Sheriffs and Deputy Sheriffs: Salary, Job Description, How To Become One, and Quiz

Stan T.Career, Overview

Sheriffs and Deputy Sheriffs

Sheriffs and Deputy Sheriffs enforce law and order in rural or unincorporated districts or serve legal processes of courts. May patrol courthouse, guard court or grand jury, or escort defendants.

Salary
$70000
Becoming One
Medium
Education
No degree required
Job Satisfaction
Job Growth

Personality
Interest Match



Job description

Sheriffs and Deputy Sheriffs enforce law and order in rural or unincorporated districts or serve legal processes of courts. May patrol courthouse, guard court or grand jury, or escort defendants.

  • Investigate illegal or suspicious activities.
  • Drive vehicles or patrol specific areas to detect law violators, issue citations, and make arrests.
  • Take control of accident scenes to maintain traffic flow, to assist accident victims, and to investigate causes.
  • Verify that the proper legal charges have been made against law offenders.
Read more about what does a Sheriff and Deputy Sheriff really do at work and what is it like being and working as one.



Salary

Average salary
$65400 per year

Average hourly wage
$31 per hour


Sheriffs and Deputy Sheriffs with little to no experience tend to make between $35750 and $45740 while the more experienced ones can earn over $81730 per year.

Top 5 paying states Hourly Annual
CA $49 $101,380
AK $42 $88,030
NJ $40 $83,720
WA $37 $77,670
IL $36 $75,720

One of the easiest ways to increase your salary as a Sheriff and Deputy Sheriff is to move to a higher paying state like CA. Right now, the highest paying states for Sheriffs and Deputy Sheriffs are CA, AK, NJ, WA and IL.

However, a higher pay at CA doesn’t guarantee that you will make more because the living expenses at CA might be twice as high than where you are currently at now.

Three other factors that can increase your salary as a Sheriff and Deputy Sheriff is the degree you hold, the industry you work in, and lastly the company you work for.


Requirements

Recommended degree level
No degree required

We asked other Sheriffs and Deputy Sheriffs what degree they had when they got the job and most of them said they had a High School Diploma followed by a Post-Secondary Certificate.

Other than that, we also asked them what did they major in and here are the most popular majors that came up.

Natural Resources Law Enforcement and Protective Services
Criminal Justice/Police Science
Criminalistics and Criminal Science
Law Enforcement Investigation and Interviewing
Law Enforcement Record-Keeping and Evidence Management
Read more about how to become a Sheriff and Deputy Sheriff and the degree, training and education you need.

Pros and Cons

Here are some of the pros and cons of being a Sheriff and Deputy Sheriff.

PROS
Suitable for people who likes to start and carry out projects
Suitable for people who values achievements and are results-oriented
This career is perfect for people who love to work both indoors and outdoors.
It is not too difficult to get into this career. Previous work-related skill, knowledge, or experience is required for this career.
Demand for this career is growing
CONS
Not suitable for people who likes to work with designs
Long working hours (More than 40 hours per week)

What is the job like

Job satisfaction
70%

Is this job meaningful
72%


70% of Sheriffs and Deputy Sheriffs said they were satisfied with their job and 72% said they feel like their job is making other people’s lives better.


Is this right for me

Best personality for this career
The Entrepreneurs and The Builders

You can read more about these career personality types here.

People who are suitable for this job tends to like starting up and carrying out projects. They like leading people and making many decisions. Sometimes they require risk taking and often deal with business..

They also like work activities that include practical, hands-on problems and solutions. They like working with plants, animals, and real-world materials like wood, tools, and machinery.



Learn more about Sheriffs and Deputy Sheriffs

Summary (You are here)
Job Description
Salary
Requirements
Quiz

Related career information

Sheriffs and Deputy Sheriffs job description, Sheriffs and Deputy Sheriffs salary, Sheriffs and Deputy Sheriffs information, what is the job of a Sheriff and Deputy Sheriff like, pros and cons about Sheriffs and Deputy Sheriffs, colleges and universities for Sheriffs and Deputy Sheriffs, is Sheriffs and Deputy Sheriffs the right career for me, careers in Criminal Justice and Law Enforcement

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