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Customs Immigration Officer Jobs (NOW HIRING)

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Customs Immigration Officer information

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$11K

$83.2K

$99.5K

How much do customs immigration officer jobs pay per year?

As of Sep 13, 2026, the average yearly pay for customs immigration officer in the United States is $83,196.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $47,000.00 and $98,500.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What is a customs immigration officer?

Customs Immigration Officers are government officials responsible for enforcing laws and regulations related to the entry and exit of people and goods at borders, airports, and seaports. They inspect travel documents, screen travelers for security threats, and ensure compliance with immigration, customs, and quarantine laws. Their duties also include preventing illegal immigration, smuggling, and trafficking of prohibited items. Customs Immigration Officers play a crucial role in maintaining national security and facilitating legal international travel and trade.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as a customs immigration officer?

To thrive as a Customs Immigration Officer, you need a strong understanding of immigration laws, regulations, and border control procedures, typically supported by relevant law enforcement or criminal justice education and completion of government training programs. Familiarity with border management systems, biometric identification tools, and document verification technologies is essential. Excellent interpersonal skills, attention to detail, and sound judgment are crucial for effectively interacting with travelers and identifying potential risks. These skills and qualities are vital to ensure national security, facilitate lawful entry, and maintain public safety at borders.

What are some common challenges faced by customs immigration officers during daily inspections?

Customs Immigration Officers often encounter challenges such as managing high volumes of travelers during peak times, identifying forged documents, and handling language barriers. The role requires strong attention to detail, quick decision-making, and effective communication skills to ensure border security while providing courteous service. Officers must also stay updated on evolving regulations and adapt to new technologies used in screening and enforcement.

What is the difference between Customs Immigration Officer vs Border Control Officer?

AspectCustoms Immigration OfficerBorder Control Officer
Required CredentialsHigh school diploma, sometimes specialized training or certificationsHigh school diploma, law enforcement or security training often preferred
Work EnvironmentAirports, seaports, border crossings, government agenciesBorder checkpoints, ports, airports, security agencies
Employer & IndustryGovernment customs agencies, immigration departmentsBorder security agencies, law enforcement
Common Search & ComparisonYesYes

Both Customs Immigration Officers and Border Control Officers work in border security environments, focusing on immigration and customs enforcement. While their roles overlap, Customs Immigration Officers primarily handle immigration documentation and customs procedures, whereas Border Control Officers focus on security checks and preventing illegal crossings. Understanding these distinctions helps job seekers identify the right career path in border security and immigration enforcement.

How much does a U.S. Customs Immigration Officer get paid?

A U.S. Customs Immigration Officer typically earns a salary ranging from $40,000 to $70,000 annually, depending on experience, location, and level of seniority. The role often requires passing background checks and completing specialized training, with opportunities for overtime and benefits.

Is it hard to become a Customs Immigration Officer?

Becoming a Customs Immigration Officer typically requires passing written exams, physical fitness tests, and background checks. Candidates often need relevant education, such as a high school diploma or equivalent, and may need to complete specialized training or certification programs. The process can be competitive and involves meeting specific eligibility criteria and demonstrating strong communication and attention to detail skills.

What are the requirements to become a customs immigration officer?

To become a customs immigration officer, candidates typically need a high school diploma or equivalent, pass background checks, and complete specialized training provided by the relevant agency. Some positions may require prior experience in law enforcement, security, or related fields, as well as proficiency with computer systems and security procedures.

What does a customs immigration officer do?

A customs immigration officer is responsible for inspecting travelers and their belongings to enforce immigration and customs laws, ensuring legal entry and exit from a country. They verify identification, process visas, and may use tools like scanners or databases to detect illegal activities or contraband. The role requires attention to detail, communication skills, and often involves working in a security or border control environment.

What states have the most Customs Immigration Officer jobs?

States with the most job openings for Customs Immigration Officer jobs include:

What are popular job titles related to Customs Immigration Officer jobs?

For Customs Immigration Officer jobs, the most frequently searched job titles are:

Infographic showing various Customs Immigration Officer job openings in the United States as of September 2026, with employment types broken down into 1% Internship, 89% Full Time, and 10% Part Time. Highlights an 95% Physical, 1% Hybrid, and 4% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $83,196 per year, or $40 per hour.

Customs and Border Protection Officer - Experienced

Brewer, ME • On-site

Customs and Border Protection
Public Administration • 10K+ employees

$63K - $127K/yr

Full-time

Medical, Dental, Retirement

Posted 12 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


Job description

Customs and Border Protection Officer (CBPO) - New Hire Sign-On and Retention Incentives

NEW RECRUITMENT AND RETENTION INCENTIVES!

U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) offers those interested in a career in law enforcement an exceptional opportunity to work with an elite team of highly trained professionals whose camaraderie, pride, and purpose are hallmarks of their daily mission of protecting America. You will be part of the Department of Homeland Security workforce, protecting American interests and securing our nation.

If you are looking for a rewarding career with great pay, benefits, and job stability, now is the time to make your move.

DON’T FORGET TO CHECK OUT THE INCENTIVES – SEE SALARY SECTION BELOW

As a Customs and Border Protection Officer (CBPO) , 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 CBPO makes you a valuable member of the Federal Law Enforcement Officer (LEO) profession.

Typical assignments include:

  • Enforcing customs, immigration, and agriculture laws and regulations.
  • Facilitating the flow of legitimate trade and travel.
  • Conducting inspections of individuals and conveyances.
  • Determining the admissibility of individuals for entry into the United States; and
  • Preventing the illegal entry of individuals and prohibited goods and the smuggling of illegal drugs and other contraband.

Duty LocationsIncentives available for some locations

You will be asked to provide your preference for one of the following mission-critical locations: Anchorage, AK; Douglas, Lukeville, Nogales and San Luis, AZ; Calexico, Otay Mesa, San Francisco, San Ysidro, and Tecate, CA; Washington, D.C.; Key West, Miami, and Orlando FL; Honolulu, HI; Chicago, IL; Calais, Eastport, Houlton, Jackman, Madawaska, Van Buren, and Vanceboro, ME; Detroit, Port Huron, and Sault Ste Marie, MI; Grand Portage and International Falls, MN; Raymond, Roosville, Sweetgrass, and Wild Horse, MT; Columbus and Santa Teresa, NM; Alexandria Bay, Champlain, Massena, Trout River, and Buffalo, NY; Dunseith, Pembina, and Portal, ND; Brownsville, Dallas, Del Rio, El Paso, Hidalgo, Laredo, Presidio, Progreso, and Houston, TX; Beecher Falls, Derby Line, Highgate Springs, Norton, and Richford, VT; Blaine, Oroville, and Sumas, WA.

The preference locations listed above are expected to have vacancies available in the future, however, if the duty locations do not have vacancies at the time of your final offer, you may be offered a duty location in another geographic location within the United States. Locations offered are based on operational and mission requirements and critical agency hiring needs for entry-level CBPOs as determined by the CBP Office of Field Operations (OFO).

Salary – and Duty Location Recruitment Incentives – and Benefits

**Recruitment Incentive** Newly appointed Customs and Border Protection Officers will be offered up to a $15,000 incentive per year, for a three-year service contract, in the following locations:

  • Arizona: Douglas, Lukeville, Nogales, San Luis
  • California: Calexico
  • Hawaii: Honolulu
  • Maine: Calais, Eastport, Houlton, Jackman, Madawaska, Van Buren, Vanceboro
  • Michigan: Detroit, Port Huron, Sault Sainte Marie
  • Minnesota: Grand Portage, International Falls
  • Montana: Raymond, Sweetgrass
  • New York: Alexandria Bay, Champlain, Massena, Trout River
  • North Dakota: Dunseith, Portal
  • Vermont: Beecher Falls, Derby Line, Highgate Springs, Norton, Richford
  • Washington: Blaine, Oroville
**Recruitment Incentive** Newly appointed Customs and Border Protection Officers will be offered up to a $15,000 incentive per year, for a four-year service contract, in the following locations:
  • California: Otay Mesa, San Francisco, San Ysidro, Tecate
  • Florida: Key West
  • North Dakota: Pembina

Annual Base Salary for newly appointed CBPOs varies as follows:

  • GS-9 $63,431- $127,464 per year

Locality pay varies by duty location.

Note: A fully trained CBPO is eligible for up to $45,000 in overtime pay in addition to the starting salary.

Grade level eligibility and salaries vary depending upon background, including experience and education, and duty location of the opportunity. This is a career ladder position with a grade level progression of GS-5, GS-7, GS-9, GS-11, and 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 each grade level. Promotions are at the discretion of the agency.

Officers are eligible to select from an array of federal employment benefits that include health, dental and other insurance plans, a generous annual and sick leave program, and participation in the Thrift Savings Plan, a retirement plan akin to a traditional and ROTH 401(k) offering.

Qualifications:

You qualify for the GS-9 grade level in one of the following ways: experience, education, or a combination of both.

Experience: A minimum of one (1) year of specialized experience equivalent to at least the next lower grade level that includes:

  • Detaining suspected violators of federal, state, or local laws and/or arresting violators using the proper law enforcement methods.
  • Enforcing the laws and regulations relating to importing, exporting, and/or international shipping to and from the United States.
  • Utilizing intelligence techniques and behavior analysis to identify potential threats and perform risk assessments for violations of laws and threats to national security.
  • Conducting interviews in a law enforcement capacity for the purposes of gaining information from suspected violators of laws to determine the appropriate course of action.

The above experience will be applied in connection with the following: Ability to make rapid, accurate judgments and decisions with respect to the application of the regulations, instructions, and procedures for importing and exporting merchandise to and from the United States; or enforcement and administration of laws relating to the right of persons to enter, reside in or depart from the United States, Guam, Puerto Rico, and the U.S. Virgin Islands.

Education Substitution: A master's (or higher) degree, or two or more years of progressively higher-level graduate education leading to such a degree, or an LL.B. or J.D. from an accredited college or university; OR

Combination of Experience and Education: A combination of specialized experience AND successfully completed graduate-level education. This will be calculated using your resume and official or unofficial transcripts submitted with your application.


Other Requirements:

Citizenship: You must be a U.S. Citizen to apply for this position.

Residency: You must have had primary U.S. residency (includes protectorates as declared under international law) for at least three (3) of the last five (5) 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 Customs and Border Protection Officer 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: You will be required to complete a paid pre-academy orientation for approximately two (2) weeks at your home port. You will then attend a 101-day training program – CBP Field Operations Academy – conducted at the Federal Law Enforcement Training Center (FLETC) located in Glynco, GA. This training consists of basic law enforcement skills, immigration laws, firearms training, examination of cargo/bags/merchandise, physical fitness, etc. Candidates assigned to the southern border, Miami, or Puerto Rico duty locations must attend and pass an online Spanish training program, which will be completed at their home port. Successful completion of the Academy is required for this position.


How to Apply:

Click the Apply button on this site. You will be linked to the CBP Talent Network page. For Position of Interest, select Customs and Border Protection Officer.

You’ll then receive a link(s) to the CBPO JOA(s) on USAJOBS to complete your application. Be certain to review ALL details of the job opportunity announcement and follow all instructions in the application process, including items (resume, transcripts, etc.) to submit. You will be evaluated based on your resume, supporting documents, and the CBPO Entrance Exam.

As a subscriber to the CBP Talent Network, you’ll receive monthly emails with information about webinars, career expos, and future opportunities with OFO and CBP.


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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