Public Safety & Government
Border Patrol / CBP Agent
Federal law enforcement at U.S. borders. Paid Academy, recruitment bonuses up to $20k, fast retirement (FLEO) at 50.
no-degree-requiredhigh-paypaid-trainingstable
73
ROI · Strong
Investment vs return
Cost · time · demand normalized 0–100
Salary progression
What you'll earn over your career
$60k
$95k
$145k
Entry
Mid-career
Senior
10-yr outlook
+3%
+3% (Average)
Open positions
2,500
Estimated nationwide
Entry paths
How to get here
Multiple paths lead to this career. Compare time, cost, online vs in-person delivery, and program links.
Fastest ROI
Apprenticeship In Person
CBP Academy (paid, 6 months)
Time
6 months Academy (paid)
Cost
Paid / Free
Top programs
Up to $20k recruitment incentives. Spanish-speakers prioritized.
Affiliate disclosure: Some of the program links above may be affiliate partnerships. If you enroll, we may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you. We only link to programs we have actually reviewed against our methodology. See our methodology for how we evaluate schools.
Quick math
If you took the fastest path…
You'd train for
6 months Academy (paid)
You'd spend (avg)
Paid / Free
Starting salary
$60,000
Mid-career
$95,000
Read more
Articles & resources
Sources: BLS OOH 2024 · CBP