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Border Patrol Agent Jobs (NOW HIRING)

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Border Patrol Agent information

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$45K

$88.2K

$131K

How much do border patrol agent jobs pay per year?

As of Jul 24, 2026, the average yearly pay for border patrol agent in the United States is $88,157.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $46,500.00 and $111,500.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What is a Border Patrol Agent job?

A Border Patrol Agent is a law enforcement officer responsible for securing U.S. borders by preventing illegal immigration, human trafficking, and smuggling of contraband. They patrol various terrains, including land and waterways, using vehicles, horses, and technology to detect and apprehend individuals attempting to cross illegally. Agents also conduct inspections at checkpoints and coordinate with other agencies to enhance national security. The role requires extensive training, physical fitness, and a strong commitment to enforcing immigration laws while ensuring humanitarian care when needed.

How much do border patrol agents get paid?

Border Patrol Agents typically earn a starting salary of around $50,000 to $70,000 per year, depending on experience, location, and rank. They may also receive benefits such as overtime pay, hazard pay, and allowances for working in remote areas. Salaries increase with experience, promotions, and specialized skills.

What qualifications do you need to be a border patrol agent?

To become a Border Patrol Agent, applicants must be at least 18 years old, be U.S. citizens, pass a background check, and meet physical fitness standards. A high school diploma or equivalent is required, and some positions may prefer or require college coursework or experience in law enforcement or related fields.

What disqualifies you from joining border patrol?

Border Patrol Agent applicants are disqualified if they have a felony conviction, serious misdemeanor convictions, or a history of drug or alcohol abuse. Additionally, candidates must meet physical fitness standards, pass background checks, and have no recent use of illegal substances or criminal activity that could impair their ability to perform duties.

What are the typical work schedules and environments for Border Patrol Agents?

Border Patrol Agents often work irregular hours, including nights, weekends, and holidays, as the job requires round-the-clock vigilance along the nation’s borders. The work environment can be physically demanding, with agents patrolling remote and rugged terrain, in all weather conditions, and sometimes engaging in long surveillance or pursuit operations. Agents usually work as part of a team, coordinating closely with other law enforcement agencies and support staff. While the job can be challenging, it offers strong camaraderie, clear advancement opportunities, and specialized assignments for those seeking career growth within federal law enforcement.

Is it hard to get hired as a border patrol agent?

Becoming a border patrol agent involves a competitive selection process that includes written exams, physical fitness tests, background checks, and interviews. Candidates typically need to meet specific age, education, and fitness requirements, and must complete training at a federal academy. The process can be rigorous but is designed to select qualified individuals for the role.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive in the Border Patrol Agent position, and why are they important?

To thrive as a Border Patrol Agent, you need strong observational skills, physical fitness, and a high school diploma or equivalent, with many agents also completing specialized training through the U.S. Border Patrol Academy. Familiarity with surveillance technology, communication devices, and law enforcement databases is commonly required. Excellent judgment, problem-solving, and bilingual communication abilities are highly valued in this position. These skills and qualities are crucial for ensuring national security, effective teamwork, and safely managing dynamic and potentially high-stress situations along the border.

More about Border Patrol Agent jobs
What cities are hiring for Border Patrol Agent jobs? Cities with the most Border Patrol Agent job openings:
What are the most commonly searched types of Border Patrol Agent jobs? The most popular types of Border Patrol Agent jobs are:
Who are the top companies hiring for Border Patrol Agent jobs? The top employers for Border Patrol Agent jobs are:
What states have the most Border Patrol Agent jobs? States with the most job openings for Border Patrol Agent jobs include:
What are popular job titles related to Border Patrol Agent jobs? For Border Patrol Agent jobs, the most frequently searched job titles are:
Infographic showing various Border Patrol Agent job openings in the United States as of July 2026, with employment types broken down into 95% Full Time, 3% Part Time, and 2% Contract. Highlights an 92% Physical, 1% Hybrid, and 7% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $88,157 per year, or $42.4 per hour.
Border Patrol Agent - Experienced

Border Patrol Agent - Experienced

Customs and Border Protection

Key West, FL • On-site

$65K - $124K/yr

Full-time

Medical, Retirement

Posted 18 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

125th of 703 rated public administrative organizations


Job description

Border Patrol Agent (BPA) - Experienced (GL-9 GS-11) - New Hire Sign-On and Retention Incentives
SAME MISSION, NEW DRIVE!
You love protecting your community and doing your part to keep our nation safe. But maybe you're looking for a change of scenery?
USBP is hiring immediately for full-time, career positions, where your prior law enforcement officer (LEO) experience may qualify you for higher-graded Border Patrol Agent (BPA) opportunities. Continue making a difference with the nation's premier federal agency charged with securing our borders and protecting our country.
Whether you gained this experience as part of a military police unit or as a member of a state or local law enforcement organization, you have an opportunity to work with highly trained professionals whose camaraderie, pride, and purpose are hallmarks of their daily mission.
Check out the duties and responsibilities section below, along with the qualifications section to see if you are eligible. Now is the time to make your move, along with excellent base pay, location pay, exceptional benefits, and job stability, USBP is offering up to $60,000 in additional incentives to newly appointed Agents (see details below).
DON'T FORGET TO CHECK OUT THE INCENTIVES - SEE SALARY SECTION BELOW
IMPORTANT NOTICE: Duty assignments available at the time of offer may include the Southwest Border, including prioritized locations.

U.S. Border Patrol determines duty assignments at the time of offer based on operational needs, which may or may not align with candidates' first-choice preferences. Relocation may be required.
U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) is hiring immediately for these full-time, career Law Enforcement Officer (LEO) opportunities.
Salary and Benefits: Salary for newly appointed law enforcement Border Patrol Agents varies from:
  • Base Salary: GL-9/GS-11, $65,545 - $124,717per year
  • Locality Pay: Varies by duty location.
  • Overtime Pay: Up to 25%
Duty location impacts pay rates; locality pay for federal law enforcement is higher in some locations than others. A fully trained BPA may be eligible for up to an additional 25% of base pay per the BPA Pay Reform Act of 2014. This is a career ladder position with a grade level progression from GL-9 to GS-11 to GS-12. You will be eligible for a promotion to the next higher grade level (without re-applying) once you successfully complete 52 weeks in the lower grade level.
All Border Patrol Agents may select from an array of federal employment benefits that include health and insurance plans, a generous annual and sick leave program, and participation in the Thrift Savings Plan, a retirement plan that is similar to traditional and ROTH 401(k) offerings.
Recruitment Incentive Newly appointed Border Patrol Agents will be offered up to a $20,000 incentive. The first $10,000 will be paid upon successful completion of the Border Patrol Academy, with the remaining $10,000 awarded for accepting a prioritized location. Prioritized locations include Sierra Blanca, TX; Presidio, TX; Sanderson, TX; Comstock, TX; Lordsburg, NM; Freer, TX; Hebbronville, TX; Ajo, AZ.
Retention Incentive Newly appointed Border Patrol Agents may also qualify for up to $40,000 in additional incentives distributed over their first four years.
Duty Locations: You will be asked to select your preferred location for one of the following mission critical locations:
  • Big Bend Sector Stations - Presidio, Van Horn, Sanderson, Alpine, Sierra Blanca, Marfa
  • Buffalo Sector Stations - Wellesley Island
  • Del Rio Sector Stations - Del Rio, Brackettville, Comstock, Eagle Pass North, Eagle Pass South, Carrizo Springs, Uvalde
  • El Paso Sector Stations - Alamogordo, Clint, Deming, El Paso, Fort Hancock, Las Cruces, Lordsburg, Santa Teresa, Ysleta
  • El Centro Sector Stations - El Centro, Indio, Calexico
  • Grand Forks Sector Stations - Pembina
  • Havre Sector Stations - Havre, Malta, Plentywood, Scobey, Sweetgrass
  • Houlton Sector Stations - Calais, Fort Fairfield, Jackman, Rangeley, Van Buren
  • Laredo Sector Stations - Laredo South, Cotulla, Hebbronville, Laredo West, Freer, Laredo North, Zapata
  • Rio Grande Valley Sector Stations - Rio Grande City, Fort Brown, McAllen, Brownsville, Falfurrias, Weslaco, Kingsville, Harlingen
  • San Diego Sector Stations - Boulevard, Brownfield, Campo, Chula Vista, Imperial Beach, Murrieta, San Clemente
  • Spokane Sector Stations - Colville, Curlew, Metaline Falls, Oroville
  • Swanton Sector Stations - Beecher Falls, Burke, Champlain, Newport, Richford
  • Tucson Sector Stations - Ajo, Tucson, Nogales, Douglas, Brian A Terry, Sonoita, Casa Grande, Three Points Substation, Willcox
  • Yuma Sector Stations - Blythe, Yuma, Wellton
Duties and Responsibilities:

As a BPA, you will be part of our 60,000+ workforce that strives to protect the American people by safeguarding our borders, deterring illicit activity, and enhancing the nation's economic prosperity. Being a BPA makes you a valuable member of the Federal Law Enforcement Officer (LEO) profession.
Typical assignments include:
  • Detecting and questioning people suspected of violating immigration and customs laws and inspecting documents and possessions to determine citizenship or violations.
  • Preventing and apprehending aliens and smugglers of aliens 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, watercraft, off-road vehicles, ATVs, snowmobiles, and motorcycles for the accomplishment of the USBP Mission.
Qualifications:
GL-9: You qualify for the GL-9 grade level
if you possess one (1) year of specialized experience, equivalent to at least the next lower grade level, performing duties such as:
  • Performing physical searches of detained individuals, their vehicles, and their immediate surroundings for weapons, contraband, currency, and other evidence.
  • Apprehending, physically restraining, or working with law enforcement officials to identify or apprehend violators of state, federal, or immigration laws.
  • Proficient in the use of firearms, preparing investigative reports, serving court orders (e.g., warrants, subpoenas, etc.), and gathering evidence for criminal cases prosecuted through the court system.
If you have previous or current law enforcement or military law enforcement experience, you may qualify at the GS-11 grade level.
GS-11: You qualify for the GS-11 grade level
if you possess one year of specialized experience equivalent to at least the next lower grade level, with the authority granted by the state or government to enforce laws, make arrests, and investigate crimes, performing primary duties in an official law enforcement capacity such as:
  • Utilizing intelligence information to track illegal operations, criminal activity, threats to our nation, and/or contraband while serving as a state, federal, or military law enforcement official.
  • Leading investigations of fraud, contraband, criminal activity, threats to our nation, and/or illegal operations to determine sources and patterns while serving as a state, federal, or military law enforcement official.
  • Apprehending violators of state, federal, or immigration laws by utilizing various forms of complex technology that include surveillance, detection, situation awareness systems, and/or communications equipment.
The above experience will be applied in connection with the following: Make arrests and exercise sound judgment in the use of firearms; deal effectively with people in a courteous manner in connection with law enforcement matters; analyze information rapidly and make prompt decisions; or develop and maintain contact with a network of informants.
There are no education substitutions for the GL-9 or GS-11 grade-level Border Patrol Agent opportunities.
Other Requirements:
Citizenship:
You must be a U.S. Citizen to apply for this position.
Residency: You must have had primary U.S. residency (including protectorates as declared under international law) for at least three of the last five years.
Age Restriction: In accordance with Public Law 100-238, this position is covered under law enforcement retirement provisions. Candidates must be referred for selection to the Border Patrol Agent position before reaching their 40th birthday in accordance with Department of Homeland Security Directive 251-03. The age restriction may not apply if you are currently serving or have previously served in a federal civilian law enforcement (non-military) position covered by Title 5 U.S.C. 8336(c) or Title 5 U.S.C. 8412(d).
Veterans' Preference: You may also be eligible for an excepted service Veterans' Recruitment Appointment (VRA). The age restriction does not apply if you are Veterans' Preference eligible.
Formal Training: After you are hired, you will be detailed to the U.S. Border Patrol Academy in Artesia, New Mexico, for approximately six (6) months of intensive instruction in immigration and nationality laws, law enforcement . click apply for full job details

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About U.S. Customs and Border Protection

Sourced by ZipRecruiter

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