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Town marshal vs sheriff

The differences between town marshals 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 $39,763 average annual salary of a town marshal.

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

Town marshal vs sheriff overview

Town MarshalSheriff
Yearly salary$39,763$46,053
Hourly rate$19.12$22.14
Growth rate3%3%
Number of jobs263347
Job satisfaction--
Most common degreeAssociate Degree, 35%Bachelor's Degree, 36%
Average age4040
Years of experience--

Town marshal vs sheriff salary

Town marshals and sheriffs have different pay scales, as shown below.

Town MarshalSheriff
Average salary$39,763$46,053
Salary rangeBetween $30,000 And $51,000Between $30,000 And $69,000
Highest paying City-Santa Rosa, CA
Highest paying state-New York
Best paying company-Apple
Best paying industry-Government

Differences between town marshal and sheriff education

There are a few differences between a town marshal and a sheriff in terms of educational background:

Town MarshalSheriff
Most common degreeAssociate Degree, 35%Bachelor's Degree, 36%
Most common majorCriminal JusticeCriminal Justice
Most common collegeCalifornia State University - Long BeachPennsylvania State University

Town marshal vs sheriff demographics

Here are the differences between town marshals' and sheriffs' demographics:

Town MarshalSheriff
Average age4040
Gender ratioMale, 96.2% Female, 3.8%Male, 64.7% Female, 35.3%
Race ratioBlack or African American, 7.1% Unknown, 4.2% Hispanic or Latino, 12.9% Asian, 3.3% White, 71.6% 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 town marshal and sheriff duties and responsibilities

Town marshal example responsibilities.

  • Patrol specific area on foot, horseback, or motorize conveyance, responding promptly to call for assistance.
  • Execute warrants and subpoenas and participate in special operations.
  • Respond to clients who receive judgments eviction notice, eviction warrants and NYCHA petitions.

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.
  • Show more

Town marshal vs sheriff skills

Common town marshal skills
  • Patrol, 50%
  • Law Enforcement, 24%
  • Public Safety, 16%
  • Motor Vehicle, 10%
Common sheriff skills
  • Patrol, 31%
  • Public Safety, 7%
  • Emergency Calls, 6%
  • Booking, 5%
  • Phone Calls, 5%
  • Data Entry, 5%

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