Also called: County Sheriff, High Sheriff
The elected top law enforcement officer of a county, usually running the county jail and patrol.
Sheriffs are elected by voters, which makes them both cops and politicians. They oversee deputies who patrol rural areas, run the county jail, protect courthouses, and serve court papers. There are about 3,000 sheriffs in the U.S.
Varies by county size.
Approximate: anchored on Bureau of Labor Statistics data for a broader job group.
High school diploma, about 15 years after high school. Must win election; most have long law enforcement careers and a bachelor's degree.
Ways in: On-the-job training, 4-year college. Training cost: Get paid while you train.
Majors to look at: Criminal Justice, Public Administration.
Growing slowly. About one per county.
Low risk for 10 years. Software helps run the jail and dispatch; winning votes, leading deputies and making judgment calls on the county stay human.
Classes: Government / Civics, Speech and Debate, Spanish, Student government.
Official data: O*NET occupation 33-1012.
Career Universe is an early version. Pay, training and AI-risk figures are estimates to start your own research, not verified facts. The research was written with AI research assistants, checked by validation scripts and spot-checked by hand. Check anything important with schools, employers and official sources. How the numbers work.