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Parole officer vs police officer

The differences between parole officers and police officers can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. Additionally, a police officer has an average salary of $52,638, which is higher than the $45,474 average annual salary of a parole officer.

The top three skills for a parole officer include sex offenders, criminal justice and social work. The most important skills for a police officer are patrol, public safety, and law enforcement agencies.

Parole officer vs police officer overview

Parole OfficerPolice Officer
Yearly salary$45,474$52,638
Hourly rate$21.86$25.31
Growth rate-3%
Number of jobs55,945116,287
Job satisfaction-2
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 75%Bachelor's Degree, 49%
Average age4440
Years of experience4-

Parole officer vs police officer salary

Parole officers and police officers have different pay scales, as shown below.

Parole OfficerPolice Officer
Average salary$45,474$52,638
Salary rangeBetween $31,000 And $66,000Between $38,000 And $71,000
Highest paying CityDenver, COAnchorage, AK
Highest paying stateCaliforniaAlaska
Best paying companyState of ConnecticutIcma-rc
Best paying industryNon ProfitsGovernment

Differences between parole officer and police officer education

There are a few differences between a parole officer and a police officer in terms of educational background:

Parole OfficerPolice Officer
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 75%Bachelor's Degree, 49%
Most common majorCriminal JusticeCriminal Justice
Most common collegeCalifornia State University - Long BeachPennsylvania State University

Parole officer vs police officer demographics

Here are the differences between parole officers' and police officers' demographics:

Parole OfficerPolice Officer
Average age4440
Gender ratioMale, 48.5% Female, 51.5%Male, 83.2% Female, 16.8%
Race ratioBlack or African American, 13.7% Unknown, 2.6% Hispanic or Latino, 19.7% Asian, 2.4% White, 60.7% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.9%Black or African American, 12.9% Unknown, 4.6% Hispanic or Latino, 18.2% Asian, 3.3% White, 60.0% American Indian and Alaska Native, 1.0%
LGBT Percentage10%7%

Differences between parole officer and police officer duties and responsibilities

Parole officer example responsibilities.

  • Manage significant DUI caseload to court-ordered and conditional probation completion.
  • Monitor clients every movement through GPS equipment provide by the division.
  • Perform random drug testing, monitor GPS equipment, install GPS monitoring on high risk offenders.
  • Perform superior case management responsibilities; serve subpoenas and request warrant issuance.
  • Comply information on clients' social and legal history in order to formulate effective rehabilitation strategies.
  • Prepare documents including information in computer base management system, warrants, subpoenas, other legal documents etc.
  • Show more

Police officer example responsibilities.

  • Apprehend violators and log evidence, complete require USAF and DoD forms, and accomplish report.
  • Train in CPR and first aid, radar speed enforcement, domestic violence intervention, pepper spray, and basic anti-terrorism.
  • Gather preliminary investigation information as a first responder to crime scenes.
  • Perform basic patrol functions including criminal and traffic law enforcement, incident reporting and community relations.
  • Complete numerous testimonies at criminal hearings and traffic violations, serve summons, subpoenas and other official documentation.
  • Patrol MARTA trains and bus lines.
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Parole officer vs police officer skills

Common parole officer skills
  • Sex Offenders, 15%
  • Criminal Justice, 12%
  • Social Work, 8%
  • Public Safety, 8%
  • Substance Abuse, 6%
  • Mental Health, 5%
Common police officer skills
  • Patrol, 27%
  • Public Safety, 6%
  • Law Enforcement Agencies, 5%
  • Emergency Situations, 5%
  • Field Training, 4%
  • CPR, 3%

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