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Policeman vs law enforcement officer

The differences between policemen and law enforcement officers can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. Additionally, a policeman has an average salary of $47,067, which is higher than the $39,219 average annual salary of a law enforcement officer.

The top three skills for a policeman include patrol, public safety and emergency situations. The most important skills for a law enforcement officer are patrol, public safety, and emergency situations.

Policeman vs law enforcement officer overview

PolicemanLaw Enforcement Officer
Yearly salary$47,067$39,219
Hourly rate$22.63$18.86
Growth rate3%3%
Number of jobs456105,817
Job satisfaction-4
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 39%Bachelor's Degree, 47%
Average age4040
Years of experience--

Policeman vs law enforcement officer salary

Policemen and law enforcement officers have different pay scales, as shown below.

PolicemanLaw Enforcement Officer
Average salary$47,067$39,219
Salary rangeBetween $28,000 And $76,000Between $30,000 And $50,000
Highest paying City-Seattle, WA
Highest paying state-Washington
Best paying company-University of Nebraska System
Best paying industry-Government

Differences between policeman and law enforcement officer education

There are a few differences between a policeman and a law enforcement officer in terms of educational background:

PolicemanLaw Enforcement Officer
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 39%Bachelor's Degree, 47%
Most common majorCriminal JusticeCriminal Justice
Most common collegeCalifornia State University - BakersfieldPennsylvania State University

Policeman vs law enforcement officer demographics

Here are the differences between policemen' and law enforcement officers' demographics:

PolicemanLaw Enforcement Officer
Average age4040
Gender ratioMale, 95.1% Female, 4.9%Male, 80.3% Female, 19.7%
Race ratioBlack or African American, 12.0% Unknown, 4.5% Hispanic or Latino, 17.5% Asian, 3.6% White, 61.5% American Indian and Alaska Native, 1.0%Black or African American, 13.3% Unknown, 4.7% Hispanic or Latino, 18.2% Asian, 3.1% White, 59.6% American Indian and Alaska Native, 1.0%
LGBT Percentage7%7%

Differences between policeman and law enforcement officer duties and responsibilities

Policeman example responsibilities.

  • Develop and manage firearms training programs, including weapons selection and qualification standards.
  • Train in military law enforcement, physical security, real-area combat operations and combat support.
  • Serve warrants and subpoenas; transports prisoners and assists in booking and jailing prisoners; appears in court.
  • Locate and serve reluctant witnesses with subpoenas for various criminal proceedings.
  • Maintain proficiency of assign military working dog in explosive detection and patrol.
  • Perform military policeman duties in a reserve combat support military police company.
    • Show more

Law enforcement officer example responsibilities.

  • Attend NCO leadership school and receive training on how to properly, and effectively manage personnel.
  • Accomplish scheduled and random security checks of control and classify areas to ensure compliance with DOD resource protection guidelines.
  • Develop and manage firearms training programs, including weapons selection and qualification standards.
  • Operate QRV solo, backing up BLS ambulances.
  • Certify in defensive tactics, firearms, driver's training, professional first aid and CPR.
  • DOT and FMCSA regulation enforcement.
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Policeman vs law enforcement officer skills

Common policeman skills
  • Patrol, 27%
  • Public Safety, 12%
  • Emergency Situations, 8%
  • Combat, 6%
  • Traffic Control, 5%
  • Physical Security, 4%
Common law enforcement officer skills
  • Patrol, 26%
  • Public Safety, 10%
  • Emergency Situations, 7%
  • Criminal Justice, 6%
  • CPR, 3%
  • Metal Detectors, 3%

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Updated January 8, 2025

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