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State trooper vs sheriff

The differences between state troopers and sheriffs can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. Additionally, a sheriff has an average salary of $46,053, which is higher than the $39,812 average annual salary of a state trooper.

The top three skills for a state trooper include patrol, public safety and law enforcement agencies. The most important skills for a sheriff are patrol, public safety, and emergency calls.

State trooper vs sheriff overview

State TrooperSheriff
Yearly salary$39,812$46,053
Hourly rate$19.14$22.14
Growth rate3%3%
Number of jobs630347
Job satisfaction--
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 56%Bachelor's Degree, 36%
Average age4040
Years of experience--

State trooper vs sheriff salary

State troopers and sheriffs have different pay scales, as shown below.

State TrooperSheriff
Average salary$39,812$46,053
Salary rangeBetween $31,000 And $50,000Between $30,000 And $69,000
Highest paying CityOlympia, WASanta Rosa, CA
Highest paying stateAlaskaNew York
Best paying companyWashington State UniversityApple
Best paying industryFinanceGovernment

Differences between state trooper and sheriff education

There are a few differences between a state trooper and a sheriff in terms of educational background:

State TrooperSheriff
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 56%Bachelor's Degree, 36%
Most common majorCriminal JusticeCriminal Justice
Most common collegePennsylvania State UniversityPennsylvania State University

State trooper vs sheriff demographics

Here are the differences between state troopers' and sheriffs' demographics:

State TrooperSheriff
Average age4040
Gender ratioMale, 90.1% Female, 9.9%Male, 64.7% Female, 35.3%
Race ratioBlack or African American, 12.5% Unknown, 4.4% Hispanic or Latino, 15.9% Asian, 3.8% White, 62.6% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.9%Black or African American, 10.6% Unknown, 4.6% Hispanic or Latino, 21.2% Asian, 2.9% White, 59.7% American Indian and Alaska Native, 1.0%
LGBT Percentage7%7%

Differences between state trooper and sheriff duties and responsibilities

State trooper example responsibilities.

  • Administer CPR and Narcan injections for drug overdoses.
  • Answer calls for service, provide assistance to strand motorists, DUI detection and drug interdiction.
  • Monitor potential driving under the influence motor vehicle suspects, and subsequently make DUI arrests when appropriate.
  • Require to undergo firearm proficiency/self defense tactics and be able to operate a departmental cruiser safely during patrol.
  • Provide patrol personnel with the information concerning activities of patrol, work directives and sensitive information pertaining to criminal activity.10.
  • Qualify and utilize firearms provide emergency assistance, conduct investigations, report writing and presenting testimony in a court of law.
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Sheriff example responsibilities.

  • Evaluate all investigative and patrol functions to assure public safety and security needs are met.
  • Check visitors for warrants via NCIC and CIB.
  • Provide mentor and leadership guidance a to numerous personnel within the sheriffs office.
  • Create directed patrol for gang intervention, and enhance community policing.
  • Participate in developing and implementing safety policy for firearms range operations.
  • Assist in driver education training at local high schools with an emphasis on DUI prevention.
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State trooper vs sheriff skills

Common state trooper skills
  • Patrol, 30%
  • Public Safety, 12%
  • Law Enforcement Agencies, 10%
  • Criminal Law, 5%
  • Field Training, 4%
  • Traffic Control, 4%
Common sheriff skills
  • Patrol, 31%
  • Public Safety, 7%
  • Emergency Calls, 6%
  • Booking, 5%
  • Phone Calls, 5%
  • Data Entry, 5%

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