What are the main factors that influence a First Sergeant's salary?

The primary factors are: 1) Experience Level, 2) Geographic Location, 3) Education/Skills, 4) Company Size & Industry

How does experience change a First Sergeant's salary?

A First Sergeant's salary grows with experience: starting around $65,907 for beginners, reaching about $66,976 at mid-level, and approach $72,697 for experts.

What are the highest paying states for a First Sergeant?

First Sergeant salary varies significantly by state. The top 3 highest paying states for First Sergeant roles are District of Columbia $75,611, California $75,324, Massachusetts $74,320. These tech hubs typically pay 10-15% above the national average.

How much do different types of First Sergeant roles make?

Salaries for First Sergeant level roles vary by specialization: Security Sergeant: $248,710; Sergeant: $84,691; Sergeant Major: $83,624; Police or Sheriff's Patrol Sergeant: $83,600; Police Sergeant: $83,533.

First Sergeant Salary in Rhode Island

How much does a First Sergeant make in Rhode Island?

As of January 01, 2026, the average salary for a First Sergeant in Rhode Island is $70,803 per year, which breaks down to an hourly rate of $34.

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

Top Earners (90th percentile): $96,848
Majority Range (25th-75th percentile): $63,933 to $84,436
Entry-Level (10th percentile): $57,679

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First Sergeant Salaries by Percentile

	Annual Salary	Monthly Pay	Weekly Pay	Hourly Wage
75th Percentile	$84,436	$7,036	$1,624	$41
Average	$70,803	$5,900	$1,362	$34
25th Percentile	$63,933	$5,328	$1,229	$31

You may get higher pay by adjusting the following factors:

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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): $65,907
Early Career (1-2 years): $66,154
Mid-Level (2-4 years): $66,976
Senior-Level (5-8 years): $70,235
Expert (over 8 years): $72,697

Levels	Salary
Entry Level First Sergeant	$65,907
Intermediate Level First Sergeant	$66,154
Senior Level First Sergeant	$66,976
Specialist Level First Sergeant	$70,235
Expert Level First Sergeant	$72,697

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What Am I Worth?

How Do First Sergeant Salaries Vary from State to State?

Your salary can change significantly depending on where you work. States with a higher cost of living and strong industrial sectors often pay more to attract First Sergeants. For example, consider the average annual salaries in these key locations:

District of Columbia: $75,611.
California: $75,324.
Massachusetts: $74,320.

District of Columbia $75,611 California $75,324 Massachusetts $74,320 Washington $74,047 New Jersey $74,020 Alaska $73,924 Connecticut $72,982 New York $72,599

Hawaii $71,377 Rhode Island $70,803 Maryland $70,414 Minnesota $69,881 Colorado $69,676 Illinois $69,608 Oregon $69,349 Delaware $69,157

New Hampshire $69,037 Virginia $68,768 Pennsylvania $67,983 Nevada $67,587 North Dakota $67,457 Michigan $67,252 Wisconsin $67,177 Vermont $67,027

Texas $66,610 Maine $66,583 Arizona $66,542 Ohio $66,494 Georgia $65,866 Indiana $65,552 Wyoming $65,490 Utah $65,395

Iowa $65,354 Kansas $65,026 Louisiana $64,930 North Carolina $64,896 Missouri $64,882 Florida $64,616 Montana $64,473 Nebraska $64,336

Kentucky $64,261 South Carolina $63,988 Tennessee $63,817 Idaho $63,749 New Mexico $63,250 Oklahoma $63,141 Alabama $62,738 South Dakota $62,062

Arkansas $61,693 West Virginia $61,495 Mississippi $60,901

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:

Adamsville: $71,964
Albion: $70,769
Ashaway: $72,237

Adamsville, RI $71,964 Albion, RI $70,769 Ashaway, RI $72,237 Barrington, RI $70,769 Block Island, RI $71,862 Bradford, RI $72,189 Bristol, RI $70,701 Carolina, RI $71,602

Charlestown, RI $71,677 Chepachet, RI $70,632 Clayville, RI $70,701 Coventry, RI $70,632 West Greenwich, RI $70,585 East Greenwich, RI $70,680 Exeter, RI $72,189 Fiskeville, RI $70,769

Forestdale, RI $70,701 Foster, RI $70,585 Glendale, RI $70,585 Greene, RI $71,377 Greenville, RI $70,769 Harmony, RI $70,749 Harrisville, RI $70,632 Hope, RI $70,769

Hope Valley, RI $72,237 Hopkinton, RI $72,258 Jamestown, RI $71,534 Kenyon, RI $72,169 Little Compton, RI $71,937 Manville, RI $70,769 Mapleville, RI $70,585 Newport, RI $71,548

Middletown, RI $71,848 North Kingstown, RI $70,564 North Scituate, RI $70,749 Oakland, RI $70,653 Pascoag, RI $70,612 Pawtucket, RI $70,769 Central Falls, RI $70,769 Cumberland, RI $70,769

Lincoln, RI $70,769 Portsmouth, RI $71,261 Prudence Island, RI $70,632 Rockville, RI $72,258 Saunderstown, RI $71,575 Shannock, RI $72,148 Slatersville, RI $70,701 Slocum, RI $71,575

Tiverton, RI $71,985 Wakefield, RI $71,500 Kingston, RI $71,513 Narragansett, RI $71,527 Peace Dale, RI $71,500 Warren, RI $70,749 Warwick, RI $70,769 Westerly, RI $72,278

West Kingston, RI $71,554 West Warwick, RI $70,769 Wood River Junction, RI $72,189 Woonsocket, RI $70,701 North Smithfield, RI $70,749 Wyoming, RI $72,169 Providence, RI $70,769 Cranston, RI $70,769

North Providence, RI $70,769 East Providence, RI $70,769 Riverside, RI $70,769 Rumford, RI $70,769 Smithfield, RI $70,769 Johnston, RI $70,769

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 January 01, 2026

$63,933

Average $70,803/year

$84,436

$5,328

Average $5,900/month

$7,036

$1,229

Average $1,362/week

$1,624

$31

Average $34/hour

$41

	Annual Salary	Monthly Pay	Weekly Pay	Hourly Wage
75th Percentile	$84,436	$7,036	$1,624	$41
Average	$70,803	$5,900	$1,362	$34
25th Percentile	$63,933	$5,328	$1,229	$31

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