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Secret Service Agent Jobs in Texas (NOW HIRING)

AI - Full Stack Engineer

Dallas, TX · On-site

$80 - $88.88/hr

... services that support AI agent workflows. Responsibilities: Design and build modern frontend ... Ensure secure configuration, secret management, scalability, and observability in production ...

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Secret Service Agent information

See Texas salary details

$10

$18

$23

How much do secret service agent jobs pay per hour?

As of Aug 3, 2026, the average hourly pay for secret service agent in Texas is $18.10, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $15.24 and $19.04 per hour, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What are the most common challenges Secret Service Agents face while protecting high-profile individuals?

Secret Service Agents often encounter high-pressure situations that require quick decision-making and adaptability, especially when managing the unpredictable movements and interactions of protectees. They must stay vigilant and prepared for potential security threats while maintaining professionalism and discretion. Agents also frequently work irregular hours, travel extensively, and coordinate closely with law enforcement and event staff, making flexibility and teamwork essential to successfully carrying out their protective duties.

How do you get a job as a Secret Service agent?

To become a Secret Service agent, candidates typically need a bachelor's degree, relevant work experience, and must pass a rigorous background check, physical fitness test, and polygraph examination. Applicants often have law enforcement, military, or security experience and must complete specialized training at the Federal Law Enforcement Training Center (FLETC).

What is the difference between Secret Service Agent vs Federal Police Officer?

AspectSecret Service AgentFederal Police Officer
Required CredentialsBackground check, security clearance, sometimes specialized trainingPolice academy certification, background check, law enforcement training
Work EnvironmentProtecting national leaders, investigating financial crimes, often in government settingsPatrol, crime investigation, law enforcement duties across various jurisdictions
Employer & IndustryU.S. Department of Homeland Security, TreasuryFederal, state, or local law enforcement agencies

Secret Service Agents primarily focus on protecting national leaders and investigating financial crimes, requiring security clearances and specialized training. Federal Police Officers handle general law enforcement duties, including patrols and investigations, often working in local or federal agencies. While both roles involve law enforcement credentials, their work environments and responsibilities differ significantly.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as a Secret Service Agent, and why are they important?

To thrive as a Secret Service Agent, you need a background in criminal justice or law enforcement, physical fitness, and successful completion of rigorous federal training programs. Familiarity with protective intelligence systems, firearms, surveillance technology, and federal law enforcement certifications (such as FLETC graduation) is crucial. Strong judgment, discretion, resilience under pressure, and excellent communication skills set top agents apart. These skills and qualities are essential for ensuring the safety of protected individuals and effectively responding to critical security threats.

How much money does a Secret Service agent make?

A Secret Service agent's salary typically ranges from $45,000 to over $150,000 annually, depending on experience, location, and rank. Entry-level agents usually start around the lower end, with increases possible through promotions and specialized training, and the role often includes benefits such as health insurance and retirement plans.

What jobs pay 4000 a week without a degree?

Secret Service Agents typically do not earn $4,000 weekly without specialized training and experience; most law enforcement roles require relevant qualifications. However, high-paying jobs that can reach this level without a degree include certain sales positions, real estate brokers, commercial pilots, and skilled trades like electricians or plumbers with experience, often supplemented by certifications. These roles often demand specific skills, licenses, or extensive on-the-job training.

What are Secret Service Agents?

Secret Service Agents are federal law enforcement officers who work for the United States Secret Service. Their primary duties include protecting the President, Vice President, and other designated individuals, as well as investigating crimes related to counterfeiting, financial fraud, and threats against national leaders. Agents undergo rigorous training and often travel frequently as part of their protective assignments. They play a crucial role in national security and must maintain the highest levels of integrity, discretion, and physical fitness.

How hard is it to become a Secret Service agent?

Becoming a Secret Service agent requires meeting strict eligibility criteria, including U.S. citizenship, a bachelor's degree, relevant work experience, and passing a series of background checks, physical fitness tests, and interviews. Candidates often need to demonstrate strong communication skills, integrity, and the ability to handle high-pressure situations, with many applicants having law enforcement or military backgrounds.
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What cities in Texas are hiring for Secret Service Agent jobs? Cities in Texas with the most Secret Service Agent job openings:
Infographic showing various Secret Service Agent job openings in Texas as of July 2026, with employment types broken down into 1% Locum Tenens, 92% Full Time, 5% Part Time, and 2% Contract. Highlights an 92% Physical, 1% Hybrid, and 7% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $37,638 per year, or $18.1 per hour.

Special Agent - Special Agent Talent & Achievement Recruitment (STAR)

US Department of Homeland Security

Houston, TX

$48K/yr

Other

Re-posted 4 days ago


U.S. Department Of Homeland Security rating

7.8

Company rating: 7.8 out of 10

Based on 86 frontline employees who took The Breakroom Quiz

92nd of 288 rated public sector bodies


Job description

Joining the Secret Service as a Special Agent will allow you to perform critical protective and investigative assignments. The Special Agent position starts at a base salary of $48,854.00 (GL-07, step 1), with promotion potential to $118,204.00 (GS-13, step 10).
This position is covered by Law Enforcement Availability Pay (LEAP) which is an additional compensation of 25% of the basic rate of pay.
For more information on the Secret Service click here.Qualifications:

As a condition of employment for accepting this position, you may be required to serve a 2-year trial period during which we will evaluate your fitness and whether your continued employment advances the public interest. In determining if your employment advances the public interest, we may consider:

  • your performance and conduct;
  • the needs and interests of the agency;
  • whether your continued employment would advance organizational goals of the agency or the Government; and
  • whether your continued employment would advance the efficiency of the Federal service.
Upon completion of your trial period your employment will be terminated unless you receive certification, in writing, that your continued employment advances the public interest.

You are minimally qualified for the GL-07 Level (starting base salary $48,854) if you possess one of the following:

  • A bachelor's degree from an accredited college or university with superior academic achievement (S.A.A.) which is based on class standing, grade-point average, or honor society membership. For more information on S.A.A. please click here; OR
  • Have at least one full year of graduate level education (i.e. 18 semester hours); OR
  • Have at least one year of specialized experience equivalent to the GL-5 level. Specialized experience is defined as, experience writing non-technical reports, drafting responses to requests for information, and writing brief, informative or routine reports; gathering information, analyzing it and summarizing the results of your findings; taking responsibility for own actions to meet deadlines; presenting specific, pre-determined information at meetings, conferences, or seminars as a representative of a work or academic group; OR
  • A combination of specialized experience, as described above, and related graduate level education.
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.

Applicants must successfully pass Phase 1 assessments (see below) to receive a Conditional Job Offer. In addition, applicants must successfully pass Phase II (see below) to receive final consideration for employment.

Phase I:

  • National Crime Information Center
  • Special Agent Entrance Exam (SAEE)
  • Applicant Physical Abilities Test (APAT)
  • Interview

Phase II:

  • Credit Check
  • Security Interview
  • Polygraph examination
  • Drug screening
  • Medical examination
  • Background investigation (a top-secret security clearance)

The Secret Service follows stringent guidelines relating to illegal drug usage. An applicant's history is reviewed and a determination for employment is made according to our guidelines. For more information regarding the U.S. Secret Service drug guidelines please click here to view our Drug Policy.

As part of the application process the applicant will be required to complete the United States Secret Service Applicant Physical Abilities Test (APAT). It is a physical fitness assessment which consists of four components (push-ups, sit-ups, Illinois Agility Run and a 1.5 Mile Run). The APAT is designed to measure the current level of general physical fitness of an applicant, which serves as an indicator of an applicant's ability to safely complete a vigorous physical training program. It evaluates the applicant's ability to perform the physical tasks required on the job by measuring muscular and dynamic strength, endurance, flexibility, aerobic capacity and other factors related to physical aptitude. For more information about the APAT, please click here.

General Medical Requirements: As determined by OPM the duties of this position require moderate to arduous physical exertion involving walking and standing, use of firearms, and exposure to inclement weather. Manual dexterity with comparatively free motion of fingers, wrist, elbows, shoulders, hips and knee joints is required. Arms, hands, legs and feet must function sufficiently in order for applicants to perform the duties satisfactorily.

Education:Applicants who are within 9 months of graduating from their Bachelor's program are encouraged to begin the application process for STAR. A final transcript from an accredited school confirming degree conferral and superior academic achievement (S.A.A.) which is based on class standing, grade-point average (minimum cumulative GPA of 3.0), or honor society membership is required prior to a final job offer. Education must be accredited by an accrediting institution recognized by the U.S. Department of Education. All education claimed by applicants will be verified upon appointment. If you are using foreign education to meet qualification requirements, you must send a Certificate of Foreign Equivalency with your transcript to receive credit. For more information on S.A.A. please click here.Employment Type: OTHER

What U.S. Department Of Homeland Security employees say

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U.S. Department of Homeland Security logo

About U.S. Department of Homeland Security

Sourced by ZipRecruiter

The US Department of Homeland Security (DHS) is a federal agency operating within the government services industry in Washington, DC, US. Established in 2003, the DHS is directly responsible for public security, roughly comparable to the interior or home ministries of other countries. Its main responsibilities include protecting the United States from and responding to terrorist attacks, man-made accidents, and natural disasters. Through its more than 20 component agencies including Coast Guard, Customs and Border Protection, Immigration and Customs Enforcement, it ensures the safety of the US through numerous programs and initiatives. The DHS upholds a core value system with the mission of safeguarding the American people, our homeland, and values. Notably, the DHS plays a critical role in the spectral range of activities to prepare, prevent, and respond to possible threats to the US.

Industry

Public administration

Company size

10,000+ Employees

Headquarters location

Washington, DC, US

Year founded

2003