How much money does an entry level fbi agent make

how much money does an entry level fbi agent make

The prestige that accompanies a position in this hallowed institution is complemented by highly lucrative salaries that exceed most of those found in other law enforcement or intelligence agencies. The General Schedule system has 15 levels with each level broken up into 10 steps. In order to advance to the nest GS level, an employee must first obtain all ten steps. The slowest rate of progression is stipulated as one year for steps 2, 3, and 4, two years for steps 5,6, and 7 and three years for steps 8, 9, tbi These salaries are almost always adjusted to reflect the higher cost of living associated with a job posting. Employees may also receive significant bonuses for extended work hours, extended availability, foes occupational hazards. Due to the rigorous screening process and challenging professional duties for its Special Agents, these employees are provided a number of salary advantages not typically found in other categories of FBI employees. As law enforcement miney, FBI Agents also merit retirement after 20 to 25 years of service rather than the typical mobey years required of most federal employees.

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Becoming an agent with the Federal Bureau of Investigation requires you to meet a variety of qualifications. You must be between the ages of 23 and 37, pass a medical exam, have at least a bachelor’s degree and hold either U. You will need a valid driver’s license and be available to take a duty post anywhere the FBI sends you. You will also need at least three years of relevant experience. The U. Office of Personnel Management issues annual pay schedules for FBI agents, including starting salaries. All federal jobs receive a pay grade, based on the duties, qualifications and requirements of the job. For federal law-enforcement officers, the pay grades run from 1 to Within each pay grade are 10 steps that employees can progress through, earning higher salaries without having to earn a promotion in grade. After the OPM determines the base salary for each grade and step, it increases the salaries by a fixed percentage to adjust pay to more accurately reflect wages and expenses in different locations.

FBI agents investigate federal crimes, collecting evidence, conducting interviews, and analyzing data. Their jobs include desk work, fieldwork, testifying in federal court, and traveling. They receive availability and locality pay on top of their salaries, along with benefits that include retirement, health and life insurance, vacation, and sick leave. This guide contains detailed information on salary, earning potential, and benefits that will help you decide if a career as an FBI agent is right for you. The rates consist of grades GS or GL and steps within each grade, with pay increases pursuant to length of time employed. Salaries are affected by degrees earned, experience, and the locality in which agents work. The table below summarizes typical salaries at various points in an agent’s career and includes a link to locality pay tables. New hires with bachelor’s degrees but no prior government service earn salaries at the GL, Step 1 level. Those with prior government experience are eligible to start at a higher step within the GL range. New agents undergoing training also earn locality pay for the Washington, D. Once training is completed, they may be assigned to a field office with a different locality pay rate. The table below features a few examples of what FBI agents can expect to earn based on years of service.

Steps for Becoming an FBI Agent

A person who wants a law enforcement career on the federal level might join the Federal Bureau of Investigation. The FBI selects only candidates who have taken certain courses of study and who pass physical tests. A person looking to gain employment as an FBI special agent must first complete a four-year degree at minimum. The FBI seeks only candidates who have studied certain disciplines. Candidates generally range in age from 23 to If a candidate passes the evaluations, he will train for the special agent position at the FBI Academy located in Quantico, Virginia. Because special agents work for the federal government, wages are based on the general schedule pay scale, which ranks jobs according to difficulty and responsibility. The scale ranges from GS-1 to GS After graduating from the academy, new special agents receive assignments in one of the 56 FBI field offices.

Education Requirements

Conservative think-tanks have argued that when benefits, job security, and number of hours worked are taken into consideration, federal employees are better compensated than the average. It is also one of the top full-time US employers of people without four-year college degrees:. Some of their employees have been furloughed, while others are working without pay. The Securities and Exchange Commission, the stock market watchdog, tops the list, in part, because it competes with Wall Street banks for employees. These jobs can sometimes require a doctorate , as well as years of highly specialized experience, like international diplomacy, familiarity with trade law, or experience curbing disease outbreaks. About one-third of the staff, some 13, people, are agents; the rest are support staff. FBI agents themselves are paid far less than some city and state law enforcement officers with comparable or even fewer skills. They are also required to have special skills, such as speaking a foreign language, or in-depth knowledge of accounting, law, or cybersecurity. Before being hired, they must pass a rigorous background check that probes everything from credit history to past drug use. Non-agents at the FBI earn considerably less. Not surprisingly, outside organizations are viewing furloughed government workers as a potential labor pool. This article has been updated to include further description of locality pay. Skip to navigation Skip to content.

TSA on the front lines

The Federal Bureau of Investigation is the country’s principal law enforcement agency and is charged with defending the United States from terrorism and enforcing federal laws. A candidate needs the right education, background and personal qualities to even have a shot at becoming an FBI agent. The job is both stressful and prestigious, and successful agents are rewarded with salaries that exceed those found in other law enforcement professions. The main role of an FBI agent involves investigating crimes and enforcing federal laws. On any given day, she may be interviewing witnesses, conducting surveillance activities, participating in arrests or working undercover. The jobs can be dangerous as they may involve the investigation of serious criminal activities, such as human trafficking, cybercrime and terrorist threats. Fluency in a language such as Arabic, Russian, Farsi or Chinese is extremely helpful to support these activities, and the FBI often seeks out people with specific language skills for intelligence work. You must be a U. You’ll also need at least a bachelor’s with a 3.

How to Become an FBI Agent


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Pay Increases and Benefits for FBI Agents

The Federal Bureau of Investigation FBI is the principal investigative arm of the Department of Justice, charged with defending the United States from domestic terrorism and enforcing federal laws. It employs over 35, individuals with diverse backgrounds and skills who investigate crimes related to over categories of federal law. The Federal Bureau of Investigation is frequently recruiting for new special agents throughout the country. Individuals with FBI experience may mske find opportunities in the private sector including employment by government contractors and corporations. The main job activities of an FBI special agent involve investigating crimes and enforcing federal laws. This can include interviewing sources and conducting surveillance activities, such as monitoring court authorized wire-tapping or working undercover.

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