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Custom Border Protection Officer Jobs in Virginia

$24.82 - $44.34/hr

... to protect the American people by safeguarding our borders, deterring illicit activity, and ... Being a BPA makes you a valuable member of the Federal Law Enforcement Officer (LEO) profession.

$24.82 - $44.34/hr

... to protect the American people by safeguarding our borders, deterring illicit activity, and ... Being a BPA makes you a valuable member of the Federal Law Enforcement Officer (LEO) profession.

$24.82 - $44.34/hr

... to protect the American people by safeguarding our borders, deterring illicit activity, and ... Being a BPA makes you a valuable member of the Federal Law Enforcement Officer (LEO) profession.

$24.82 - $44.34/hr

... to protect the American people by safeguarding our borders, deterring illicit activity, and ... Being a BPA makes you a valuable member of the Federal Law Enforcement Officer (LEO) profession.

$24.82 - $44.34/hr

... to protect the American people by safeguarding our borders, deterring illicit activity, and ... Being a BPA makes you a valuable member of the Federal Law Enforcement Officer (LEO) profession.

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Custom Border Protection Officer information

See Virginia salary details

$13

$19

$25

How much do custom border protection officer jobs pay per hour?

As of Jul 29, 2026, the average hourly pay for custom border protection officer in Virginia is $19.09, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $16.68 and $20.00 per hour, depending on experience, location, and employer.

Is it hard to become a customs officer?

Becoming a Customs Border Protection Officer typically requires passing written exams, background checks, physical fitness tests, and training at a federal law enforcement academy. The process can be competitive and involves meeting specific eligibility criteria, including age, education, and citizenship requirements.

What is a Customs and Border Protection Officer?

A Customs and Border Protection (CBP) Officer is a federal law enforcement professional who works for the U.S. Customs and Border Protection agency. Their primary role is to protect the nation’s borders by preventing illegal entry of people and goods, enforcing immigration and customs laws, and facilitating lawful trade and travel. CBP Officers work at ports of entry, such as airports, seaports, and land border crossings, where they inspect travelers, vehicles, and cargo. They also play a key role in national security by preventing the smuggling of drugs, weapons, and other contraband.

How to become a customs border protection officer?

To become a Customs Border Protection Officer, applicants must meet age, citizenship, and background requirements, pass a written exam and physical fitness test, and complete training at the Federal Law Enforcement Training Center. Relevant skills include attention to detail, communication, and the ability to work in a team environment. Candidates often need a high school diploma or equivalent, with some positions requiring college coursework or experience in law enforcement or security.

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

To thrive as a Customs Border Protection Officer, you need a solid understanding of law enforcement procedures, border security protocols, and typically a background check plus completion of specialized CBP training. Familiarity with inspection technologies, law enforcement databases, and detection tools is crucial. Strong communication, situational awareness, and integrity help officers interact effectively with travelers and respond to dynamic situations. These skills and qualities are vital for ensuring national security, enforcing laws, and facilitating lawful trade and travel.

Is it hard to get hired by CBP?

Becoming a Customs Border Protection Officer involves a competitive hiring process that includes written exams, background checks, physical fitness tests, and interviews. Candidates often need relevant experience, a clean record, and to meet specific eligibility requirements, making the hiring process challenging but achievable with proper preparation.

What is the difference between Custom Border Protection Officer vs Customs Officer?

AspectCustom Border Protection OfficerCustoms Officer
Required CredentialsHigh school diploma, background checks, sometimes security clearancesHigh school diploma, background checks, sometimes security clearances
Work EnvironmentBorder crossings, ports, airports, security checkpointsCustoms offices, border crossings, ports
Employer & Industry UsageU.S. Customs and Border Protection, government agenciesCustoms agencies, government departments

Both roles involve border security and customs enforcement, often requiring similar credentials and working in border or port environments. The main difference is that Custom Border Protection Officers focus on security screening and enforcement at border points, while Customs Officers primarily handle customs inspections and duties collection. Understanding these distinctions can help job seekers identify the right career path within border security and customs operations.

How much do CBP officers get paid?

Custom Border Protection (CBP) officers typically earn a starting salary of around $50,000 to $60,000 per year, depending on experience, location, and rank. With experience and promotions, salaries can increase to over $80,000 annually, and officers may receive additional benefits such as overtime pay, hazard pay, and allowances for shift work.

What are some common challenges faced by Customs Border Protection Officers during their daily shifts?

Customs Border Protection Officers often encounter fast-paced environments where they must make quick, accurate decisions under pressure. Dealing with large volumes of travelers and cargo, officers must remain vigilant for potential security threats while maintaining professionalism and empathy during interactions. Shifts can be long and may include nights, weekends, and holidays, requiring adaptability and resilience. Balancing enforcement duties with customer service is a core challenge, as officers need to enforce regulations while treating travelers fairly and respectfully.
Infographic showing various Custom Border Protection Officer job openings in Virginia as of July 2026, with employment types broken down into 94% Full Time, 5% Part Time, and 1% Temporary. Highlights an 96% Physical, and 4% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $39,697 per year, or $19.1 per hour.
CBP Officer (NTC)

$125K/yr

Other

Retirement

Posted 22 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

167th of 835 rated public administrative organizations


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.
This Open Continuous Job Announcement is used in building a pool of qualified applicants. Applications will be reviewed throughout the duration of announcement up to the closing date.Qualifications: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.
The customs and border protection officer mandatory separation provisions of 5 USC 8425 do not apply to an individual first appointed as a customs and border protection officer before July 6, 2008.
Secondary CBPO Special Retirement Coverage: This is a secondary position subject to mandatory retirement under the special retirement provisions for Customs and Border Protection Officers (5 CFR 842.1003; 5 USC 8425(b), 5 USC 8335(b); and 5 USC 8412(d). Employees in secondary positions must meet the following conditions in order to be eligible for special retirement provisions: moved directly from a primary position to a secondary position without a break in service; complete 3 years of service in a primary position; and, if applicable, have been continuously employed in a secondary position or positions since moving from a rigorous position without a break in service exceeding 3 days. For more information on required years of service and retirement age, click on this link If you have questions regarding your retirement coverage provisions, please contact the CBP Retirement Operations Center at (202) 863-6180.
The customs and border protection officer mandatory separation provisions of 5 USC 8425 do not apply to an individual first appointed as a customs and border protection officer before July 6, 2008.
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:
  • 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 01/04/2027
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.
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: 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.
Probationary Period: Current and former federal employees may be required to serve or complete a probationary period.
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.
Residency: There is a residency requirement for all applicants not currently employed by CBP. Individuals are required to have physically resided in the United States or its protectorates (as declared under international law) for at least three of the last five years. If you do not meet the residency requirement and you have been physically located in a foreign location for more than two of the last five years, you may request an exception to determine if you are eligible for a residency waiver by meeting one or more of the following conditions:
  • Working for the U.S. Government as a federal civilian or as a member of the military
  • A dependent who was authorized to accompany a federal civilian or member of the military who was working for the U.S. government
  • Participation in a study abroad program sponsored by a U.S. affiliated college or university
  • Working as a contractor, intern, consultant or volunteer supporting the U.S. governmen
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