How To Become A Patrol Deputy Sheriff: What It Is and Career Path

What is a patrol deputy sheriff and how to become one

Updated January 8, 2025

2 min read

Quoted expert

Dr. Durmus Alper CAMLIBEL Ph.D.

There is more than meets the eye when it comes to being a patrol deputy sheriff. For example, did you know that they make an average of $23.1 an hour? That's $48,048 a year! Between 2018 and 2028, the career is expected to grow 3% and produce 20,600 job opportunities across the U.S.

What general advice would you give to a patrol deputy sheriff?

Dr. Durmus Alper CAMLIBEL Ph.D.

Assistant Professor, University of Wisconsin - Oshkosh

They need to avoid being overzealous officers. They should not put their career at the center of their life. They need to spend quality time with their family. In law enforcement, good relations with the public and colleagues are essential. They need to develop good relationships with the people and their colleagues and expand their professional network. They always try to be a "problem solver officer" rather than a "problem creator officer." If someone asks for help from them, they should treat this person with dignity and respect. They should avoid being arrogant in their interaction with the public. Because arrogance is the worst plague, and Humility is the greatest virtue.

ScorePatrol Deputy SheriffUS Average

Salary

3.8

Avg. Salary $48,048

Avg. Salary $59,228

Stability level

10.0

Growth rate 3%

Growth rate 0.3%

Diversity

6.1

Race

American Indian and Alaska Native 0.94%

Asian 3.67%

Black or African American 13.88%

Hispanic or Latino 16.33%

Unknown 4.42%

White 60.77%

Gender

female 12.55%

male 87.45%

Age - 39

Race

American Indian and Alaska Native 3.00%

Asian 7.00%

Black or African American 14.00%

Hispanic or Latino 19.00%

White 57.00%

Gender

female 47.00%

male 53.00%

Age - 39

Stress level

10.0

Stress level is very high

7.1 - high

Complexity level

9.1

Complexity level is advanced

7 - challenging

Work life balance

4.8

Work life balance is fair

6.4 - fair

Key steps to become a patrol deputy sheriff

Explore patrol deputy sheriff education requirements

Most common patrol deputy sheriff degrees

Bachelor's

40.5 %

Associate

34.6 %

High School Diploma

11.0 %

Start to develop specific patrol deputy sheriff skills

Skills	Percentages
Patrol	29.32%
Crime Scenes	5.91%
Law Enforcement Agencies	5.23%
Public Safety	4.06%
CPR	3.72%

Complete relevant patrol deputy sheriff training and internships

Accountants spend an average of 1-3 months on post-employment, on-the-job training. New patrol deputy sheriffs learn the skills and techniques required for their job and employer during this time. The chart below shows how long it takes to gain competency as a patrol deputy sheriff based on U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics data and data from real patrol deputy sheriff resumes.

Research patrol deputy sheriff duties and responsibilities

Hire and manage credit officers responsible for Citigroup's new commodity derivatives business in Houston.
Render first aid or CPR if need.
Execute warrants and subpoenas and participate in special operations.
Patrol deputy enforcing county laws and highway enforcement to include drug interdiction and special assignments.

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