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What is a shift commander and how to become one

Updated January 8, 2025
2 min read
ScoreShift CommanderUS Average
Salary
3.1

Avg. Salary $39,205

Avg. Salary $59,228

Diversity
2.3
Race

American Indian and Alaska Native 1.37%

Asian 1.77%

Black or African American 12.00%

Hispanic or Latino 14.80%

Unknown 3.92%

White 66.15%

Gender

female 11.83%

male 88.17%

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

Shift commander career paths

Key steps to become a shift commander

  1. Explore shift commander education requirements

    Most common shift commander degrees

    Bachelor's

    46.8 %

    Associate

    24.8 %

    High School Diploma

    12.6 %
  2. Start to develop specific shift commander skills

    SkillsPercentages
    Security Procedures14.96%
    Patrol14.86%
    Emergency Situations11.85%
    Correctional Facility6.29%
    EMS6.22%
  3. Complete relevant shift commander training and internships

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

    • Lead 50 2nd lieutenants, manage schedules, and ensure timely completion of missions.
    • Present programs to teachers, staff and students covering everything from personal safety, classroom disorder to CPR.
    • Work as booking officer due to extensive knowledge of legal paperwork and control room officer using CCTV equipment.
    • Supervise the daily patrol operations.
  5. Prepare your shift commander resume

    When your background is strong enough, you can start writing your shift commander 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 shift commander resume. You'll find resume tips and examples of skills, responsibilities, and summaries, all provided by Zippi, your career sidekick.

    Choose from 10+ customizable shift commander resume templates

    Build a professional shift commander 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 shift commander resume.
    Shift Commander Resume
    Shift Commander Resume
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    Shift Commander Resume
    Shift Commander Resume
  6. Apply for shift commander jobs

    Now it's time to start searching for a shift commander 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 shift commander job

Zippi

Are you a shift commander?

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Average shift commander salary

The average shift commander salary in the United States is $39,205 per year or $19 per hour. Shift commander salaries range between $30,000 and $50,000 per year.

Average shift commander salary
$39,205 Yearly
$18.85 hourly

What am I worth?

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How do shift commanders rate their job?

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Shift commander reviews

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A zippia user wrote a review on Nov 2023
Pros

Nobody listens to me because we are friends, now they are putting me a the position to charge them

Cons

It’s hard


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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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