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Federal law enforcement
Border Patrol Agent
Federal pay and benefits, in places you do not choose.
Typical pay
$50k-$100k
How you get in
Federal academy, about 6 months, paid
Outlook
Steady; recurring federal hiring surges
Border Patrol agents enforce immigration and customs law between ports of entry. Federal pay and retirement are strong; duty stations are assigned rather than chosen, and most are remote.
A day in the life
- 5:00aMuster, equipment check and assignment briefing
- 6:00aPatrol assigned sector by vehicle
- 9:00aCut sign and track along a known corridor
- 12:00pLunch in the field
- 1:00pProcess an apprehension and complete documentation
- 5:00pReports and evidence handling
How to get in
Direct federal hiring
Duration
9-18 months including hiring process
Cost
$0 — paid academy
Credential
Federal law enforcement certification
- Apply through USAJOBS during a hiring announcement
- Pass the entrance exam, fitness test, polygraph and background investigation
- Complete the academy in Artesia, New Mexico, including Spanish instruction
- Accept assignment to your duty station, which you do not choose
Veterans preference route
Duration
9-15 months
Cost
$0
Credential
Same federal certification
- Use veterans preference points in the federal hiring process
- Military experience is directly relevant and valued
- Complete the same academy and field training
- Military service time may count toward federal retirement
Into federal investigative roles
Duration
3-8 years
Cost
$0-$40,000
Credential
Federal experience plus a degree for some agencies
- Serve as an agent and build a strong record
- Complete a bachelor's if you do not already hold one
- Move into HSI, intelligence or specialized units
- Federal service time transfers between agencies
What people love
- · Federal pay, benefits and law enforcement retirement
- · No degree required
- · Paid academy training
- · Retirement eligibility after 20-25 years
What wears people down
- · Duty stations are assigned, often very remote
- · Shift work in extreme desert conditions
- · Politically contentious and publicly scrutinized
- · Spanish language requirement in the academy