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What is a sergeant first class and how to become one

Updated January 8, 2025
3 min read
There is more than meets the eye when it comes to being a sergeant first class. For example, did you know that they make an average of $47.97 an hour? That's $99,773 a year! Between 2018 and 2028, the career is expected to grow 8% and produce 28,900 job opportunities across the U.S.
ScoreSergeant First ClassUS Average
Salary
7.6

Avg. Salary $99,773

Avg. Salary $59,228

Stability level
10.0

Growth rate 8%

Growth rate 0.3%

Diversity
2.4
Race

American Indian and Alaska Native 1.37%

Asian 1.78%

Black or African American 11.21%

Hispanic or Latino 15.62%

Unknown 3.93%

White 66.08%

Gender

female 9.68%

male 90.32%

Age - 47
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 - 47
Stress level
10.0

Stress level is very high

7.1 - high

Complexity level
7.3

Complexity level is challenging

7 - challenging

Work life balance
4.6

Work life balance is fair

6.4 - fair

Sergeant first class career paths

Key steps to become a sergeant first class

  1. Explore sergeant first class education requirements

    Most common sergeant first class degrees

    Bachelor's

    47.7 %

    Associate

    29.5 %

    High School Diploma

    9.4 %
  2. Start to develop specific sergeant first class skills

    SkillsPercentages
    US Army23.04%
    Combat10.51%
    Platoon9.60%
    Logistical Support9.46%
    Property Accountability4.78%
  3. Complete relevant sergeant first class training and internships

    Accountants spend an average of 6-12 months on post-employment, on-the-job training. New sergeant first classes 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 sergeant first class based on U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics data and data from real sergeant first class resumes.
  4. Research sergeant first class duties and responsibilities

    • Manage ammunition and equipment supply operations; maintain equipment and supply inventory.
    • Provide leadership and knowledge of federal shipping and logistics regulations by managing adherence to all policies and procedures from higher headquarters.
    • Ensure compliance with DOD policies, directives, and safety procedures.
    • Use varies Microsoft programs to create flyers, PowerPoint presentations, mass mailings and email.
  5. Prepare your sergeant first class resume

    When your background is strong enough, you can start writing your sergeant first class resume.

    You can use Zippia's AI resume builder to make the resume writing process easier while also making sure that you include key information that hiring managers expect to see on a sergeant first class resume. You'll find resume tips and examples of skills, responsibilities, and summaries, all provided by Zippi, your career sidekick.

    Choose from 10+ customizable sergeant first class resume templates

    Build a professional sergeant first class resume in minutes. Browse through our resume examples to identify the best way to word your resume. Then choose from 10+ resume templates to create your sergeant first class resume.
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    Sergeant First Class Resume
    Sergeant First Class Resume
    Sergeant First Class Resume
    Sergeant First Class Resume
    Sergeant First Class Resume
    Sergeant First Class Resume
    Sergeant First Class Resume
    Sergeant First Class Resume
  6. Apply for sergeant first class jobs

    Now it's time to start searching for a sergeant first class job. Consider the tips below for a successful job search:

    1. Browse job boards for relevant postings
    2. Consult your professional network
    3. Reach out to companies you're interested in working for directly
    4. Watch out for job scams

How did you land your first sergeant first class job

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Average sergeant first class salary

The average sergeant first class salary in the United States is $99,773 per year or $48 per hour. Sergeant first class salaries range between $71,000 and $138,000 per year.

Average sergeant first class salary
$99,773 Yearly
$47.97 hourly

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Updated January 8, 2025

Zippia Research Team
Zippia Team

Editorial Staff

The Zippia Research Team has spent countless hours reviewing resumes, job postings, and government data to determine what goes into getting a job in each phase of life. Professional writers and data scientists comprise the Zippia Research Team.

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