Customs and Border Patrol Agent Salary in the United States

How much does a Customs and Border Patrol Agent make in the United States?

As of October 01, 2026, the average salary for a Customs and Border Patrol Agent in the United States is $66,338 per year, which breaks down to an hourly rate of $32.

However, a Customs and Border Patrol Agent's salary can vary significantly. Here’s a look at the typical salary range:

  • Top Earners (90th percentile): $77,913
  • Majority Range (25th-75th percentile): $59,496 to $72,397
  • Entry-Level (10th percentile): $53,267

Key Factors That Influence Customs and Border Patrol Agent Salaries

A Customs and Border Patrol Agent's salary isn't a fixed number. It's shaped by several important factors. Below, we'll explore how geographic location, education and company size can directly affect your earning potential.

How Do Customs and Border Patrol Agent Salaries Vary from State to State?

Your salary can change significantly depending on where you work. States with a higher cost of living and strong industrial sectors often pay more to attract Customs and Border Patrol Agents. For example, consider the average annual salaries in these key locations:
  • District of Columbia: $73,449.
  • California: $73,170.
  • Massachusetts: $72,195.

Top Paying Cities for Customs and Border Patrol Agents

Salaries can also vary between different cities. Major metropolitan areas or cities with a high demand for technicians often offer more competitive pay. Here are a few examples of average annual salaries in different U.S. cities:

  • San Jose: $83,671
  • San Francisco: $82,755
  • Oakland: $81,011

What Skills Can Increase a Customs and Border Patrol Agent's Salary?

Demanded Skills for the Role:

  • Leadership (Mentioned in 5.83% Job Postings): Knowledge of and ability to employ effective strategies that motivate and guide other members within our business to achieve optimum results.
  • Installation (Mentioned in 2.62% Job Postings): The action or process of installing someone or something, or of being installed. the act of installing the state of being installed, something that is installed for use.
  • Access Control (Mentioned in 1.46% Job Postings): In the fields of physical security and information security, access control (AC) is the selective restriction of access to a place or other resource. The act of accessing may mean consuming, entering, or using. Permission to access a resource is called authorization. Locks and login credentials are two analogous mechanisms of access control.
Skills Demand Percentage
Leadership 5.83%
Installation 2.62%
Access Control 1.46%

What skills can make your compensation higher?

Mastering certain specialized skills can lead to a significant increase in pay. Here are examples of skills and the potential impact they can have on a Customs and Border Patrol Agent's salary.

  • Office Management: Can increase your salary by up to 8%.
  • Functional Requirements: Can increase your salary by up to 7%.
  • Candidate Screening: Can increase your salary by up to 6%.
Skill Salary Salary % Increase
Office Management $71,645
8%
Functional Requirements $70,981
7%
Candidate Screening $70,318
6%

Customs and Border Patrol Agent Salary by Industry: Top Paying Sectors

For Customs and Border Patrol Agent roles, the industry you choose can impact your earning potential by as much as 35% (the gap between the highest and lowest paying industries). Data shows that the highest-paying industry, Healthcare, offers compensation 15% above the average. Conversely, Customs and Border Patrol Agent positions in Business Services typically offer lower base pay, as this sector often view Customs and Border Patrol Agent as a support function rather than a direct revenue driver.

The top paying industries for a Customs and Border Patrol Agent

Industry Sector Average Annual Salary Average Hourly Rate Pay vs.Avg
Healthcare$76,288$37.015%
Edu., Gov't. & Nonprofit$69,654$33.05%

How Education impacts a Customs and Border Patrol Agent's Salary?

Your level of education can impact your salary potential. While many Customs and Border Patrol Agents enter the field with a Associate's Degree degree, higher education can lead to more specialized and higher-paying roles.

According to our 100% employer-reported salary data, the median salary for a Customs and Border Patrol Agent with a Associate's Degree is between $62,726 and $65,253).

Customs and Border Patrol Agent Salaries by Degree Level

Typical Education for Customs and Border Patrol Agent
Degree Level % of user with this level of education
No Diploma 1.4%
High School 28.1%
Associates 22.4%
Bachelors 40.8%
Masters 5.9%
Doctorate 1.4%

Customs and Border Patrol Agent Salary: Hourly Rate, Weekly Pay, and Monthly Pay

Understanding how a Customs and Border Patrol Agent's annual salary breaks down can help with budgeting. Below, you can see the average hourly rate, weekly pay, and monthly pay for this role. Use the buttons to switch between different pay periods.

Last Updated on October 01, 2026
$59,496
Average $66,338/year
$72,397
$4,958
Average $5,528/month
$6,033
$1,144
Average $1,276/week
$1,392
$29
Average $32/hour
$35
Annual Salary Monthly Pay Weekly Pay Hourly Wage
75th Percentile $72,397 $6,033 $1,392 $35
Average $66,338 $5,528 $1,276 $32
25th Percentile $59,496 $4,958 $1,144 $29

Most common benefits for Customs and Border Patrol Agent

  • Social Security
  • 401 (k)
  • Disability
  • Healthcare
  • Pension
  • Time Off (days)

Common company salaries for Customs and Border Patrol Agent

Here are companies hiring for Customs and Border Patrol Agent and their salaries, click below for more details.

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FAQ about Customs and Border Patrol Agent

1. What industry pays the highest salary for Customs and Border Patrol Agent?

The Healthcare industry offers the highest average compensation for Customs and Border Patrol Agent roles, with salaries approximately 15% above the market median.

Where Does Our Salary Data Come From?

Salary.com provides salary estimates, histograms, trends, and comparisons using data from employer job postings and third-party sources.

We offer detailed salary information across multiple percentiles for your reference. (Click here to learn Why the Salary Midpoint Formula Is Crucial for Achieving Pay Equity.)

With the most extensive online, real-time compensation data available, Salary.com helps you pinpoint your exact pay target.

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