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Border Force Jobs (NOW HIRING)

BORDER PATROL AGENT

$76K - $119K/yr

Task Force page for more information. Requirements Help Conditions of employment * You must be a U.S. Citizen to apply for this position * Males born after 12/31/1959 must be registered with ...

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Border Force information

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$11

$62

$88

How much do border force jobs pay per hour?

As of Jul 3, 2026, the average hourly pay for border force in the United States is $62.11, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $53.37 and $70.67 per hour, depending on experience, location, and employer.

How much do you get paid in Border Force?

Border Force officers' salaries vary based on experience, rank, and location, but typically start around £24,000 to £30,000 annually for entry-level roles. With experience and promotions, salaries can increase to over £40,000. The role often requires working in shifts and may include additional allowances for overtime or hazardous duties.

What is the difference between Border Force vs Customs Officer?

AspectBorder ForceCustoms Officer
CredentialsTypically requires security or law enforcement training, sometimes specific border security certificationsRequires customs-related certifications, such as Customs Compliance or Tariff Regulations
Work EnvironmentBorder security checkpoints, ports, airports, and border crossingsCustoms offices, ports, airports, and border entry points
Employer & IndustryGovernment agencies responsible for border security and immigration controlGovernment customs agencies, often part of border security operations

Border Force and Customs Officer roles overlap in border security and customs enforcement, but Border Force generally has broader responsibilities including immigration control and national security, while Customs Officers focus more on tariff and import/export compliance.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as a Border Force Officer, and why are they important?

To thrive as a Border Force Officer, you need strong analytical skills, attention to detail, and physical fitness, typically supported by relevant security or law enforcement qualifications. Familiarity with border security technology, document verification systems, and relevant legislation is essential. Excellent communication, resilience, and the ability to remain calm under pressure are crucial soft skills for this role. These skills and qualities are vital to effectively prevent illegal activities, ensure national security, and provide professional service at border entry points.

What are Border Force officers?

Border Force officers are government officials responsible for securing a country's borders by controlling the movement of people and goods into and out of the country. They work at airports, seaports, and other entry points to check passports, visas, and cargo, ensuring compliance with laws and regulations. Their duties include preventing illegal immigration, smuggling, and trafficking, as well as facilitating legitimate travel and trade. Border Force officers play a crucial role in national security and public safety.

What do border agents get paid?

Border agents typically earn a salary that ranges from approximately $40,000 to $70,000 per year, depending on experience, location, and rank. They may also receive benefits such as health insurance, retirement plans, and overtime pay, with opportunities for advancement and specialized training.

How can I work for Border Force?

To work for Border Force, candidates typically need to meet eligibility criteria such as age, nationality, and background checks, and often must pass physical fitness assessments and security vetting. Relevant skills include communication, problem-solving, and knowledge of customs and immigration procedures. Applications are usually submitted through official government recruitment portals or job boards, and roles may require specific certifications or training programs.

What are some common challenges faced by Border Force officers during their daily duties?

Border Force officers often encounter a fast-paced and unpredictable work environment, dealing with everything from routine inspections to high-pressure situations involving illegal activities or emergencies. Officers must be prepared to work irregular hours, including nights and weekends, and handle sensitive interactions with travelers from diverse backgrounds. Collaboration with other agencies, such as customs and immigration, is key to effectively enforcing laws and ensuring border security. Adapting quickly to new policies and technologies is also a regular part of the role.

Is it hard to get hired by border patrol?

Getting hired as a Border Force officer typically involves a competitive application process that includes written exams, physical fitness tests, background checks, and interviews. Candidates often need relevant experience, good communication skills, and to meet specific eligibility requirements, making the hiring process challenging but achievable with proper preparation.
More about Border Force jobs
What states have the most Border Force jobs? States with the most job openings for Border Force jobs include:
Infographic showing various Border Force job openings in the United States as of June 2026, with employment types broken down into 1% Locum Tenens, 93% Full Time, 1% Part Time, 1% Temporary, and 4% Contract. Highlights an 99% Physical, and 1% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $129,181 per year, or $62.1 per hour.
Border Patrol Agent (Reemployed Annuitant)

Border Patrol Agent (Reemployed Annuitant)

Customs and Border Protection

Remote

$88K - $115K/yr

Full-time

Posted 26 days ago


U.S. Customs and Border Protection rating

8.7

Company rating: 8.7 out of 10

Based on 28 frontline employees who took The Breakroom Quiz

116th of 668 rated public administrative organizations


Job description

Summary
Organizational Location: This position is with the Department of Homeland Security, within U.S. Customs and Border Protection, U.S. Border Patrol, within many nationwide locations.
Salary: Salary listed reflects the rest of U.S. scale and, if applicable, will be adjusted to meet the locality pay or cost of living expenses of the duty location upon selection.
There is no recruitment incentive associated with this job announcement.
Learn more about this agency
Duties
Help
This announcement has been amended on 4/6/2026 to extend the closing date to 5/8/2026.
This announcement has been amended on 5/11/2026 to extend the closing date to 6/5/2026.
This announcement has been amended on 6/1/2026 to extend the closing date to 7/10/2026.

You lived the mission every day and know what it takes to protect America's citizens, borders, and economic prosperity. U.S. Border Patrol (USBP) requires Agents with your passion and work experience in Customs and Border Protection (CBP). As a retired Border Patrol Agent, we are calling you back to the frontlines to protect American interest and secure our Nation. Your country needs your expertise, professionalism, and commitment. Benefits of returning to USBP as a reemployed annuitant may include:
  • The availability of a salary offset waiver, allowing you to retain your full retirement annuity and full salary while re-employed,
  • An expedited pre-employment process,
  • Accelerated re-entry training conducted at the sector.

Make an impact; re-join the U.S. Border Patrol - Honor First!
This position will allow you to use your expertise to prevent illegal entry of aliens into the United States by land, water, or air; enforce criminal provisions of the Immigration and Nationality Laws; and seek out and apprehend smugglers or aliens who are in the United States illegally. Apply for this exciting opportunity to strengthen the Department's ability to protect the homeland.
This position starts at a salary of $88,621.00 (GS-12, Step 1) to $115,213.00 (GS-12, Step 10). Salary will be determined based on prior employment history.
As a re-employed annuitant CBP may allow a waiver of Salary Offset (Dual Compensation Waiver). Reemployed annuitants with a dual compensation waiver receive both their full basic annuity and full salary. Being a Border Patrol Agent makes you a valuable member of the Federal Law Enforcement Officer (LEO) profession. Typical assignments include:
  • Detecting and questioning persons suspected of violating immigration and custom laws and inspecting documents and possessions to determine citizenship or violations
  • Preventing, and apprehending undocumented noncitizens and smugglers of noncitizens at or near the borders by maintaining surveillance from covert positions to include using infrared scopes during night operations
  • Interpreting and following tracks, marks, and other physical evidence of illegal entry of persons or contraband
  • Performing farm checks, building checks, traffic checks, city patrols, and transportation checks
  • Patrolling the international boundary and coastal waterways using a variety of Government assets such as vehicles, horses, vessels, watercrafts, off-road vehicles, ATVs, snowmobiles, and motorcycles for the accomplishment of the USBP Mission.

Duty Locations: You will be asked to select your first and second preferred US Border Patrol Sector locations:
  • Big Bend Sector
  • Blaine Sector
  • Buffalo Sector
  • Del Rio Sector
  • Detroit Sector
  • El Paso Sector
  • El Centro Sector
  • Grand Forks Sector
  • Havre Sector
  • Houlton Sector
  • Laredo Sector
  • Miami Sector
  • New Orleans Sector
  • Rio Grande Valley Sector
  • San Diego Sector
  • Spokane Sector
  • Swanton Sector
  • Tucson Sector
  • Yuma Sector

Ramey Sector - Please note, relocation is not authorized for this announcement. To be considered for the Ramey Sector, please email your application package to cbphiring-applicantinquiry@cbp.dhs.gov.
NOTE: Placement will be determined based on current vacancy and operational requirements. For more information on USBP Sectors, click here.
Customs and Border Protection (CBP) is hiring for law enforcement jobs that have an exciting opportunity! Once onboarded, you'll first be assigned for up to one year to support the D.C. Safe and Beautiful Task Force. The law enforcement component of the D.C. Task Force is a partnership of over 20 federal and local agencies working together to make D.C. the safest city in America. Once the assignment ends, you'll transition back to support the CBP. Visit the D.C. Task Force page for more information.
Requirements
Help
Conditions of employment
  • You must be a U.S. Citizen to apply for this position
  • Males born after 12/31/1959 must be registered with Selective Service
  • Primary U.S. residency for at least three of the last five years (additional details below)
  • You may be required to pass a background investigation
  • CBP follows the DHS Drug-Free Workplace Plan for drug testing procedures
  • You must be under the age of 59 to be considered for this position. Law enforcement positions in the GS-1800 occupational groups are covered by mandatory separation provisions at 5 U.S.C. 8335(b)(1), which requires automatic separation, without exception, for individuals age 60 or older.

Who May Apply: Retired Border Patrol Agents:
  • Former Border Patrol Agents, who have retired from USBP within the past Five (5) years.
  • Must meet eligibility for reinstatement as defined by 5 CFR 315.401.
  • Must have passed the Border Patrol Academy and post-Academy prior to leaving CBP.
  • Must have successfully completed the requirements of a probationary or trial period.
  • Must have satisfactory or pass performance appraisals during the last three years of federal employment.
  • Must have been separated at the applicant's choice with no disciplinary action taken within the last three years of CBP employment and with no disciplinary proceeding pending.
  • Must have held a competitive permanent position with the Full Performance Level of GS-12.

Retired applicants must have been retired one (1) year before the closing date of this announcement.
TERM Appointment: To meet agency needs, this position will be filled on a term basis not-to-exceed (NTE) 1/20/2029 or your 60th Birthday, whichever occurs first. The minimum time in this appointment is one year. If you turn 60 within one year, you are not eligible for this position.
Candidates may be contacted prior to the JOA close date to initiate the hiring process.
Qualifications
This position has an Individual Occupational Requirement: Specialized Experience in law enforcement or other responsible work that demonstrated the ability to: Make arrests and exercise sound judgment in the use of firearms; deal effectively with individuals or groups of persons in a courteous, tactful manner in connection with law enforcement matters; analyze information rapidly and make prompt decisions or take prompt and appropriate law enforcement action in light of applicable laws, court decisions, and sound law enforcement procedures; and develop and maintain contact with a network of informants.
-AND-
You qualify for the GS-12 grade level if you possess the following:
One year of specialized work experience equivalent to at least the next lower grade level that shows you have the skills necessary to interpret and enforce immigration or comparable laws, rules, and regulations, and to perform intelligence, prosecutions, investigations, and anti-smuggling, to identify operational problems, to devise solutions, to ensure compliance of enforcement and operational practices and to apprise management of deficiencies or noted problems.
The Office of Personnel Management (OPM) must authorize employment offers made to current or former political appointees. If you are currently, or have been within the last 5 years, a political Schedule A, Schedule C, Non-career SES or Presidential Appointee employee in the Executive Branch, you must disclose this information to the Human Resources Office.
Language Requirement: Must be proficient in the Spanish language. (i.e., able to speak and read in Spanish).
Firearms Requirement: This position requires that the incumbent meet initial and continuing qualifications in the use of firearms as outlined in the Gun Control Act of 1968, amended by the Lautenberg Amendment of 1996. An applicant whose background includes any of the following will be ineligible for consideration: 1) convicted of a crime punishable by imprisonment exceeding one year; 2) has any outstanding warrants or is a fugitive from justice; 3) unlawful user of or addicted to any controlled substance; 4) adjudicated as a mental defective or has been committed to a mental institution; 5) illegally or unlawfully in the United States; 6) renounced U. S. citizenship; 7) subject to a court-ordered restraining (protection) order from harassing, stalking, or threatening an intimate partner (spouse, former spouse, parent of applicant's child, individual who cohabitates or has cohabitated with the applicant), or child; or 8) convicted under Federal, State, or Tribal Court of a misdemeanor crime of domestic violence against an intimate partner or child.
Experience refers to paid and unpaid experience, including volunteer work done through National Service programs (e.g., Peace Corps, AmeriCorps) and other organizations (e.g., professional; philanthropic; religious; spiritual; community, student, social). Volunteer work helps build critical competencies, knowledge, and skills and can provide valuable training and experience that translates directly to paid employment. You will receive credit for all qualifying experience, including volunteer experience.
You must:
  • Meet all qualification requirements, including education if applicable to this position, subject to verification at any stage of the application process; and
  • Meet all applicable Time in Grade requirements (current federal employees must have served 52 weeks at the next lower grade or equivalent grade band in the federal service) by 07/10/2026.

The Office of Personnel Management (OPM) must authorize employment offers made to current or former political appointees. If you are currently, or have been within the last 5 years, a political Schedule A, Schedule C, Non-career SES or Presidential Appointee employee in the Executive Branch, you must disclose this information to the Human Resources Office.
Misdemeanor Crime of Domestic Violence: The Border Patrol Agent position is a weapons-carrying position. Any person who has been convicted of a misdemeanor crime of domestic violence cannot lawfully possess a firearm or ammunition. Therefore, if you have been convicted of a misdemeanor crime of domestic violence, you are not qualified for this position.
Shift Work/Overtime: This position requires regular and recurring shift work. You must be willing and available to work rotating shifts. You may also be rotated between assignments and duty locations. You could be required to work overtime on a daily basis and will be compensated up to an additional 25% of your base pay in accordance with the Border Patrol Agent Pay Reform Act of 2014.
Travel: Overnight travel may be required on a regular and recurring basis.
Uniform/Grooming Standards: This position requires wearing an officially approved uniform and complying with established grooming standards found here, as established by the Border Patrol's Uniform and Grooming Standards Policy #IOP-5320-02A-UGSBPA. Please note that in accordance with these standards, tattoos and/or brandings on the head and face are not permitted. Obscene, racially/ethnically derogatory and/or gang tattoos or brandings shall not be visible.
Motor Vehicle Operation: You must possess the ability to operate a Government Owned Vehicle. A valid, non-restricted driver's license is required.
Education
This job does not have an education qualification requirement.
Additional information
Bargaining Unit: This is a bargaining unit covered position, represented under the National Border Patrol Council - NBPC. For local chapter contact information see https://bpunion.org/about-nbpc/
Background Investigation: U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) is a federal law enforcement agency that requires all applicants to undergo a thorough background investigation prior to employment in order to promote the agency's core values of vigilance, service to country, and integrity. During the screening and/or background investigation process, you will be asked questions regarding any felony criminal convictions or current felony charges, the use of illegal drugs (e.g., marijuana, cocaine, heroin, LSD, methamphetamines, ecstasy), and the use of non-prescribed controlled substances including any experimentation, possession, sale, receipt, manufacture, cultivation, production, transfer, shipping, trafficking, or distribution of controlled substances. For additional information on the preemployment process, review the following link: Applicant Resources | CBP Careers
Language Requirement: Must be proficient in the Spanish language. (i.e., able to speak and read in Spanish).
Drug Testing Requirements: Employees are subject to drug testing in compliance with the DHS Drug-Free Workplace Program. You must complete a drug test as a condition of employment.
Firearms Requirement: This position requires that the incumbent meet initial and continuing qualifications in the use of firearms as outlined in the Gun Control Act of 1968, amended by the Lautenberg Amendment of 1996. A candidate whose background includes any of the following will be ineligible for conside

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About U.S. Customs and Border Protection

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U.S. Customs and Border Protection serves and protects America with a workforce of more than 60,000 law enforcement and support professionals. We're united by our mission to guard our borders from threats and illicit activities while facilitating legitimate trade and travel.

Industry

Public administration

Company size

10,000+ Employees

Headquarters location

Washington, DC, US

Year founded

2003