With more than 60,000 employees, U.S. Border Patrol agents under the CBP is one of the world’s largest law enforcement organizations and is charged with keeping terrorists and their weapons out of the U.S. while facilitating lawful international travel and trade.
Keep reading to find out everything you need to know about a border patrol salary, ranging from their average salary to the highest paying cities and then down to added benefits.
Table of contents
What Does A Border Patrol Do?
The Border Patrol’s first aim is to keep terrorists and terrorist weapons, such as weapons of mass destruction, out of the United States. They work ceaselessly as watchful guards of our Nation’s frontiers, unfazed by searing desert heat or frigid northern winters.
While the Border Patrol has undergone significant changes since its beginnings in 1924, its core duty remains the same: to detect and prevent illegal entry into the United States.
The Border Patrol, along with other law enforcement officials, assists in the maintenance of functional borders, allowing for the free passage of legal immigrants and goods while preventing the unlawful trafficking of persons and contraband.
The Border Patrol is in charge of patrolling almost 6,000 miles of international land borders between Mexico and Canada, as well as more than 2,000 miles of coastal waterways encircling the Florida Peninsula and the island of Puerto Rico.
Agents operate on assignments throughout the clock in a variety of terrain and weather circumstances. They also work in a number of remote locations around the United States.
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How Much Does A Border Patrol Make?
According to a report from the official U.S Custom and Border Protection website Protection, 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.
Here’s a rundon of the average salary of Border Patrol agents according to their different levels.
| Grade | Base Salary | Average FY 2022 Locality, Overtime and Premium Pay | Total Compensation |
|---|---|---|---|
| GL-7 | $43,635 | $26,599 | $70,234 |
| GL-9 | $48,667 | $31,563 | $80,230 |
| GS-11 | $56,983 | $37,480 | $94,463 |
| GS-12 | $68,999 | $43,108 | $111,407 |
- 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-7, GL-9, GS-11, and GS-12. For more information, see the Career Progression section below.
Newly selected eligible Border Patrol Agents (BPA) will be offered a $5,000 recruitment incentive upon successful completion of the academy; additionally, new Agents accepting one of the following locations Sierra Blanca, TX; Presidio, TX; Sanderson, TX; Comstock, TX; Lordsburg, NM; Freer, TX; Hebbronville, TX; While AZ will be eligible for an additional $5,000 recruitment incentive (for a total of $10,000).
All the newly appointed eligible Border Patrol Agents (BPA) must meet the criteria defined in 5 CFR 575.102 for new federal employees and be required to attend the formal academy training. Agents may be offered the $5,000 remote location incentive regardless of the academy requirement. All incentive recipients are expected to sign a one-year service agreement.
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Average Border Patrol Salary
According to the most recent report on ZipRecruiter, the average annual pay for a CBP Border Patrol in the United States is $64,079 a year.
Indeed on the other hand pegs the average salary for a border patrol agent at $78,974 per year in the United States. This figure was collated from data gotten from 148 salaries that were reviewed and analyzed.
Border Patrol Agent Average Salary By State
Which Benefits Does US Customs and Border Protection Provide To Border Patrol Agents?
The United States government is committed to ensuring adequate provision of benefits to CBP agents. Here’s a list of benefits, and programs designed to help CBP employees and their family members.
1. Health Insurance (FEHB)
Through the Federal Employee Health Benefits (FEHB) program, CBP workers, retirees, and their qualifying family members may be able to choose from a wide range of healthcare plans.
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2. Dental and Vision Insurance (FEDVIP)
FEDVIP dental and vision coverage may be available to CBP employees and their families who are eligible for FEHB healthcare coverage.
3. Flexible Spending Accounts (FSAFEDS)
CBP employees and family members may be qualified to enroll in a pre-tax benefit account that can be used to pay for eligible medical, dental, and vision care expenses not covered by their healthcare plan.
4. Life Insurance (FEGLI)
Federal Personnel Group Life Insurance (FEGLI) coverage may be available to CBP employees. FEGLI coverage includes Basic life insurance as well as three types of Optional insurance.
5. Long-Term Care (FLTCIP)
If you can no longer do daily duties due to a chronic illness, accident, disability, or aging, the Federal Long Term Care Insurance Program (FLTCIP) can help you pay for long-term care.
6. Retirement
The Federal Employees Retirement System (FERS) or the Civil Service Retirement System are used by the majority of federal employees (CSRS). Both systems’ employees are eligible to join the federal Thrift Savings Plan (TSP).
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7. Survivor Benefits and Support
Nobody likes to think about the end of life, but it’s necessary to make plans to ensure that our loved ones are cared for in the event of death.
8. Special Agents Mutual Benefits Association (SAMBA)
Survivor benefits may not be paid for weeks or months after the death of a federal employee. Enroll in SAMBA’s Employee Benevolent Fund to receive a term life insurance coverage that pays out to your specified beneficiary right away.
9. Tuition Assistance Program (TAP)
CBP TAP provides financial assistance to CBP employees for voluntary off-duty education programs in support of professional and individual self-development goals.
For more information on Border Patrol benefits, visit the official website.
What Are The Highest Paying Cities For Border Patrol Agents
Here’s an outline of the top 10 cities where the salary of border patrol agents is quite above the national average salary. This list on ZipRecruiter comes from data derived from both employer job postings and third-party data sources.
| City | Annual Salary | Monthly Pay | Weekly Pay | Hourly Wage |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Green River, WY | $77,700 | $6,475 | $1,494 | $37.36 |
| Richmond, CA | $76,959 | $6,413 | $1,480 | $37.00 |
| Stamford, CT | $76,063 | $6,339 | $1,463 | $36.57 |
| Bellevue, WA | $75,633 | $6,303 | $1,454 | $36.36 |
| Belgrade, MT | $74,735 | $6,228 | $1,437 | $35.93 |
| Santa Clara, CA | $73,817 | $6,151 | $1,420 | $35.49 |
| San Francisco, CA | $72,513 | $6,043 | $1,394 | $34.86 |
| Hartford, CT | $72,074 | $6,006 | $1,386 | $34.65 |
| Elk Grove, CA | $71,972 | $5,998 | $1,384 | $34.60 |
| Gillette, WY | $71,942 | $5,995 | $1,383 | $34.59 |
FAQs On Border Patrol
Border patrol agents are stationed on land borders in places with little to no security when they perform law enforcement tasks. They spend more time on the field. CPB officers, on the other hand, are usually found at other points of entry into the country, such as airports.
Border patrol is projected to rise in the future. As part of counter-terrorism efforts, the US Congress is taking steps to boost the number of border patrol jobs in the country.
A border patrol agent’s work environment can be dangerous. Border patrol agents must ride horses, use special-issued skis, and drive all-terrain vehicles to protect the country’s borders, which include parched deserts and rugged mountainous terrains, in the sweltering heat, brutal winter storms, and other extreme weather conditions.
If you’re interested in becoming a border patrol agent, you’ll need to be under the age of 40.
Conclusion
Border Patrol Agents sit squarely on the front lines, guarding the U.S. against illegal activity while providing aid to those in need. It’s mentally and physically challenging and requires both courage and compassion. If you are looking for a rewarding job that also provides great pay, benefits, and job stability, you can join the team by visiting their website.
References
- cbp.gov – U.S Customs and Border Protection
- indeed.com – Border Patrol Agent
- ziprecruiter.com – CBP Border Patrol Salary
- zippia.com – AVERAGE BORDER PATROL AGENT SALARY
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