Home Border Patrol How Much Do Border Patrol Agents Make?

How Much Do Border Patrol Agents Make?

How Much Do Border Patrol Agents Make?

How Much Do Border Patrol Agents Make?

Border Patrol Agents play a crucial role in protecting the border of the United States. These agents are responsible for preventing the entry of illegal migrants and drugs from entering the country. However, it’s common knowledge that the job can be tough and comes with substantial risks. With the added pressure and responsibilities, what is the earning potential of Border Patrol agents? In this article, we will explore how much Border Patrol agents make.

Salary Structure for Border Patrol Agents

Border Patrol agents are paid per the Federal General Schedule (GS) pay scale. This scale is a pay system that determines the annual salary of a federal employee based on their pay grade and step. The pay scale ranges from GS-5 to GS-15, with GS-5 being the entry-level position. The majority of Border Patrol Agents are employed between the GS-7 and GS-12 range.

Pay Scale for Border Patrol Agents

Based on the Federal General Schedule pay scale, the starting salary of an entry-level Border Patrol agent would be approximately $50,000 per annum (annual salary). A Border Patrol agent’s maximum salary can be up to $94,000 per annum. The pay scale increases each year based on an employee’s time in service and promotion. Adding to this, Border Patrol agents are also eligible for overtime and benefits such as vacation, sick leave, and retirement plans.

Special Pay

In addition to their salary, Border Patrol agents stationed in areas where there is a high risk of danger received additional pay. This special salary rate is known as the Law Enforcement Availability Pay (LEAP). This takes the agent’s salary up to 25% extra of their basic pay each year.

Education

The amount of education an individual carries also plays a part in salary expectations. A bachelor’s degree could be the deciding factor in being accepted into a higher pay grade. Adding to this, a master’s degree or higher educational qualification increases the pay scale, even more, making a Border Patrol agent potentially earn $100,000 per annum or more.

Conclusion

Being a Border Patrol Agent is a modern-day risk and rewarding career. Taking into consideration the pay grade and benefits, one can become a Border Patrol Agent expecting a salary of up to $94,000 per annum. Adding the overtime, education qualification, and other benefits such as LEAP, make it a well-paid career with excellent growth potential.


Pursuing a border patrol job, or any immigration job is a dream to some individuals; the rate of border patrol employment is growing in tandem with the number of illegal immigrants that continue to arrive in United States. Many of these immigrants come from Mexico
The terms for the payment received by those who have obtained a border patrol, or other immigration job is arranged according to rank. A person who is just beginning his or her border patrol employment is hired at levels called the GL-5, GL-7 or GL-9. The level that an individual who has a border patrol, or other immigration job is hired at, is based on education and related experience. These border patrol agents are paid at a special salary rate in regards to the Federal law enforcement personnel.
The base starting salary for a GL-5 is $36,658. The GL-7 starting salary is $41,729 and GL-9, which is the highest entry level possible position, starts off at $46,542. This pay cycle is received on a bi-weekly basis.
Because there is a large amount of mandatory overtime hours required, an individual’s pay will be significantly higher than these rates; some may actually double their salaries. Some agents can earn 10% to 25% additional pay for the over-time they work. Border patrol agents also are paid extra for working nights, Sundays, and holidays. An additional perk of a $1500.00 yearly uniform allowance is granted to each person with a border patrol job.
Pay raises are frequent and are based on job performance and trial periods. Within a year, an individual with border control employment can be promoted several times; unlike the United States military, which has longer periods of time in among possible promotions.
Overall, the United States border patrol force is growing exponentially with pay rate increases across the board. In an attempt to entice further applications, it can only be assumed that these steady increase will continue over the next few years.
One reason for quick advancement with a border patrol, or other immigration job, is the phase of large growth that the border patrol employment sector has seen. The higher up a number of border patrol agents work their way towards, the more room for the entry level positions become available for others who want them.