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Police detective vs master sergeant

The differences between police detectives and master sergeants can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. Additionally, a master sergeant has an average salary of $98,276, which is higher than the $52,087 average annual salary of a police detective.

The top three skills for a police detective include patrol, law enforcement agencies and criminal cases. The most important skills for a master sergeant are logistical support, combat, and NCO.

Police detective vs master sergeant overview

Police DetectiveMaster Sergeant
Yearly salary$52,087$98,276
Hourly rate$25.04$47.25
Growth rate3%3%
Number of jobs74,9588,608
Job satisfaction--
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 51%Associate Degree, 42%
Average age4646
Years of experience--

Police detective vs master sergeant salary

Police detectives and master sergeants have different pay scales, as shown below.

Police DetectiveMaster Sergeant
Average salary$52,087$98,276
Salary rangeBetween $38,000 And $71,000Between $69,000 And $138,000
Highest paying City--
Highest paying state--
Best paying company--
Best paying industry--

Differences between police detective and master sergeant education

There are a few differences between a police detective and a master sergeant in terms of educational background:

Police DetectiveMaster Sergeant
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 51%Associate Degree, 42%
Most common majorCriminal JusticeBusiness
Most common collegePennsylvania State UniversityPennsylvania State University

Police detective vs master sergeant demographics

Here are the differences between police detectives' and master sergeants' demographics:

Police DetectiveMaster Sergeant
Average age4646
Gender ratioMale, 87.4% Female, 12.6%Male, 90.0% Female, 10.0%
Race ratioBlack or African American, 10.5% Unknown, 3.9% Hispanic or Latino, 15.5% Asian, 1.8% White, 66.9% American Indian and Alaska Native, 1.4%Black or African American, 10.9% Unknown, 3.9% Hispanic or Latino, 15.7% Asian, 1.8% White, 66.3% American Indian and Alaska Native, 1.4%
LGBT Percentage11%11%

Differences between police detective and master sergeant duties and responsibilities

Police detective example responsibilities.

  • Plan, manage, develop, implement and revise the training FTO program, as needed.
  • Complete applications for arrest, subpoenas, search and seizure warrants, etc.
  • Serve criminal and civil subpoenas, confer with attorneys and assist in the preparation of cases for trial.
  • Maintain and repair department issue firearms.
  • Conduct investigations ranging from disorderly persons offenses to homicide.
  • Network with co-workers to improve initial investigation techniques in the patrol division.
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Master sergeant example responsibilities.

  • Mentore and participate in and lead adaptive sports programs while receiving treatment for injuries sustain in Afghanistan during combat operations.
  • Provide leadership and knowledge of federal shipping and logistics regulations by managing adherence to all policies and procedures from higher headquarters.
  • Demonstrate training expertise for newly assign airmen, qualifying six technicians 4 months early.
  • Institute DoD mandate smart card log on; improve network security and reduce network threats.
  • Determine methods and approaches for program objectives and ensure compliance with DOD, and CJCS policies and priorities.
  • Ensure training and certification of airmen in the installation, removal, and testing of aircraft weapons system.
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Police detective vs master sergeant skills

Common police detective skills
  • Patrol, 11%
  • Law Enforcement Agencies, 9%
  • Criminal Cases, 9%
  • Local Laws, 7%
  • Evidence Collection, 6%
  • Criminal Law, 6%
Common master sergeant skills
  • Logistical Support, 13%
  • Combat, 8%
  • NCO, 6%
  • Human Resources, 6%
  • Professional Development, 4%
  • Training Programs, 4%

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