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$35K

$65.6K

$104.5K

How much do secret service special agent jobs pay per year?

As of Jun 28, 2026, the average yearly pay for secret service special agent in the United States is $65,642.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $52,000.00 and $78,000.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

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

To thrive as a Secret Service Special Agent, you need a bachelor’s degree, physical fitness, strong investigative skills, and eligibility for top secret security clearance. Familiarity with criminal databases, surveillance technology, firearms, and completion of specialized training at the Federal Law Enforcement Training Centers (FLETC) are essential. Exceptional judgment, discretion, adaptability, and interpersonal skills help agents respond effectively in high-pressure environments. These skills and qualities are vital to ensure the safety of protectees and the successful investigation of financial and cyber crimes.

How much money does a Secret Service agent make?

A Secret Service special agent's salary typically starts around $50,000 to $60,000 annually for entry-level positions and can increase to over $150,000 with experience, seniority, and additional responsibilities. Salaries are based on the federal pay scale, and agents often receive benefits such as overtime pay, hazard pay, and allowances for travel and protective duties.

What do special agents do in the Secret Service?

Secret Service special agents are responsible for protecting the President, Vice President, their families, and other high-level officials. They also investigate financial crimes such as counterfeiting, credit card fraud, and identity theft. Agents conduct investigations, perform security assessments, and coordinate protective details using specialized training and tools.

How hard is it to become a Secret Service agent?

Becoming a Secret Service special agent requires meeting strict eligibility criteria, including U.S. citizenship, a minimum of three years of professional experience or a college degree, and passing a series of tests, background checks, and physical fitness assessments. Candidates often undergo extensive training at the Federal Law Enforcement Training Center (FLETC) and must demonstrate strong investigative, communication, and decision-making skills, making the process highly competitive and demanding.

What are some common challenges Secret Service Special Agents face during protective assignments?

Secret Service Special Agents often encounter challenges such as adapting to rapidly changing security environments, maintaining vigilance during long hours, and coordinating with multiple agencies and stakeholders. Protective assignments can require frequent travel, quick decision-making in high-pressure situations, and the ability to balance both protection and investigative responsibilities. Agents must remain flexible and resilient while upholding the agency's rigorous standards for confidentiality and professionalism.

What are Secret Service Special Agents?

Secret Service Special Agents are highly trained federal law enforcement officers responsible for protecting the President, Vice President, their families, and visiting foreign dignitaries. They also investigate and prevent crimes related to counterfeiting, financial fraud, and cybercrimes. To become a Special Agent, candidates must meet rigorous physical, educational, and background requirements, and complete specialized training at the Federal Law Enforcement Training Centers. Their work often involves travel, long hours, and the ability to respond quickly to threats or emergencies.

How to get a job as a Secret Service agent?

To become a Secret Service special agent, candidates must meet age, education, and background requirements, pass a series of exams including a written test and physical fitness test, and complete a thorough background investigation. Applicants typically need a bachelor's degree and relevant work experience, often in law enforcement or related fields, and must successfully complete training at the Federal Law Enforcement Training Center (FLETC).
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Secret Service Special Agent jobs near you
Special Agent - Special Agent Talent & Achievement Recruitment (STAR)

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

US Department of Homeland Security

Houston, TX • On-site

$48K/yr

Other

Posted 29 days ago

U.S. Department Of Homeland Security rating

7.8

Company rating: 7.8 out of 10

Based on 85 frontline employees who took The Breakroom Quiz

84th of 276 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

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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

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