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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
Salary Factors Salary-Boosting Skills Salary by Experience Related Job Salaries Top Paying Cities Explore Related Jobs

Check out First Sergeant Job Openings in the United States

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
Job RoleYears of ExperienceAverage Salary
Entry Level First Sergeant less than 1 year $63,651
Early Career Level First Sergeant 1-2 years $63,888
Mid-Level Level First Sergeant 2-4 years $64,678
Senior-Level Level First Sergeant 5-8 years $67,840
Expert Level First Sergeant over 8 years $70,239

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: $75,726.
  • California: $75,439.
  • Massachusetts: $74,433.

Top Paying Cities for First Sergeant

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

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 $39.0 20%

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.

  • Hourly
  • Monthly
  • Weekly
  • Yearly
  • Table View
Last Updated on August 01, 2026
$61,754
Average $68,394/year
$81,681
$5,146
Average $5,700/month
$6,807
$1,188
Average $1,315/week
$1,571
$30
Average $33/hour
$39
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

Most common benefits for First Sergeant

  • Social Security
  • 401 (k)
  • Disability
  • Healthcare
  • Pension
  • Time Off (days)

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.

  • Confidential | Columbus, OH

    Associate Vice President Internal Communications

    Confidential | Columbus, OH

    Associate Vice President, Internal Communications. About the Company. National consulting & advisory services firm focused on the healthcare industry. Indu... more

    21 Days Ago

  • C.R. England | Columbus, OH

    Local CDL

    C.R. England | Columbus, OH

    Job Description. C.R. England is Now Urgently Hiring Local Dedicated CDL-A Truck Drivers. \n. Dedicated Local Fleet - Home Daily - Competitive Pay* - Full ... more

    26 Days Ago

  • Confidential | Columbus, OH

    Vice President Credit Risk Strategy&Data Science

    Confidential | Columbus, OH

    Vice President, Credit Risk Strategy & Data Science. About the Company. High-growth SMB lender building the next generation of credit decisioning. Industry... more

    26 Days Ago

  • Confidential | Columbus, OH

    Vice President Payments Engineering

    Confidential | Columbus, OH

    Vice President, Payments Engineering. About the Company. Globally-recognized provider of corporate payment solutions. Industry. Financial Services. Type. P... more

    28 Days Ago

  • Confidential | Columbus, OH

    Senior Vice President of Project Delivery

    Confidential | Columbus, OH

    Senior Vice President of Project Delivery. About the Company. A multi-billion-dollar construction organization with collaborative, servant-minded leadershi... more

    28 Days Ago

  • USPS | Columbus, OH

    USPS Postal Workers

    USPS | Columbus, OH

    The United States Postal Service (USPS) is seeking Mail Carriers and City Carrier Assistants (CCA) to deliver mail and packages to residential and business... more

    2 Months 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.)

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