Also called: Deputy Sheriff
Enforces the law for a county sheriff's office, often patrolling rural areas or working in the jail.
Deputies may cover huge rural areas alone, waiting a long time for backup. Many start in the county jail, then move to patrol, court security, or serving warrants. In some counties, deputies are the only police for miles.
Approximate: anchored on Bureau of Labor Statistics data for a broader job group.
High school diploma, about 1 year after high school. High school diploma (many departments prefer some college), pass the police academy (about 6 months), and physical, background, and psychological tests.
Ways in: On-the-job training, 2-year college, Military. Training cost: Get paid while you train.
Majors to look at: Criminal Justice.
Growing about average (about 3% over 10 years). BLS police and detectives 2024-34.
Low risk for 10 years. Report-writing AI and camera tools help; rural patrol, jail duty and serving warrants alone stay human work.
Classes: PE / strength training, Psychology, Driver's ed, Criminal justice CTE.
Official data: O*NET occupation 33-3051.
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.