's Degree, 31%	Bachelor's Degree, 44%
Most common major	Criminal Justice	Criminal Justice
Most common college	California State University - Bakersfield	California State University - Long Beach

K9 handler vs special deputy sheriff demographics

Here are the differences between k9 handlers' and special deputy sheriffs' demographics:

	K9 Handler	Special Deputy Sheriff
Average age	40	40
Gender ratio	Male, 82.9% Female, 17.1%	Male, 79.7% Female, 20.3%
Race ratio	Black or African American, 13.0% Unknown, 4.8% Hispanic or Latino, 16.9% Asian, 3.3% White, 60.9% American Indian and Alaska Native, 1.1%	Black or African American, 10.5% Unknown, 4.4% Hispanic or Latino, 14.2% Asian, 3.3% White, 66.8% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.9%
LGBT Percentage	7%	7%

Differences between k9 handler and special deputy sheriff duties and responsibilities

K9 handler example responsibilities.

Hire and manage credit officers responsible for Citigroup's new commodity derivatives business in Houston.
Provide technical guidance to soldiers on ammunition safety matters and other relate ammunition items.
Maintain accurate record for MWD certification.
Serve warrants, subpoenas and civil documents.
Search vehicles at ECP with PEDD for explosives.
Maintain sanitation, kennel cleanliness and MWD heath.

Special deputy sheriff example responsibilities.

Hire and manage credit officers responsible for Citigroup's new commodity derivatives business in Houston.
Complete multiple special duty assignments ranging from patrol duty to traffic management for construction sites.
Patrol an assign area to prevent crime, apprehend suspects, control traffic, enforce laws and regulations.
Serve active warrants and subpoenas, monitor and investigate suspicions persons and situations and unusual activities.
Hire and manage credit officers responsible for Citigroup's new commodity derivatives business in Houston.

K9 handler vs special deputy sheriff skills

Common k9 handler skills

Patrol, 26%
Explosive Detection, 16%
Public Safety, 13%
CPR, 12%
Emergency Situations, 8%
Law Enforcement Agencies, 5%

Common special deputy sheriff skills

Patrol, 38%
Emergency Situations, 23%
Public Safety, 7%
Law Enforcement Agencies, 6%
Field Training, 6%
District Court, 6%

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K9 Handler
K9 Handler vs Special Deputy Sheriff

Updated January 8, 2025

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