First Sergeant Salary in the United States

How much does a First Sergeant make in the United States?

As of August 01, 2026, the average salary for a First Sergeant in the United States is $68,394 per year, which breaks down to an hourly rate of $33.

However, a First Sergeant's salary can vary significantly. Here’s a look at the typical salary range:

  • Top Earners (90th percentile): $93,778
  • Majority Range (25th-75th percentile): $61,754 to $81,681
  • Entry-Level (10th percentile): $55,709
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View as table View as graph 25% $61,754 10% $55,709 90% $93,778 75% $81,681 $68,394 50%(Median) Didn’t find job title? Click

First Sergeant Salaries by Percentile

Annual
Salary
Monthly
Pay
Weekly
Pay
Hourly
Wage
75th Percentile $81,681 $6,807 $1,571 $39
Average $68,394 $5,700 $1,315 $33
25th Percentile $61,754 $5,146 $1,188 $30
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Key Factors That Influence First Sergeant Salaries

A First Sergeant's salary isn't a fixed number. It's shaped by several important factors. Below, we'll explore how your years of experience, geographic location and company size can directly affect your earning potential.

How Experience Level Affects First Sergeant Salaries?

Experience is a primary driver of a First Sergeant's salary. As you build your skills and take on more complex tasks, your compensation generally increases. Here’s how the average salary grows at different career stages:

  • Entry-Level (less than 1 year): $63,651
  • Early Career (1-2 years): $63,888
  • Mid-Level (2-4 years): $64,678
  • Senior-Level (5-8 years): $67,840
  • Expert (over 8 years): $70,239
Levels Salary
Entry Level First Sergeant$63,651
Intermediate Level First Sergeant$63,888
Senior Level First Sergeant$64,678
Specialist Level First Sergeant$67,840
Expert Level First Sergeant$70,239
$63,651 0 yr
$63,888 < 2 yrs
$64,678 2-4 yrs
$67,840 5-8 yrs
$70,239 > 8 yrs
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What Am I Worth?

Top Paying Cities for First Sergeants

Salaries can also vary between different cities. Major metropolitan areas or cities with a high demand for technicians often offer more competitive pay. Here are a few examples of average annual salaries in different U.S. cities:

  • San Jose: $86,265
  • San Francisco: $85,321
  • Oakland: $83,523

What Skills Can Increase a First Sergeant's Salary?

Demanded Skills for the Role:

  • Customer Service (Mentioned in 7.24% Job Postings): Customer service is the provision of service to customers before, during and after a purchase. The perception of success of such interactions is dependent on employees "who can adjust themselves to the personality of the guest". Customer service concerns the priority an organization assigns to customer service relative to components such as product innovation and pricing. In this sense, an organization that values good customer service may spend more money in training employees than the average organization or may proactively interview customers for feedback. From the point of view of an overall sales process engineering effort, customer service plays an important role in an organization's ability to generate income and revenue. From that perspective, customer service should be included as part of an overall approach to systematic improvement. One good customer service experience can change the entire perception a customer holds towards the organization.
  • Safety Procedures (Mentioned in 5.26% Job Postings): Establishing and implementing rules and procedures to prevent potential hazards and risks to ensure a safe and productive working environment.
  • Computer Systems (Mentioned in 0.66% Job Postings): A computer system is a set of integrated devices that input, output, process, and store data and information. Computer systems are currently built around at least one digital processing device.
See More Skills
Skills Demand Percentage
Customer Service 7.24%
Safety Procedures 5.26%
Computer Systems 0.66%
What skills can make your compensation higher?
Mastering certain specialized skills can lead to a significant increase in pay. Here are examples of skills and the potential impact they can have on a First Sergeant's salary.
  • Communication Skills: Can increase your salary by up to 14%.
  • Time Management: Can increase your salary by up to 11%.
  • Pricing: Can increase your salary by up to 9%.
Skill Salary Salary % Increase
Communication Skills
$77,969
14%
Time Management
$75,917
11%
Pricing
$74,549
9%
Teamwork
$72,498
6%
Microsoft Office
$72,498
6%
Communicates Effectively
$72,498
6%
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First Sergeant Salary by Industry: Top Paying Sectors

For First Sergeant roles, the industry you choose can impact your earning potential by as much as 40% (the gap between the highest and lowest paying industries). Data shows that the highest-paying industry, MFG Durable, offers compensation 20% above the average. Conversely, First Sergeant positions in Retail & Wholesale typically offer lower base pay, as this sector often view First Sergeant as a support function rather than a direct revenue driver.

The top paying industry for a First Sergeant

Industry Sector Average Annual Salary Average Hourly Rate Pay vs.Avg
MFG Durable$82,073$39.020%

First Sergeant Salary: Hourly Rate, Weekly Pay, and Monthly Pay

Understanding how a First Sergeant's annual salary breaks down can help with budgeting. Below, you can see the average hourly rate, weekly pay, and monthly pay for this role. Use the buttons to switch between different pay periods.

Last Updated on August 01, 2026

Salary Trends for First Sergeant

Salaries for a First Sergeant can change over time, reflecting shifts in market demand and the overall economy. The median salary decreased from $70,702 in 2023 to around $69,481 in 2025, reflecting changes in demand, location, experience, and the wider economy. For a detailed analysis of First Sergeant salary trends, .

Average Annual Salary of First Sergeant Over Time

2022
$???
2023
$70,702
2024
$70,041
2025
$69,481
2026
$???
2027
$???
Year Average Annual Salary
2022
View More
2023 $70,702
2024 $70,041
2025 $69,481
2026
View More
2027
View More

Most common benefits for First Sergeant

Social Security
401(k)
Disability
Healthcare
Pension
Time Off (days)
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Common company salaries for First Sergeant

Here are companies hiring for First Sergeant and their salaries, click below for more details.

Find Your Next First Sergeant Job

Ready to take the next step in your career? Browse thousands of current First Sergeant job openings on our job board. Use the search bar below to find your perfect match.

United States
  • Maxim Healthcare

    Columbus, OH

    Maxim Healthcare | Columbus, OH

    Private duty nursing (PDN) allows medically fragile patients to receive quality, skilled nursing care in the comfort of their home: a setting preferred by ... more

    13 Days Ago

  • XPO

    Columbus, OH

    CDL

    XPO | Columbus, OH

    XPO is Hiring Driver Teams. XPO Teams. As an XPO Team, you’ll run dedicated routes between XPO facilities in. new sleeper. trucks equipped with microwaves ... more

    13 Days Ago

  • Schneider

    Columbus, OH

    Schneider | Columbus, OH

    CDL-A - Dedicated Reefer truck driver - Kroger. Dedicated Reefer truck driver - Kroger. Average pay. $1,200-$1,450 weekly. Home time. Daily. Experience. Al... more

    14 Days Ago

  • Summit Recruiting Group

    Columbus, OH

    Summit Recruiting Group | Columbus, OH

    NP/PA Dermatology job opening in Columbus, OHPosition Details. Full-time, permanent opening. Experience required. Well-Established Practice. Seeking a NP/P... more

    15 Days Ago

  • Family Dollar

    Columbus, OH

    Family Dollar | Columbus, OH

    Customer Service Associate. We're seeking a Customer Service Associate to join our team and deliver a great shopping experience for every customer. Duties ... more

    16 Days Ago

  • GO Staffing

    Columbus, OH

    GO Staffing | Columbus, OH

    Locums - A well respected group has a Trauma Surgery APP opportunity available in Columbus, Ohio. Certified Nurse Practitioner or Physician Assistant. 1/1/... more

    16 Days Ago

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FAQ about First Sergeant

1. What industry pays the highest salary for First Sergeant?

The MFG Durable industry offers the highest average compensation for First Sergeant roles, with salaries approximately 20% above the market median.

Where Does Our Salary Data Come From?

Salary.com provides salary estimates, histograms, trends, and comparisons using data from employer job postings and third-party sources.

We offer detailed salary information across multiple percentiles for your reference. (Click here to learn Why the Salary Midpoint Formula Is Crucial for Achieving Pay Equity.)

With the most extensive online, real-time compensation data available, Salary.com helps you pinpoint your exact pay target.

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