Border Patrol Agent

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.Find out exactly what skills, experience, and qualifications you will need to succeed in this role before applying below. If you are looking for a rewarding career with great pay, benefits, and job stability, now is the time to make your move. 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. Preventing the illegal entry of individuals and prohibited goods and the smuggling of illegal drugs and other contraband. Duty Locations – Incentives available for some locations You will be asked to provide your preference for one of the following mission-critical locations: (list truncated for brevity – include full list in production) 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. Salary – and Duty Location Recruitment Incentives – and Benefits Annual Base Salary for newly appointed CBPOs varies as follows: GS-9: $61,111 - $124,443 per year Note: A fully trained CBPO is eligible for up to $45,000 in overtime pay in addition to the starting salary. Officers are eligible to select from an array of federal employment benefits that include health, dental and other insurance plans, generous annual and sick leave, and participation in the Thrift Savings Plan. LOCATION INCENTIVES: If you accept one of the duty locations listed below, you may be eligible to receive an additional 15%-25% of your salary each year for the first three (3) years of employment in addition to any overtime pay. Some locations may offer 25% for four (4) years. Duty locations offering 25% recruitment incentives: Otay Mesa, San Francisco, San Ysidro, and Tecate, CA; Key West, FL; etc. Duty locations offering 15% recruitment incentives: Honolulu, HI; Portal, ND; etc. Duty location offering 10% recruitment incentives: Calexico, CA 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 laws and regulations relating to importing, exporting, and/or international shipping. Utilizing intelligence techniques and behavior analysis to identify potential threats. Conducting interviews in a law enforcement capacity. Education Substitution: A master's (or higher) 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. Other Requirements: Citizenship: Must be a U.S. Citizen. Residency: Primary U.S. residency for at least three of the last five years. Age Restriction: Must be referred before your 40th birthday (some exceptions apply). Veterans’ Preference: Eligible veterans may qualify for excepted service appointment. Formal Training: Includes two-week orientation and 101-day academy at FLETC in Glynco, GA. Spanish training may be required for certain locations. How to Apply: Click the Apply button on this site. You’ll be directed to the CBP Talent Network page. Select "Customs and Border Protection Officer" as your Position of Interest. You’ll receive a link to the official job posting on USAJOBS to complete your application. Be sure to follow all instructions. As a subscriber to the CBP Talent Network, you’ll receive monthly emails with updates and opportunities.

Created: 2025-09-16