US Border Patrol Agent

Our Mission

Border Patrol Agents (BPAs) are focused 24/7 on securing our international land borders and coastal waters between ports of entry. They safeguard the American people from terrorists and their weapons and detect and prevent drug smugglers and the illegal entry of undocumented aliens.

Typical Assignments Include:

• Detecting, preventing, and apprehending undocumented aliens, smugglers of aliens, and illegal narcotics by maintaining surveillance from covert positions at or near the 6,000 miles of Mexican and Canadian international land borders and over 2,000 miles of coastal borders
• Responding to electronic sensor alarms in remote areas
• Interpreting and following tracks, marks, and other physical evidence of undocumented aliens and smugglers
• Using cutting edge technology, such as infrared scopes during nighttime operations
• Performing line-watch duties, traffic checkpoint operations, city patrols, transportation checks, and other law enforcement duties, as assigned
• Communicating and/or giving verbal commands in Spanish to Spanish-speaking undocumented aliens and smugglers.

Salary and Incentives

**Recruitment Incentive** Newly appointed Border Patrol Agents (as defined in 5 CFR 575.102) who enter on duty on or after January 8, 2024, will be offered a $20,000 recruitment incentive upon successful completion of the academy and three years of service. Another $10,000 will be paid if the Agent accepts a remote location (for a total of up to $30,000).

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.

• 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.

CBP offers employees substantial leave benefits and unique training opportunities, including:

• 13 to 26 days of annual leave accrued per year
• 11 federal holidays
• 15 days of military reserve
• 13 days of sick leave accrued per year
• opportunities for paid training

Veterans and Transitioning Service Members

As a veteran or transitioning service member, you have served your country with honor and integrity. Now you have made the decision to separate from the military and transition to civilian life. U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) has jobs and internships for veterans that provide stability, excellent pay and benefits, a culture of camaraderie among others who have served and the opportunity to continue to serve in a different capacity.

We offer veterans and transitioning service members, a maximum age requirement waiver based on eligible veterans’ preference and a Veteran Support Program – only a few of the reasons why you should apply to join CBP.

Excellent Pay and Benefits

CBP offers a competitive salary and comprehensive benefits package to reflect the dedication and contributions of our employees.

Exciting Career, Continued Service

At CBP, no day is ever the same, but some things remain constant: vigilance, service to country and integrity. U.S. Border Patrol Agents are located across the country and work between the ports of entry to keep the American people safe. When you join CBP, you can continue your service to country in a new and different capacity.

Community Culture

One third of CBP’s employees have served in the military. If you are a veteran joining CBP, you will find many others that share your military background and principles. When it comes to principles, veterans personify CBP’s core values: vigilance, service to country and integrity. Furthermore, veterans fit well with CBP’s culture of teamwork and innovation.

Duty Locations

You will be asked to select your preferred location for one of the following mission critical locations:

• Big Bend Sector Stations- *Presidio, Van Horn, *Sanderson, Alpine, *Sierra Blanca, Marfa
• Buffalo Sector Stations- Wellesley Island
• Del Rio Sector Stations- Del Rio, Brackettville, *Comstock, Eagle Pass North, Eagle Pass South, Carrizo Springs, Uvalde
• El Paso Sector Stations- Alamogordo, Clint, Deming, El Paso, Fort Hancock, Las Cruces, *Lordsburg, Santa Teresa, Ysleta
• El Centro Sector Stations- El Centro, Indio, Calexico
• Grand Forks Sector Stations - Pembina
• Havre Sector Stations - Havre, Malta, Plentywood, Scobey, Sweetgrass
• Houlton Sector Stations - Calais, Fort Fairfield, Jackman, Rangeley, Van Buren
• Laredo Sector Stations- Laredo South, Cotulla, *Hebbronville, Laredo West, *Freer, Laredo North, Zapata
• Rio Grande Valley Sector Stations- Rio Grande City, Fort Brown, McAllen, Brownsville, Falfurrias, Weslaco, Kingsville, Harlingen
• San Diego Sector Stations- Boulevard, Brownfield, Campo, Chula Vista, Imperial Beach, Murrieta, San Clemente
• Spokane Sector Stations - Colville, Curlew, Metaline Falls, Oroville
• Swanton Sector Stations - Beecher Falls, Burke, Champlain, Newport, Richford
• Tucson Sector Stations- *Ajo, Tucson, Nogales, Douglas, Brian A Terry, Sonoita, Casa Grande, Three Points Substation, Willcox
• Yuma Sector Stations- Blythe, Yuma, Wellton

Locations Maked by (*) are Eligible for an Additional $10K Recruitment Incentive: Newly appointed Border Patrol Agents who select a prioritized location will receive an additional $10,000 incentive (total of $30,000). Prioritized locations include Sierra Blanca, TX; Presidio, TX; Sanderson, TX; Comstock, TX; Lordsburg, NM; Freer, TX; Hebbronville, TX; Ajo, AZ. All incentive recipients will be required to sign a three-year service agreement.

NOTE: The above preference locations are expected to have vacancies available in the future, however, if the duty locations do not have vacancies at the time of your final offer, you may be offered a duty location in another geographic location within the United States.

If you’re ready to begin an exciting and high paying career as a United States Border Patrol Agent, click the "APPLY" button to for more information about starting the application process.