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Cadet salary
Average cadet salary
$41,427
Average Cadet Salary
The average cadet salary is reported at $41,427 per year. This figure can vary significantly based on factors like location, years of experience, and the specific field of work. For instance, cadets in specialized training programs may earn more due to increased responsibilities. Understanding the salary landscape is vital for prospective cadets, especially when considering positions in high-demand sectors such as law enforcement and aviation.
Salary by State
Cadet salaries differ across states. For example, states with a high cost of living may offer higher salaries to attract talent. Researching the highest paying states for cadets can provide insights into potential earnings. Typically, urban areas tend to have a higher demand for cadets, which can translate into better pay.
Job Opportunities
In addition to salary, cadets should consider job prospects in their desired fields. Positions in law enforcement, military, and emergency services are common pathways. It's beneficial to explore local recruitment trends and connect with organizations actively hiring cadets. Utilizing platforms like Zippia can streamline your job search and provide you with relevant opportunities.
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Where can a Cadet earn more?
Cadet salary estimates from across the web
Average cadet salary by state
The average cadet salary in New Jersey, Delaware, and New York are the highest in the U.S. The lowest average cadet salary states are Oklahoma, Mississippi, and Nebraska.
- State view
- County view
Highest paying states for cadets
| Rank | State | Avg. salary | Hourly rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | New Jersey | $64,888 | $31.20 |
| 2 | Maryland | $63,895 | $30.72 |
| 3 | New York | $63,913 | $30.73 |
| 4 | District of Columbia | $63,793 | $30.67 |
| 5 | Delaware | $64,427 | $30.97 |
| 6 | Connecticut | $60,236 | $28.96 |
| 7 | Rhode Island | $56,877 | $27.34 |
| 8 | Louisiana | $49,666 | $23.88 |
| 9 | Virginia | $52,810 | $25.39 |
| 10 | Nevada | $50,070 | $24.07 |
| 11 | Illinois | $54,937 | $26.41 |
| 12 | Massachusetts | $54,166 | $26.04 |
| 13 | Iowa | $51,550 | $24.78 |
| 14 | Ohio | $50,059 | $24.07 |
| 15 | South Carolina | $44,511 | $21.40 |
| 16 | North Carolina | $47,166 | $22.68 |
| 17 | Michigan | $44,895 | $21.58 |
| 18 | Pennsylvania | $49,505 | $23.80 |
| 19 | New Hampshire | $51,005 | $24.52 |
| 20 | Montana | $42,846 | $20.60 |
| 21 | Minnesota | $44,549 | $21.42 |
| 22 | Kansas | $47,860 | $23.01 |
| 23 | Wyoming | $39,592 | $19.03 |
| 24 | Arizona | $41,597 | $20.00 |
| 25 | South Dakota | $43,326 | $20.83 |
| 26 | Vermont | $48,035 | $23.09 |
| 27 | Washington | $42,496 | $20.43 |
| 28 | Kentucky | $44,214 | $21.26 |
| 29 | Texas | $41,039 | $19.73 |
| 30 | Idaho | $39,017 | $18.76 |
| 31 | West Virginia | $43,724 | $21.02 |
| 32 | Alaska | $40,335 | $19.39 |
| 33 | Alabama | $40,730 | $19.58 |
| 34 | New Mexico | $37,328 | $17.95 |
| 35 | Florida | $39,438 | $18.96 |
| 36 | Wisconsin | $40,165 | $19.31 |
| 37 | Hawaii | $44,685 | $21.48 |
| 38 | Tennessee | $38,006 | $18.27 |
| 39 | California | $39,412 | $18.95 |
| 40 | Georgia | $38,565 | $18.54 |
| 41 | Indiana | $39,338 | $18.91 |
| 42 | Oklahoma | $36,546 | $17.57 |
| 43 | North Dakota | $38,811 | $18.66 |
| 44 | Maine | $38,941 | $18.72 |
| 45 | Utah | $34,219 | $16.45 |
| 46 | Arkansas | $36,930 | $17.75 |
| 47 | Oregon | $39,797 | $19.13 |
| 48 | Missouri | $34,937 | $16.80 |
| 49 | Nebraska | $35,342 | $16.99 |
| 50 | Colorado | $33,958 | $16.33 |
| 51 | Mississippi | $35,754 | $17.19 |
Highest paying cities for cadets
The highest-paying cities for cadets are Baltimore, MD, Peoria, IL, and Port Huron, MI.
| Rank | City | Avg. salary | Hourly rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Baltimore, MD | $64,058 | $30.80 |
| 2 | Peoria, IL | $52,040 | $25.02 |
| 3 | Port Huron, MI | $44,787 | $21.53 |
| 4 | Charlotte, NC | $44,646 | $21.46 |
| 5 | Seattle, WA | $42,731 | $20.54 |
| 6 | McAllen, TX | $42,562 | $20.46 |
| 7 | Phoenix, AZ | $41,600 | $20.00 |
| 8 | Oakland, CA | $41,354 | $19.88 |
| 9 | Miami, FL | $39,501 | $18.99 |
| 10 | Indianapolis, IN | $39,041 | $18.77 |
| 11 | Chattanooga, TN | $38,287 | $18.41 |
| 12 | Hobbs, NM | $38,179 | $18.36 |
| 13 | Stillwater, OK | $36,370 | $17.49 |
| 14 | West Jordan, UT | $34,140 | $16.41 |
Cadet salary details
A cadet's salary ranges from $26,000 a year at the 10th percentile to $64,000 at the 90th percentile.
What is a cadet's salary?
| Percentile | Annual salary | Monthly salary | Hourly rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| 90th Percentile | $64,000 | $5,333 | $31 |
| 75th Percentile | $52,000 | $4,333 | $25 |
| Average | $41,427 | $3,452 | $20 |
| 25th Percentile | $32,000 | $2,667 | $15 |
| 10th Percentile | $26,000 | $2,167 | $13 |
Highest paying cadet jobs
The highest paying types of cadets are deck cadet, deck seaman, and merchant marine.
| Job title | Annual salary | Monthly salary | Hourly rate | Job openings |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Bosun | $52,884 | $4,407 | $25.43 | 143 |
| Able Bodied Seaman | $54,062 | $4,505 | $25.99 | 422 |
| Ordinary Seaman | $52,664 | $4,389 | $25.32 | 169 |
| Tankerman | $52,133 | $4,344 | $25.06 | 459 |
| Deckhand | $56,163 | $4,680 | $27.00 | 500 |
| Captain | $52,161 | $4,347 | $25.08 | 4,430 |
Which companies pay cadets the most?
Cadet salaries at University of Houston-Clear Lake and Advantage Sales & Marketing are the highest-paying according to our most recent salary estimates. In addition, the average cadet salary at companies like Carnival Cruise Line and Advantage Solutions are highly competitive.
| Rank | Company | Average salary | Hourly rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | University of Houston-Clear Lake | $72,219 | $34.72 |
| 2 | Advantage Sales & Marketing | $42,357 | $20.36 |
| 3 | Carnival Cruise Line | $41,872 | $20.13 |
| 4 | Advantage Solutions | $41,481 | $19.94 |
| 5 | Centerline Logistics | $40,046 | $19.25 |
| 6 | City of Round Rock | $39,722 | $19.10 |
| 7 | The GEO Group | $38,029 | $18.28 |
| 8 | AMIkids | $37,851 | $18.20 |
| 9 | Best Buy | $37,658 | $18.10 |
| 10 | Tennessee Valley Authority | $36,795 | $17.69 |
| 11 | PSA Airlines | $36,615 | $17.60 |
| 12 | Mesa Airlines | $35,213 | $16.93 |
| 13 | Kelly Services | $35,055 | $16.85 |
| 14 | Adams County Government Center | $34,296 | $16.49 |
| 15 | Escambia County Sheriff's Office | $33,081 | $15.90 |
| 16 | Indiana State Police | $31,312 | $15.05 |
| 17 | St. Clair County Community Mental Health | $28,258 | $13.59 |
Wage gap by gender, race and education
Cadet salary trends
The average cadet salary has risen by $7,488 over the last ten years. In 2014, the average cadet earned $33,939 annually, but today, they earn $41,427 a year. That works out to a 7% change in pay for cadets over the last decade.
Compare cadet salaries for cities or states with the national average over time.
Average cadet salary over time
Compare cadet salaries for individual cities or states with the national average.
Cadet salary by year
| Year | Avg. salary | Hourly rate | % Change |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | $41,400 | $19.92 | +3.2% |
| 2024 | $40,100 | $19.28 | +5.9% |
| 2023 | $37,700 | $18.13 | +0.4% |
| 2022 | $37,600 | $18.06 | -3.3% |
| 2021 | $38,800 | $18.65 | +1.9% |
Recently added cadet salaries
| Company | Job | Location | Date added | Salary |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| City of Indianapolis (In | Impd Cadet Program | Indianapolis, IN | 06/25/2025 | $32,995 |
| Cumberland County, Nc | Blet Cadet-Winter 2026 Pre-Processing With | Fayetteville, NC | 06/13/2025 | $50,750 |
| City of Columbia | Fire Cadet | Columbia, TN | 06/12/2025 | $32,140 |
| National Testing Network | Entry Pd/Cadet/Lateral Trans | New Franklin, OH | 06/10/2025 | $50,672 |
| City of Indianapolis (In | Impd Cadet Program | Indianapolis, IN | 05/24/2025 | $32,995 |
| City of Indianapolis and Marion County | Impd Cadet Program | Indianapolis, IN | 05/23/2025 | $32,995 |
| City of Pensacola | Fire Cadet | Pensacola, FL | 05/21/2025 | $29,218 |
| State of Wisconsin | Cadet Specialist-Objective (Team Leader) | Tony, WI | 05/09/2025 | $55,139 |
| Las Vegas Metropolitan Police Department | Cadet | Las Vegas, NV | 05/07/2025 | $43,770 |
| Broward County Sheriff's Office (Fl | Cadet-Department of Law Enforcement | Fort Lauderdale, FL | 04/22/2025 | $61,969 |
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