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The differences between marshals and special agents can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. It typically takes 1-2 years to become both a marshal and a special agent. Additionally, a special agent has an average salary of $60,916, which is higher than the $36,029 average annual salary of a marshal.
The top three skills for a marshal include safety standards, cleanliness and sales floor. The most important skills for a special agent are professional work, national security, and local law enforcement.
| Marshal | Special Agent | |
| Yearly salary | $36,029 | $60,916 |
| Hourly rate | $17.32 | $29.29 |
| Growth rate | 3% | 3% |
| Number of jobs | 242 | 46,232 |
| Job satisfaction | - | - |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 50% | Bachelor's Degree, 68% |
| Average age | 44 | 44 |
| Years of experience | 2 | 2 |
The duties of a marshal primarily depend on their line of work or place of employment. They typically have high positions in various areas such as in the fire department, law enforcement, and even in aviation. Although the extent of their duties varies, it typically includes enforcing law and order, responding to distress, developing action plans, spearheading programs to protect lives and properties, and maintaining peace and security in facilities. Moreover, a marshal must be proactive in dealing with issues as there can be dangers on the job.
A special agent is responsible for investigating law violations and criminal activities by collecting pieces of evidence, including witnesses' testimonies, to release a warrant of arrest and initiate prosecution. Special agents work closely with other law enforcement agencies to identify threats, analyze occurring criminal activities, and connect intelligence records through observation and field investigations. They also attend court proceedings to present evidence for court decisions. A special agent must have excellent communication and critical-thinking skills, assessing unusual situations, and handling suspicious activities.
Marshals and special agents have different pay scales, as shown below.
| Marshal | Special Agent | |
| Average salary | $36,029 | $60,916 |
| Salary range | Between $26,000 And $49,000 | Between $43,000 And $85,000 |
| Highest paying City | - | Washington, DC |
| Highest paying state | - | Hawaii |
| Best paying company | - | BNSF Railway |
| Best paying industry | - | - |
There are a few differences between a marshal and a special agent in terms of educational background:
| Marshal | Special Agent | |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 50% | Bachelor's Degree, 68% |
| Most common major | Business | Criminal Justice |
| Most common college | - | - |
Here are the differences between marshals' and special agents' demographics:
| Marshal | Special Agent | |
| Average age | 44 | 44 |
| Gender ratio | Male, 66.3% Female, 33.7% | Male, 83.1% Female, 16.9% |
| Race ratio | Black or African American, 11.6% Unknown, 5.0% Hispanic or Latino, 17.0% Asian, 2.8% White, 62.9% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.7% | Black or African American, 11.8% Unknown, 5.0% Hispanic or Latino, 16.8% Asian, 2.8% White, 63.0% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.7% |
| LGBT Percentage | 9% | 9% |