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Cbp Officer Jobs (NOW HIRING)

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Cbp Officer information

What is a CBP officer?

CBP Officers are federal law enforcement agents who work for U.S. Customs and Border Protection. Their primary responsibilities include protecting the nation’s borders by enforcing customs, immigration, and agricultural laws at ports of entry. They inspect travelers, vehicles, and cargo entering the United States to prevent illegal activities such as smuggling and unauthorized entry. CBP Officers play a crucial role in national security, trade facilitation, and border management.

What does a CBP officer do?

As a CBP officer, your responsibilities are to provide customs and border protection for the federal government. In this law enforcement position, you may patrol a designated area, provide security in high-risk areas, implement immigration regulations, inspect trade and agriculture products, and engage in counterterrorism work. CBP officers secure land borders, coastal waters, ports of entry, and parcel processing facilities. Many aspects of this job vary by area and the duties you are assigned. For example, a CBP officer focused on examining items entering the United States will have a significantly different day-to-day experience than an officer tasked with intercepting people trying to cross the border illegally.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as a CBP officer, and why are they important?

To thrive as a CBP Officer, you need strong observational skills, knowledge of customs and immigration laws, and a minimum of a high school diploma or equivalent, with many positions requiring additional education or relevant experience. Familiarity with inspection tools, law enforcement databases, and security screening systems is essential. Effective communication, integrity, and sound judgment are important soft skills for interacting with travelers and making quick, fair decisions under pressure. These skills and qualities are crucial for protecting national borders, enforcing laws, and ensuring the safety and security of the country.

What are some of the unique challenges faced by CBP officers during their daily duties at ports of entry?

CBP Officers often encounter the challenge of balancing thorough inspections with efficient processing of travelers and cargo. They must remain vigilant for security threats while providing professional service to people from diverse backgrounds. Additionally, the role requires adaptability, as officers may need to respond to rapidly changing situations, such as shifts in travel patterns or emerging security risks. Effective communication and teamwork with other law enforcement agencies are also essential to ensure border safety and compliance.

What is the difference between Cbp Officer vs Customs Agent?

AspectCbp OfficerCustoms Agent
Required CredentialsHigh school diploma, background checks, sometimes specialized trainingHigh school diploma, licensing, and certification often required
Work EnvironmentGovernment agency, border security, airports, portsPrivate sector, customs brokerage firms, import/export companies
Employer & IndustryU.S. Customs and Border Protection, federal governmentPrivate customs brokerage and freight forwarding companies

While both Cbp Officers and Customs Agents work in customs-related roles, Cbp Officers primarily serve in government border security, enforcing laws and inspecting travelers and cargo. Customs Agents typically work in the private sector, handling import/export documentation and ensuring compliance for clients. The roles overlap in credentials and industry usage but differ in employment setting and specific responsibilities.

Do CBP officers get paid well?

CBP officers typically receive competitive salaries that increase with experience, location, and rank. Entry-level officers start with a salary around $50,000 annually, with opportunities for overtime, benefits, and career advancement. Overall, their compensation is considered fair within federal law enforcement standards.

What cities are hiring for Cbp Officer jobs?

Cities with the most Cbp Officer job openings:

What states have the most Cbp Officer jobs?

States with the most job openings for Cbp Officer jobs include:

Infographic showing various Cbp Officer job openings in the United States as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 97% Full Time, and 3% Part Time. Highlights an 99% Physical, and 1% Remote job distribution.

CBP OFFICER (NTC)

Sterling, VA • On-site


U.S. Customs and Border Protection
Public Administration • 10K+ employees

8.7

Company rating: 8.7 out of 10

Based on 28 frontline employees who took The Breakroom Quiz

175th of 851 rated public administrative organizations

Great coworkers

People enjoy working here

Good employer


$125K/yr

Full-time

This job post has expired today. Applications are no longer accepted.


Job description

Organizational Location: This position is with the Department of Homeland Security, within U.S. Customs and Border Protection, Office of Field Operations, National Targeting Center located in Sterling, VA.
CBP employees demonstrate the highest level of commitment to protect and serve the United States of America and to exemplify the CBP Core Values of Vigilance, Service to Country and Integrity. Learn more about CBP's mission, core values and careers at https://www.cbp.gov/aboutQualifications:Experience: You qualify for the GS-13 grade level if you possess 1 year of specialized experience equivalent to at least the next lower grade level, performing duties such as:
  • Researching, obtaining, assembling, and analyzing classified intelligence from a wide array of sources (federal, state, local, military, foreign, financial, and technology companies) to identify patterns, assess risks, and distinguish criminal intent
  • Providing expert guidance to CBP Officers and management, demonstrating ingenuity and resourcefulness to target, manage, process, and resolve high-risk, complex, sensitive, and unprecedented situations involving people and cargo
  • Identifying weaknesses in existing laws, regulations, policies, and procedures; making and defending recommendations for significant changes or interpretations to improve CBP Officer operations
  • Preparing complex reports that substantiate findings and serve as a basis for potential legal action, requiring a strong understanding of legal frameworks and meticulous documentation.

NOTE: Your resume must explicitly indicate how you meet this requirement, otherwise you will be found ineligible. Please see the "Required Documents" section below for additional resume requirements.
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 08/20/2026.

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.
Administrative Secondary CBP Officer (CBPO) Special Retirement Coverage (SRC) Requirement: This position meets the definition of secondary administrative CBPO SRC under the laws and regulations defined in 5 U.S.C. 8331 (31), Civil Service Retirement System (CSRS) and General Provisions for CBPO defined in 5 U.S.C. 8401(36), Federal Employees Retirement System (FERS). The criterion is that knowledge, skill and ability in a position deemed to meet primary CBPO SRC is a mandatory prerequisite to satisfactorily perform the major duties and responsibilities of this job. The conditions for coverage of a secondary position are contained in 5 C.F.R. 831.1604 for CSRS and 5 C.F.R. 842.1003 for FERS. As defined in 5 C.F.R. 831.1602 CSRS and 5 CFR 842.1002 FERS, to be eligible for this secondary administrative CBP) SRC position you must have permanently served in a primary CBPO SRC position, e.g. Customs Inspector, GS-1890; Immigration Inspector, GS-1816; Canine Enforcement Officer, GS-1801; or CBP Officer, GS-1895.
You must:
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
Polygraph Examination: CBP Has the authority to conduct a polygraph for the CBP OFFICER (NTC) position, however, at this time a polygraph is not a pre-employment requirement. If CBP decides to implement the polygraph as a pre-employment requirement while you are in the hiring process, CBP will notify you and provide additional information.
Polygraph Examination: The CBP OFFICER (NTC) position is a polygraph-required position. If you are not a current CBP employee in a law enforcement position, you may be required to take a polygraph exam and have favorable results in order to continue in the pre-employment process. Please see Polygraph Examination.
Polygraph Reciprocity: CBP may accept the results of a prior federal polygraph exam in lieu of a CBP polygraph exam. You will receive information to request reciprocity in your Background Investigation Package.
Polygraph Waiver: Certain veterans may be eligible to obtain a polygraph waiver. You will receive information to request a waiver in your Background Investigation Package.
If you are not a current GS-1895, and you are selected, you will have to meet the following medical/physical standards:
Physical/Medical Requirements: Following a tentative job offer, candidates must undergo and successfully complete a medical screening process. Individuals must be medically and physically capable of performing the essential job functions and duties of the position safely and efficiently without endangering the health and safety of the individual, others, or national security. For more information regarding the medical screening process and requirements, check out our video and visit our website.
Physical Fitness Test: You will be required to successfully pass the Pre-employment Fitness Test. Please view both Hiring Process Deep Dive Video: The Fitness Test and Pre-Employment Fitness Test Physical Readiness Program, a 6-week program designed to assist you in achieving a level of physical fitness that will help you successfully pass the CBP fitness test.Education:Please see the Qualifications and Required Documents sections for more information if education is applicable to this position.
Employment Type: OTHER

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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


What U.S. Customs and Border Protection employees say

Pay

Benefits

Hours and flexibility

Workplace

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