Border Patrol Agent
Pay and Benefits
Border Patrol Agents are competitively rewarded for their time on the job. In addition to base salary, agents may be eligible for locality pay, overtime pay, and more.
| Grade | Base Salary | Average FY 2023 Locality, Overtime and Premium Pay | Total Compensation |
|---|---|---|---|
| GL-5 | $39,910 | $22,185 | $62,095 |
| GL-7 | $45,426 | $25,726 | $71,152 |
| GL-9 | $50,662 | $29,384 | $80,046 |
| GS-11 | $59,319 | $34,819 | $94,138 |
| GS-12 | $71,099 | $43,523 | $114,622 |
- Salary: Your salary corresponds to your grade level, as quoted on USAJOBS.
- Overtime Pay: Earn up to 25% of your salary for time worked outside the 40-hour work week.
- Locality Pay: You may receive pay on top of your salary, depending on what county you work in. Explore Law Enforcement Officer (LEO) Locality Pay Tables.
- Premium Pay: You may be eligible for premium pay for working on Sundays, holidays and night shifts.
- Cash Awards: Outstanding performers may receive cash awards as recognition for their superior efforts, funding permitting.
- Career Progression: Border Patrol Agent is a career ladder position with a grade level progression of GL-5, GL-7, GL-9, GS-11, and GS-12. For more information, see the Career Progression section below.
Want to learn what grade level you would qualify for? Review the Border Patrol Agent Qualification Aid.
CBP offers Border Patrol Agents substantial leave benefits and unique training opportunities, including:
13 to 26 DAYS
OF ANNUAL LEAVE ACCRUED PER YEAR
11 FEDERAL HOLIDAYS
PER YEAR
15 DAYS OF MILITARY RESERVE
13 DAYS OF SICK LEAVE ACCRUED PER YEAR
OPPORTUNITIES FOR PAID TRAINING
Overview
The maximum amount of annual leave that you may carry over into the following year is 30 days. There is no limit to the amount of sick leave that you may accrue. For more details, visit the Benefits page.
Disabled Veteran Leave
Employees eligible under the Wounded Warriors Federal Leave Act are entitled to disabled veteran leave for the purpose of undergoing medical treatment for a service connected disability. View the Disabled Veteran Leave Fact Sheet for more information.
CBP supports agents with long-term career success, rapid promotion potential and first-rate training for new and current agents. Border Patrol Agent (BPA) is a career ladder position with a grade level progression of GL-5, GL-7, GL-9, GS-11 and GS-12. You will be eligible for a promotion to the next grade level with reapplying once you successfully complete one year in each grade level, with supervisor approval. At the GS-13 level and beyond, you compete for positions and are promoted based on merit with significant pay boost for progressing on the career ladder.
Entry Level: BPA entry level positions are GL-7 and GL-9, after completion of the U.S. Border Patrol Academy in Artesia, New Mexico.
Journeyman: Journeyman positions entail more responsibility, duties and higher performance standards.
Supervisory: Supervisory roles include leadership and increased responsibilities.
Executive: Beyond the GS-15 level is the Senior Executive Service (SES), which makes up the core of CBP’s leadership. SES is typically responsible for high-level decisions, CBP's vision and interacting with external stakeholders and Congress.
The CBP Tuition Assistance Program (TAP) reimburses Border Patrol Agents for off-duty post-secondary education costs of tuition, fees and books.
An agent may apply for benefits up to $1750 per course and $5250 per calendar year for a professional certification or for any two- or four-year degree, including associates, bachelors, masters and doctorates.
Employee health is of the utmost importance to CBP. Border Patrol Agents are eligible to choose from a variety of medical insurance policies and other healthcare insurance options and take advantage of flexible spending accounts. Programs available include:
- Federal Long Term Care Insurance Program (FLTCIP)
- Special Agents Mutual Benefit Association (SAMBA) Employee Benevolent Fund
You may be eligible to keep your health insurance in retirement while paying the same subsidized premium as a current employee. Learn more about continued health insurance benefits for you and your family in retirement.
CBP continues to support agents retiring from the agency with the Federal Employees Retirement System (FERS), which includes three streams of income:
FERS Basic Annuity Under Special Provisions: Border Patrol Agents that serve in the federal government with at least 20 years of law enforcement service are eligible for this guaranteed lifetime pension, which is a percentage of a retiree's highest average pay earned during any 3 consecutive years of service. Learn more about FERS basic annuity.
Thrift Savings Plan: Thrift Savings Plan (TSP) is a defined contribution plan designed to give federal employees the same retirement savings-related benefits as with 401(K) plans in the private sector. Employees choose the amount to contribute, which is transferable if you change employers, with employer matching up to 5% of your base salary. Learn more about the Thrift Savings Plan.
Social Security: Border Patrol Agent retirees may receive social security retirement payments; benefits are transferable if you change employers. Learn more about Social Security retirement benefits.
Law Enforcement 6(c) Retirement Coverage: Border Patrol Agents qualify for 6(c) retirement coverage, which permits retirement at any age after 25 years of service or at age 50 with at least 20 years of service. 6(c) eligibility is a factor for determining your FERS basic annuity.
