What is an officer and how to become one

Updated January 8, 2025
4 min read
Quoted Expert
Dr. Durmus Alper CAMLIBEL Ph.D.
introduction image

An officer maintains law and order in a particular jurisdiction. They are typically employed by government agencies, such as the police or military. Officers enforce laws, investigate crimes, and respond to emergency situations. They often work long hours, including nights and weekends, and may face dangerous situations on the job. Officers must have strong communication skills, be physically fit, and able to make quick decisions under pressure.

What general advice would you give to an Officer?

D

Dr. Durmus Alper CAMLIBEL Ph.D.Dr. Durmus Alper CAMLIBEL Ph.D. LinkedIn Profile

Assistant Professor, University of Wisconsin - Oshkosh

They need to avoid being overzealous officers. They should not put their career at the center of their life. They need to spend quality time with their family. In law enforcement, good relations with the public and colleagues are essential. They need to develop good relationships with the people and their colleagues and expand their professional network. They always try to be a "problem solver officer" rather than a "problem creator officer." If someone asks for help from them, they should treat this person with dignity and respect. They should avoid being arrogant in their interaction with the public. Because arrogance is the worst plague, and Humility is the greatest virtue.
ScoreOfficerUS Average
Salary
4.1

Avg. Salary $52,506

Avg. Salary $59,228

Stability Level
8.6

Growth Rate 3%

Growth Rate 0.3%

Diversity
10.0
Race

American Indian and Alaska Native 1.85%

Asian 6.64%

Black or African American 15.25%

Hispanic or Latino 18.58%

Unknown 5.74%

White 51.93%

Gender

female 36.10%

male 63.90%

Age - 43
Race

American Indian and Alaska Native 3.00%

Asian 7.00%

Black or African American 14.00%

Hispanic or Latino 19.00%

White 57.00%

Gender

female 47.00%

male 53.00%

Age - 43
Stress Level
8.6

Stress level is very high

7.1 - high

Complexity Level
4.9

Complexity Level is intermediate

7 - challenging

Work Life Balance
9.4

Work Life balance is excellent

6.4 - fair

What are the pros and cons of being an Officer?

Pros

  • Sense of purpose in contributing to a safer society

  • Competitive salary, benefits, and job security

  • Opportunities for advancement and specialization

  • Access to training and education

  • Ability to work in a variety of locations and settings

Cons

  • High stress and potential for danger

  • Long hours and irregular schedules

  • Burnout, compassion fatigue, mental health challenges, and difficulties with work-life balance

  • Potentially negative public perception and media portrayal

  • Potential for legal liability or lawsuits

Officer career paths

Key steps to become an officer

  1. Explore officer education requirements

    Most common officer degrees

    Bachelor's

    56.2 %

    Associate

    13.8 %

    Master's

    11.0 %
  2. Start to develop specific officer skills

    Skills
    ascdesc
    Percentages
    ascdesc
    Patrol19.43%
    Customer Service18.35%
    Public Safety9.76%
    Emergency Situations6.17%
    PowerPoint3.26%
  3. Complete relevant officer training and internships

    Accountants spend an average of Less than 1 month on post-employment, on-the-job training. New officers learn the skills and techniques required for their job and employer during this time. The chart below shows how long it takes to gain competency as an officer based on U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics data and data from real officer resumes.
  4. Research officer duties and responsibilities

    • Lead 50 2nd lieutenants, manage schedules, and ensure timely completion of missions.
    • Achieve highest ranking of Lt.
    • Manage social media (Facebook): upload pictures, post announcements/news, update information.
    • Manage base active duty populations' compliance with USAF instructions regarding proper balance of fitness level and body fat percentage.
  5. Prepare your officer resume

    When your background is strong enough, you can start writing your officer resume.

    You can use Zippia's AI resume builder to make the resume writing process easier while also making sure that you include key information that hiring managers expect to see on an officer resume. You'll find resume tips and examples of skills, responsibilities, and summaries, all provided by Zippi, your career sidekick.

    Choose From 10+ Customizable Officer Resume templates

    Build a professional Officer resume in minutes. Browse through our resume examples to identify the best way to word your resume. Then choose from 10+ resume templates to create your Officer resume.
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  6. Apply for officer jobs

    Now it's time to start searching for an officer job. Consider the tips below for a successful job search:

    1. Browse job boards for relevant postings
    2. Consult your professional network
    3. Reach out to companies you're interested in working for directly
    4. Watch out for job scams

How Did You Land Your First Officer Job

Zippi

Are you an Officer?

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Average officer salary

The average Officer salary in the United States is $52,506 per year or $25 per hour. Officer salaries range between $26,000 and $103,000 per year.

Average Officer Salary
$52,506 Yearly
$25.24 hourly

What Am I Worth?

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How do officers rate their job?

-/5

5 Stars

4 Stars

3 Stars

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1 Star

Officer reviews

profile
A zippia user wrote a review on Jan 2022
Cons

The pay is not worth what you have to do sometimes


profile
A zippia user wrote a review on Oct 2020
Cons

How political the job has become. There isn’t a correct way to do your job. Almost everyone wants to get you fired. It’s annoying.


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A zippia user wrote a review on Feb 2020
Pros

Ability to move around to various locations. Meeting new & different people. Learning new things everyday.

Cons

No upward mobility. Stagnant. Lack of educational opportunities.


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Updated January 8, 2025

Zippia Research Team
Zippia Team

Editorial Staff

The Zippia Research Team has spent countless hours reviewing resumes, job postings, and government data to determine what goes into getting a job in each phase of life. Professional writers and data scientists comprise the Zippia Research Team.

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