Life As a Sheriff or Deputy Sheriff
Sheriff or Deputy Sheriff Example 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.
Life As a Sheriff or Deputy Sheriff: What Do They Do?
- Execute arrest warrants, locating and taking persons into custody.
- Verify that the proper legal charges have been made against law offenders.
- Manage jail operations and tend to jail inmates.
- Drive vehicles or patrol specific areas to detect law violators, issue citations, and make arrests.
- Investigate illegal or suspicious activities.
- Patrol and guard courthouses, grand jury rooms, or assigned areas to provide security, enforce laws, maintain order, and arrest violators.
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Sheriff or Deputy Sheriff Required Skills
Sheriffs and Deputy Sheriffs state the following job skills are important in their day-to-day work.
Speaking: Talking to others to convey information effectively.
Social Perceptiveness: Being aware of others’ reactions and understanding why they react as they do.
Active Listening: Giving full attention to what other people are saying, taking time to understand the points being made, asking questions as appropriate, and not interrupting at inappropriate times.
Critical Thinking: Using logic and reasoning to identify the strengths and weaknesses of alternative solutions, conclusions or approaches to problems.
Judgment and Decision Making: Considering the relative costs and benefits of potential actions to choose the most appropriate one.
Negotiation: Bringing others together and trying to reconcile differences.
Types of Sheriff or Deputy Sheriff
- Deputy Sheriff (Generalist)-Bailiff
- K-9 Handler/ Deputy
- Special Deputy Sheriff
- Deputy Sheriff Generalist
- Deputy Sheriff, Building Guard
Sheriff or Deputy Sheriff Employment Estimates
There were about 684,200 jobs for Sheriff or Deputy Sheriff in 2016 (in the United States). New jobs are being produced at a rate of 7% which is above the national average. The Bureau of Labor Statistics predicts 47,700 new jobs for Sheriff or Deputy Sheriff by 2026. Due to new job openings and attrition, there will be an average of 49,500 job openings in this field each year.

The states with the most job growth for Sheriff or Deputy Sheriff are Utah, Texas, and Nevada. Watch out if you plan on working in New Jersey, Maryland, or Alaska. These states have the worst job growth for this type of profession.
What is the Average Salary of a Sheriff or Deputy Sheriff
The typical yearly salary for Sheriffs and Deputy Sheriffs is somewhere between $35,750 and $101,620.

Sheriffs and Deputy Sheriffs who work in California, New Jersey, or Alaska, make the highest salaries.
How much do Sheriffs and Deputy Sheriffs make in different U.S. states?
State | Annual Mean Salary |
---|---|
Alabama | $45,930 |
Alaska | $88,030 |
Arizona | $64,640 |
Arkansas | $39,560 |
California | $101,380 |
Colorado | $72,950 |
Connecticut | $71,920 |
Delaware | $70,000 |
District of Columbia | $74,940 |
Florida | $59,610 |
Georgia | $42,990 |
Hawaii | $74,040 |
Idaho | $53,880 |
Illinois | $75,720 |
Indiana | $55,310 |
Iowa | $58,340 |
Kansas | $48,350 |
Kentucky | $45,600 |
Louisiana | $41,550 |
Maine | $49,840 |
Maryland | $68,230 |
Massachusetts | $69,870 |
Michigan | $56,270 |
Minnesota | $69,060 |
Mississippi | $35,550 |
Missouri | $48,920 |
Montana | $56,230 |
Nebraska | $57,530 |
Nevada | $70,450 |
New Hampshire | $58,120 |
New Jersey | $83,720 |
New Mexico | $51,250 |
New York | $74,860 |
North Carolina | $48,420 |
North Dakota | $57,190 |
Ohio | $61,040 |
Oklahoma | $46,120 |
Oregon | $70,360 |
Pennsylvania | $66,600 |
Rhode Island | $60,890 |
South Carolina | $42,280 |
South Dakota | $48,550 |
Tennessee | $44,600 |
Texas | $61,870 |
Utah | $53,890 |
Vermont | $52,940 |
Virginia | $56,710 |
Washington | $77,670 |
West Virginia | $43,590 |
Wisconsin | $62,040 |
Wyoming | $55,050 |
What Tools do Sheriffs and Deputy Sheriffs Use?
Although they’re not necessarily needed for all jobs, the following technologies are used by many Sheriffs and Deputy Sheriffs:
- Microsoft Excel
- Microsoft Word
- Microsoft Office
- Microsoft PowerPoint
- Microsoft Outlook
- Web browser software
- Microsoft Access
- Email software
- Word processing software
- Microsoft Windows
- Microsoft Visio
- Database software
- ESRI ArcView
- Corel WordPerfect Office Suite
- IBM Lotus 1-2-3
- National Crime Information Center NCIC database
- Integrated Automated Fingerprint Identification System IAFIS
- Law enforcement information databases
- National Integrated Ballistics Information Network NIBIN
- Computer aided dispatch software
Becoming a Sheriff or Deputy Sheriff
What kind of Sheriff or Deputy Sheriff requirements are there?

How many years of work experience do I need?

Where do Sheriffs and Deputy Sheriffs Work?

The table below shows the approximate number of Sheriffs and Deputy Sheriffs employed by various industries.

Other Jobs You May be Interested In
Those thinking about becoming a Sheriff or Deputy Sheriff might also be interested in the following careers:
Career changers with experience as a Sheriff or Deputy Sheriff sometimes find work in one of the following fields:
References:
More about our data sources and methodologies.
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