Customs & Border Protection Salary
The U.S. Border Patrol is the law enforcement branch of U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP), and Border Patrol agents patrol the U.S. borders with Mexico and Canada. CBP officers work at points of entry such as airports or ports to screen passengers and cargo for illegal or dangerous materials. These two positions make up the majority of front-line work at the CPB, with more than 20,000 people in each role.
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Requirements
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Both positions require a rigorous screening, testing and interviewing process. Applicants must be U.S. citizens residing in the U.S.. Those interested in the position complete an application online, and examinations are required of those who make it past the application stage. Examinations will primarily cover logical reasoning; there are detailed study guides available for each position's exam. In addition to background security checks, applicants may be required to go through a polygraph interview. Border Patrol agents are required to speak Spanish, although it can be learned during training. Border Patrol agent candidates must also take a Spanish examination before they can begin work as an agent.
CBP Officer Salary
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Salaries within CBP are federally mandated through the U.S. Office of Personnel Management. Most people start as a CBP officer at grades GS-5 or GS-7. Starting grade will depend on qualifications and experience. For those that start as GS-5, the starting salary is $31,315; $38,790 for those that start at GS-7. According to CPB, officers are typically reviewed annually, and if performance is satisfactory, an officer can move up the pay scale, and also receive increased responsibilities.
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Border Patrol Salary
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New Border Patrol agents are initially hired at the GL-5 or GL-7 grade, but can also be hired up to GL-9 based on their experience. Grade GL-5 starts at $38,619, GL-7 is $43,964, and those hired at grade GL-9 earn $49,029 annually. Agents frequently receive overtime and holiday pay, as well as locality pay. Some agents may also qualify for additional law enforcement salary rates above the normal grade.
Career Path
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According to the CBP recruitment guide, promotions are an expected part of the career path. Promotions typically happen annually, following a year of satisfactory service. CBP Border Patrol agents and CBP officers move up the pay grade based on years of experience and performance. Pay grades for supervisors are the same for both CPB officers and Border Patrol agents. The "journeyman" grade of GS-11 earns approximately $70,000, including overtime and holiday pay. Those Border Patrol agents who qualify as journeymen can also be considered for canine team positions. GS-12 grade positions are management level, and the positions are available on a competitive basis.
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