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Customs Inspector Salary Jobs in Indiana (NOW HIRING)

$106K - $138K/yr

Customs and Border Protection, Office of Field Operations, San Juan Field Office, Port of Saint ... This position starts at a salary of $106,437.00 (GS-13, Step 1) to $138,370.00 (GS-13, Step 10) ...

Customs Inspector Salary information

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

To thrive as a Customs Inspector, you need a solid understanding of customs regulations, investigative techniques, and attention to detail, typically supported by relevant education or experience in law enforcement or border protection. Familiarity with customs management systems, X-ray scanners, and risk assessment tools is commonly required, and some positions may require specialized certifications or training. Strong interpersonal skills, integrity, and effective communication are essential for interacting with travelers and colleagues under sometimes stressful conditions. These skills and qualities are vital to ensure the legal and efficient processing of goods and people, protect national security, and uphold customs laws.

What are some typical challenges Customs inspectors face in their daily work, and how do they overcome them?

Customs Inspectors often encounter challenges such as identifying contraband hidden in creative ways, managing high volumes of cargo or travelers, and staying updated on changing regulations and procedures. To address these, they rely on thorough training, attention to detail, and teamwork with other inspectors and law enforcement agencies. Inspectors also use advanced technology and participate in ongoing professional development to stay effective and compliant with current laws.

What is the difference between Customs Inspector Salary vs Border Patrol Agent Salary?

AspectCustoms Inspector SalaryBorder Patrol Agent Salary
Required CredentialsHigh school diploma or equivalent; specialized trainingHigh school diploma or equivalent; training at the Border Patrol Academy
Work EnvironmentPorts of entry, customs facilitiesBorder areas, remote locations along the border
Employer & IndustryU.S. Customs and Border Protection, Department of Homeland SecurityU.S. Border Patrol, Department of Homeland Security

Both Customs Inspectors and Border Patrol Agents work within the Department of Homeland Security, focusing on border security and customs enforcement. Customs Inspectors typically operate at ports of entry, inspecting goods and travelers, while Border Patrol Agents patrol border areas. Salary differences are influenced by work environment and specific duties, but both roles require similar credentials and training.

What is the average salary of a Customs inspector?

The average salary of a Customs Inspector varies depending on location, experience, and government agency. In the United States, Customs Inspectors typically earn between $40,000 and $80,000 per year, with the median salary around $60,000. Additional benefits such as overtime pay, health insurance, and retirement plans can supplement their base salary. Higher-paying positions are often available with more experience or in high-cost-of-living areas.

What does a customs inspector do?

A customs inspector is responsible for examining goods, luggage, and cargo at border crossings or ports to enforce import and export laws. They check for prohibited items, verify documentation, and ensure compliance with regulations, often using inspection tools and maintaining detailed records. The role requires attention to detail, knowledge of customs procedures, and sometimes specialized certifications.

How do you become a customs inspector?

To become a customs inspector, candidates typically need a high school diploma or equivalent, pass a background check, and meet physical and medical requirements. Many positions require passing written exams and training programs, which cover customs laws, inspection procedures, and security protocols.
What are popular job titles related to Customs Inspector Salary jobs in Indiana? For Customs Inspector Salary jobs in Indiana, the most frequently searched job titles are:
What job categories do people searching Customs Inspector Salary jobs in Indiana look for? The top searched job categories for Customs Inspector Salary jobs in Indiana are:
What cities in Indiana are hiring for Customs Inspector Salary jobs? Cities in Indiana with the most Customs Inspector Salary job openings:
Infographic showing various Customs Inspector Salary job openings in Indiana as of July 2026, with employment types broken down into 94% Full Time, 5% Part Time, and 1% Contract. Highlights an 99% Physical, and 1% Remote job distribution.

Supervisory CBP Agriculture Specialist

Customs and Border Protection

On-site, Remote

$106K - $138K/yr

Full-time

Posted 5 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

171st of 841 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, Office of Field Operations, San Juan Field Office, Port of Saint Croix, Saint Croix, Virgin Islands.
Learn more about this agency
Duties
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This position is located within the Department of Homeland Security (DHS), U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP), Office of Field Operations (OFO), and stationed at varying Ports of Entry (POE). The primary mission of OFO is to detect and prevent terrorists and instruments of terror, harmful pests and diseases, illegal drugs and contraband, and undocumented individuals and importations/exportations contrary to law and trade agreements from entering/exiting the United States. The primary purpose of this position is to serve as a first-line Supervisory CBP Agriculture Specialist (SCBPAS), responsible for directing, coordinating, assigning, organizing, and evaluating work activities.
This position starts at a salary of $106,437.00 (GS-13, Step 1) to $138,370.00 (GS-13, Step 10)
Salary above excludes COLA. Please see the following link for specific COLA Rates COLA Rates
In this first-line supervisory position you will become a key member of a team of Homeland Security professionals responsible for directing and evaluating work activities, such as inspection, intelligence analysis, examination, and enforcement activities relative to the importation and exportation of plants, plant products, restricted or prohibited miscellaneous articles, meat, and animal by-products in commercial cargo, by passengers and their baggage, foreign mail, and via all means of conveyances at Port of Entries (POEs). Typical work assignments include:
  • Overseeing the full and proper use of all available automated systems.
  • Providing guidance and training, communicating intelligence and enforcement information, disseminating new procedures and policy changes to direct reports, and ensuring work is performed so that legitimate traveling and importing public will experience as little delay as possible.
  • Making recommendations regarding significant internal and external program and policy issues regarding the management of agriculture operations at the port of entry to address regulatory changes and complexities in politics, media attention, public perception, and impact to the economy.
  • Monitoring and evaluating employee work production.
  • Establishing the unit area of responsibility and setting priorities and deadlines on major projects.

GS Salary: Visit this link to view the locality pay tables by geographic area. If you do not see your geographic area listed, select the "Rest of United States" pay table. Some positions fall under a special pay rate depending on the series, grade level and location of the position. Please visit this link to view special pay rate charts.
Requirements
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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)
  • All pre-employment processes will be conducted in English
  • You may be required to pass a background investigation.
  • CBP follows the DHS Drug-Free Workplace Plan for drug testing procedures.
  • As an employee of CBP, you will be joining a workforce that is dedicated to accomplishing our mission while maintaining the trust of our Nation by strictly adhering to all government ethics standards. Your conduct will be subject to the ethics rules applicable to all Executive Branch employees, and to CBP employees specifically, as well as the criminal conflict of interest statutes. Once you enter on duty, these rules include obtaining approval for outside employment or business activity, to ensure such employment or business activity is not prohibited and does not interfere or conflict with performance of your official duties. Please review further details via the following link.
  • DHS uses E-Verify, an internet-based system, to confirm the eligibility of all newly hired employees to work in the United States. Learn more about E-Verify including your rights and responsibilities.
  • Bargaining Unit: This position is not covered under the bargaining unit.

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:
  • Providing guidance in the areas of inspection, intelligence, analysis, examination, and activities relating to the importation or exportation of plants, plant products, and miscellaneous articles of restricted/prohibited agricultural commodities.
  • Reviewing and analyzing a wide variety of commercial and passenger documents to establish the validity, authenticity, admissibility, and extent of inspection determination of merchandise or cargo.
  • Conducting visual and physical inspection of cargo, baggage, conveyances, and packing materials to recognize the presences of prohibited agriculture commodities.
  • Serving as a technical consultant and providing guidance to CBPAS, CBP Officers, researchers, brokers, industry, travelers, Federal/state/local agencies, and others on the interpretative techniques and regulatory requirements pertaining to the processing of all agriculture-related cargo and material.
  • Serving as coach and mentor of lower level CBP Agriculture Specialists on a regular and recurring basis.

This position has an Individual Occupational Requirement.
Undergraduate Education-
Degree: biological sciences, agriculture, natural resource management, chemistry, or related disciplines appropriate to the position.
OR
Combination of education and experience: Completed at least 24 semester hours (36 quarter hours) in a qualifying field of study, as shown above, PLUS qualifying experience or additional education.To determine if you meet the combination, you must divide the months of qualifying experience by 48; next, divide the number of undergraduate semester hours by 120 (or 180 for undergraduate quarter hours) and the two percentages must total at least 100%.
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.
Transcripts: If you have never held a position in the GS-0401 series with Customs and Border Protection, you are required to submit a copy of your transcripts with your application.
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 08/06/2026.

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.
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 Supervisory CBP Agriculture Specialist 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.
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. government

Probationary Period: All employees new to the federal government must serve a one year probationary period during the first year of his/her initial permanent federal appointment to determine fitness for continued employment. Current and former federal employees may be required to serve or complete a probationary period.
Physical and Environmental Conditions: The work environment includes offices, aircraft operation areas, airline passenger and cargo areas, and marine docks. Periods of outdoor work may be required in snow, rain, or extreme heat. Occasional periods of outdoor work may be required in remote areas with no modern comfort facilities. The work may involve the use of toxic chemicals, pesticides and fumigants. Protective clothing may be required such as hard hats, gloves, goggles, hearing protection, and respirators.
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.
Please view the video "Protecting America 24/7" to learn more about CBP's Office of Field Operations.
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/about
Education
Please see the Qualifications and Required Documents sections for more information if education is applicable to this position.
Additional information
Supervisory Probationary Period: You may be required to serve an 18 month probationary period upon appointment.
Rotational Assignments/Duty Locations: Mission needs may require rotation of assignments and duty locations. Must be willing to oversee multiple locations in multiple ports.
Uniform: You will be required to wear an officially approved uniform while in a duty status.
Data Systems: You will be required to maintain access to all data systems necessary for duty execution.
Training: This position has a training requirement. Selectee(s) are required to attend and successfully complete a 59 days of paid training by the US Department of Agriculture and CBP Field Operations Academy (FOA) Prior to arriving at the FOA, you must complete 10 days of pre-academy training. Following the completion of the FOA, you must complete 13-weeks of post-academy training at the selectee(s) assigned duty station.
You may be required to successfully complete the training requirement as a condition of employment. Failure to successfully complete the required course(s) of training in accordance with CBP standards and policies will result in placement into either a former or different position, demotion, or separation as determined by management and appropriate procedures.
Motor Vehicle Operation: You must possess the ability to operate a Government Owned Vehicle. A valid, non-restricted driver's license is required.
Leadership Training: All newly appointed first-time CBP Supervisors are required to complete mandatory training. The training will be scheduled by the Office of Training and Development within the first 90 days of appointment. The duration of the training will include (Insert timeframe only: (for SLT) 3 weeks of in residence training in Harpers Ferry, WV. Note: This training may be waived if previously completed.
All first-line appointed supervisors, who have never completed a supervisory probationary period are required to successfully complete the Essential Supervisory Skills (ESS)

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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