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Temporary Border Patrol Agent Jobs (NOW HIRING)

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Temporary Border Patrol Agent information

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$45K

$88.2K

$131K

How much do temporary border patrol agent jobs pay per year?

As of Jun 12, 2026, the average yearly pay for temporary border patrol agent in the United States is $88,157.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $46,500.00 and $111,500.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

Can ICE ask you to unlock your phone?

As a Temporary Border Patrol Agent, you should know that U.S. Customs and Border Protection officers, including Border Patrol agents, have the authority to request access to electronic devices, such as phones, during border searches. They can ask you to unlock your phone if they have reasonable suspicion or probable cause, but you are not legally required to unlock it without a warrant unless specific circumstances apply. It is important to understand your rights and the agency's procedures regarding searches and device access.

How much does a CBP agent get paid?

A Temporary Border Patrol Agent typically earns between $50,000 and $70,000 annually, depending on experience, location, and step within the pay scale. The position often includes benefits such as health insurance and retirement plans, and agents may receive overtime pay and hazard pay in certain situations.

Does Border Patrol hire entry level?

Yes, the Border Patrol hires entry-level candidates for positions such as Border Patrol Agent. Applicants typically need a high school diploma or equivalent, pass physical and background checks, and complete training at the Federal Law Enforcement Training Center (FLETC).

How hard is it to get hired as a Border Patrol agent?

Getting hired as a Border Patrol agent involves a competitive process that includes passing written exams, physical fitness tests, background checks, and interviews. Candidates typically need to meet age, education, and citizenship requirements, and completing training at the Federal Law Enforcement Training Center is also required.

What are some common challenges faced by Temporary Border Patrol Agents during their assignments?

Temporary Border Patrol Agents often encounter physically demanding conditions, including working long shifts outdoors in varying weather and terrain. They may also face unpredictable schedules and a fast-paced environment that requires quick decision-making and adaptability. Building rapport with permanent team members and staying updated on evolving protocols are essential to succeed in this temporary role. Despite these challenges, the position offers valuable law enforcement experience and opportunities to contribute meaningfully to national security.

What is the difference between Temporary Border Patrol Agent vs Border Patrol Agent?

AspectTemporary Border Patrol AgentBorder Patrol Agent
CredentialsHigh school diploma or equivalent, background check, basic physical fitnessSame as Temporary Border Patrol Agent, often with additional experience or training
Work EnvironmentTemporary assignments along borders, field operations, checkpointsPermanent duty stations along US borders, field and administrative roles
Employer & IndustryU.S. Customs and Border Protection, federal governmentU.S. Customs and Border Protection, federal government

Temporary Border Patrol Agents and Border Patrol Agents share similar credentials, work environments, and employer. The main difference is that Temporary Border Patrol Agents work on short-term assignments, while Border Patrol Agents serve in permanent roles. Both positions are essential for border security and require similar qualifications.

What are Temporary Border Patrol Agents?

Temporary Border Patrol Agents are law enforcement officers hired on a short-term basis by U.S. Customs and Border Protection to help secure the nation's borders. They perform many of the same duties as permanent Border Patrol Agents, such as patrolling the border, preventing illegal entry, and apprehending individuals who violate immigration laws. These positions are typically filled to address seasonal surges or specific operational needs and may last for a defined period, often up to one year. Temporary agents receive training and must meet the same qualifications as permanent agents, though their employment does not guarantee a permanent position.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as a Temporary Border Patrol Agent, and why are they important?

To thrive as a Temporary Border Patrol Agent, you need physical fitness, knowledge of law enforcement procedures, and at least a high school diploma or equivalent, often supplemented by passing rigorous background and entrance exams. Familiarity with surveillance technology, radios, and data entry systems is commonly required, and completion of training at a federal law enforcement academy is typical. Strong observation, decision-making, and interpersonal communication skills help agents remain effective and professional in high-pressure, unpredictable situations. These abilities are crucial to ensure public safety, maintain border security, and uphold federal laws under challenging conditions.
More about Temporary Border Patrol Agent jobs
What cities are hiring for Temporary Border Patrol Agent jobs? Cities with the most Temporary Border Patrol Agent job openings:
What are the most commonly searched types of Border Patrol Agent jobs? The most popular types of Border Patrol Agent jobs are:
What states have the most Temporary Border Patrol Agent jobs? States with the most job openings for Temporary Border Patrol Agent jobs include:
What job categories do people searching Temporary Border Patrol Agent jobs look for? The top searched job categories for Temporary Border Patrol Agent jobs are:
Infographic showing various Temporary Border Patrol Agent job openings in the United States as of June 2026, with employment types broken down into 2% Locum Tenens, 88% Full Time, 7% Part Time, and 3% Contract. Highlights an 99% Physical, and 1% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $88,157 per year, or $42.4 per hour.
Border Patrol Agent - Experienced

Border Patrol Agent - Experienced

Customs and Border Protection

Sunland Park, NM

$65K - $124K/yr

Full-time

Medical, Retirement

Posted 4 days ago


U.S. Customs and Border Protection rating

8.6

Company rating: 8.6 out of 10

Based on 27 frontline employees who took The Breakroom Quiz

125th of 649 rated public administrative organizations


Job description

Border Patrol Agent (BPA) - Experienced (GL-9 GS-11) - New Hire Sign-On and Retention Incentives
SAME MISSION, NEW DRIVE!
You love protecting your community and doing your part to keep our nation safe. But maybe you're looking for a change of scenery?
USBP is hiring immediately for full-time, career positions, where your prior law enforcement officer (LEO) experience may qualify you for higher-graded Border Patrol Agent (BPA) opportunities. Continue making a difference with the nation's premier federal agency charged with securing our borders and protecting our country.
Whether you gained this experience as part of a military police unit or as a member of a state or local law enforcement organization, you have an opportunity to work with highly trained professionals whose camaraderie, pride, and purpose are hallmarks of their daily mission.
Check out the duties and responsibilities section below, along with the qualifications section to see if you are eligible. Now is the time to make your move, along with excellent base pay, location pay, exceptional benefits, and job stability, USBP is offering up to $60,000 in additional incentives to newly appointed Agents (see details below).
DON'T FORGET TO CHECK OUT THE INCENTIVES - SEE SALARY SECTION BELOW
IMPORTANT NOTICE: Duty assignments available at the time of offer may include the Southwest Border, including prioritized locations.

U.S. Border Patrol determines duty assignments at the time of offer based on operational needs, which may or may not align with candidates' first-choice preferences. Relocation may be required.
U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) is hiring immediately for these full-time, career Law Enforcement Officer (LEO) opportunities.
Salary and Benefits: Salary for newly appointed law enforcement Border Patrol Agents varies from:
  • Base Salary: GL-9/GS-11, $65,545 - $124,717per year
  • Locality Pay: Varies by duty location.
  • Overtime Pay: Up to 25%
Duty location impacts pay rates; locality pay for federal law enforcement is higher in some locations than others. A fully trained BPA may be eligible for up to an additional 25% of base pay per the BPA Pay Reform Act of 2014. This is a career ladder position with a grade level progression from GL-9 to GS-11 to 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 the lower grade level.
All Border Patrol Agents may select from an array of federal employment benefits that include health and insurance plans, a generous annual and sick leave program, and participation in the Thrift Savings Plan, a retirement plan that is similar to traditional and ROTH 401(k) offerings.
Recruitment Incentive Newly appointed Border Patrol Agents will be offered up to a $20,000 incentive. The first $10,000 will be paid upon successful completion of the Border Patrol Academy, with the remaining $10,000 awarded for accepting a prioritized location. Prioritized locations include Sierra Blanca, TX; Presidio, TX; Sanderson, TX; Comstock, TX; Lordsburg, NM; Freer, TX; Hebbronville, TX; Ajo, AZ.
Retention Incentive Newly appointed Border Patrol Agents may also qualify for up to $40,000 in additional incentives distributed over their first four years.
Duty Locations: You will be asked to select your preferred location for one of the following mission critical locations:
  • Big Bend Sector Stations - Presidio, Van Horn, Sanderson, Alpine, Sierra Blanca, Marfa
  • Buffalo Sector Stations - Wellesley Island
  • Del Rio Sector Stations - Del Rio, Brackettville, Comstock, Eagle Pass North, Eagle Pass South, Carrizo Springs, Uvalde
  • El Paso Sector Stations - Alamogordo, Clint, Deming, El Paso, Fort Hancock, Las Cruces, Lordsburg, Santa Teresa, Ysleta
  • El Centro Sector Stations - El Centro, Indio, Calexico
  • Grand Forks Sector Stations - Pembina
  • Havre Sector Stations - Havre, Malta, Plentywood, Scobey, Sweetgrass
  • Houlton Sector Stations - Calais, Fort Fairfield, Jackman, Rangeley, Van Buren
  • Laredo Sector Stations - Laredo South, Cotulla, Hebbronville, Laredo West, Freer, Laredo North, Zapata
  • Rio Grande Valley Sector Stations - Rio Grande City, Fort Brown, McAllen, Brownsville, Falfurrias, Weslaco, Kingsville, Harlingen
  • San Diego Sector Stations - Boulevard, Brownfield, Campo, Chula Vista, Imperial Beach, Murrieta, San Clemente
  • Spokane Sector Stations - Colville, Curlew, Metaline Falls, Oroville
  • Swanton Sector Stations - Beecher Falls, Burke, Champlain, Newport, Richford
  • Tucson Sector Stations - Ajo, Tucson, Nogales, Douglas, Brian A Terry, Sonoita, Casa Grande, Three Points Substation, Willcox
  • Yuma Sector Stations - Blythe, Yuma, Wellton
Duties and Responsibilities:

As a BPA, 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 BPA makes you a valuable member of the Federal Law Enforcement Officer (LEO) profession.
Typical assignments include:
  • Detecting and questioning people suspected of violating immigration and customs laws and inspecting documents and possessions to determine citizenship or violations.
  • Preventing and apprehending aliens and smugglers of aliens at or near the borders by maintaining surveillance from covert positions to include using infrared scopes during night operations.
  • Interpreting and following tracks, marks, and other physical evidence of illegal entry of persons or contraband.
  • Performing farm checks, building checks, traffic checks, city patrols, and transportation checks.
  • Patrolling the international boundary and coastal waterways using a variety of government assets such as vehicles, horses, vessels, watercraft, off-road vehicles, ATVs, snowmobiles, and motorcycles for the accomplishment of the USBP Mission.
Qualifications:
GL-9: You qualify for the GL-9 grade level
if you possess one (1) year of specialized experience, equivalent to at least the next lower grade level, performing duties such as:
  • Performing physical searches of detained individuals, their vehicles, and their immediate surroundings for weapons, contraband, currency, and other evidence.
  • Apprehending, physically restraining, or working with law enforcement officials to identify or apprehend violators of state, federal, or immigration laws.
  • Proficient in the use of firearms, preparing investigative reports, serving court orders (e.g., warrants, subpoenas, etc.), and gathering evidence for criminal cases prosecuted through the court system.
If you have previous or current law enforcement or military law enforcement experience, you may qualify at the GS-11 grade level.
GS-11: You qualify for the GS-11 grade level
if you possess one year of specialized experience equivalent to at least the next lower grade level, with the authority granted by the state or government to enforce laws, make arrests, and investigate crimes, performing primary duties in an official law enforcement capacity such as:
  • Utilizing intelligence information to track illegal operations, criminal activity, threats to our nation, and/or contraband while serving as a state, federal, or military law enforcement official.
  • Leading investigations of fraud, contraband, criminal activity, threats to our nation, and/or illegal operations to determine sources and patterns while serving as a state, federal, or military law enforcement official.
  • Apprehending violators of state, federal, or immigration laws by utilizing various forms of complex technology that include surveillance, detection, situation awareness systems, and/or communications equipment.
The above experience will be applied in connection with the following: Make arrests and exercise sound judgment in the use of firearms; deal effectively with people in a courteous manner in connection with law enforcement matters; analyze information rapidly and make prompt decisions; or develop and maintain contact with a network of informants.
There are no education substitutions for the GL-9 or GS-11 grade-level Border Patrol Agent opportunities.
Other Requirements:
Citizenship:
You must be a U.S. Citizen to apply for this position.
Residency: You must have had primary U.S. residency (including protectorates as declared under international law) for at least three of the last five 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 Border Patrol Agent 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: After you are hired, you will be detailed to the U.S. Border Patrol Academy in Artesia, New Mexico, for approximately six (6) months of intensive instruction in immigration and nationality laws, law enforcement . click apply for full job details

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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