What is the lowest paid FBI agent?

The lowest paid FBI agents are typically New Agent Trainees (NATs) in their initial training at Quantico, starting at the GS-10 pay grade, which starts around $50,000-$52,000 base salary (around $51,921 in 2020) plus locality pay, with lower-level support staff (non-agents) potentially earning even less. Their pay increases as they advance through the steps within the GS-10 grade and then move to higher grades (GS-11, etc.) after field placement, with senior agents reaching GS-14/15 levels.

What is the lowest Fbi Agent salary?

While ZipRecruiter is seeing annual salaries as high as $168,500 and as low as $20,000, the majority of Fbi Agent salaries currently range between $37,500 (25th percentile) to $86,000 (75th percentile) with top earners (90th percentile) making $114,000 annually across the United States.

Who pays more, CIA or FBI?

It's complex, but generally, FBI Special Agents often start with higher base pay due to federal law enforcement pay scales (LEAP), while CIA officers in specialized, technical, or high-risk roles can earn significantly more with bonuses, potentially surpassing FBI salaries at senior levels, though the CIA's overall average might be higher due to these specialized incentives. 

How much do CIA agents get paid?

CIA agent salaries vary significantly by role, experience, and location, generally following the federal government's GS pay scale, with entry-level starting around $56,000-$96,000 (GS-10 to GS-12) and experienced officers reaching $160,000+ (GS-13 to GS-15), plus benefits like locality pay, hazard pay, and bonuses. Salaries depend heavily on the specific job (e.g., analyst, operations officer, protective agent), with some sources showing averages around $76,000 for general roles, while specialized or advanced positions earn considerably more. 

Is CIA higher than FBI?

The CIA is overseen by the Director of the Central Intelligence Agency, who reports to the Director of National Intelligence (DNI). It is not part of a government department. The FBI operates under the Department of Justice, led by the FBI Director, who reports to the Attorney General and the President.

Average Salary of an FBI Agent | How much do FBI Agents earn?

Can CIA agents tell their family?

Yes, CIA officers can tell their immediate family they work for the Agency, but they cannot discuss specific job details, sensitive information, or operational activities, even with spouses, to protect national security and sources; they often use vague job titles like "analyst" or work for other agencies (like the State Department) as cover for friends and extended family, while immediate family knows the reality and understands the need for secrecy. 

What is the FBI age limit?

The FBI generally requires special agent applicants to be between 23 and 36 years old, needing to enter duty before their 37th birthday, though exceptions (waivers) exist for veterans and current federal law enforcement/FBI employees, allowing entry up to age 39 or even later for some. This age limit ensures agents meet the minimum service time for the mandatory retirement at age 57, requiring at least 20 years of service. 

Which FBI jobs pay the most?

The highest-paying FBI jobs often involve specialized skills in STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, & Math), Finance/Accounting, and Linguistics, alongside roles like Special Agents, Intelligence Analysts, and IT Specialists, with salaries climbing significantly with experience, potentially exceeding $150,000 for senior agents and specialized roles, plus robust federal benefits like pensions and health insurance. 

How much do FBI SOS make?

How much does a Staff Operations Specialist Fbi make? As of Jan 7, 2026, the average annual pay for a Staff Operations Specialist Fbi in the United States is $62,966 a year. Just in case you need a simple salary calculator, that works out to be approximately $30.27 an hour.

At what age do FBI agents retire?

FBI special agents have a mandatory retirement age of 57. In order to achieve the required 20 years of service for retirement, special agents must enter on duty no later than the day before their 37th birthday.

Who is the No. 1 Intelligence Agency?

1. Central Intelligence Agency (CIA), USA. The Central Intelligence Agency (CIA) is known as one of the most powerful spy agencies in the world. It helps the U.S. government make important decisions about foreign countries and defense by gathering and studying secret information related to national security.

What criminal justice job pays the most?

The highest-paying criminal justice jobs are typically in legal and federal enforcement roles like Lawyers, Judges, and FBI Agents, with significant earnings also found in specialized fields like Forensic Psychology, Intelligence Analysis, and Compliance Management, often requiring advanced degrees and extensive experience to reach top salaries, sometimes exceeding $100k-$200k annually for the most senior positions like federal judges or chief legal officers. 

What disqualifies you from the FBI?

Automatic disqualifiers to becoming an FBI agents

• Failure to file local, state, or federal income tax returns.
• Failure to pay court-ordered child support.
• Engagement in treasonable acts.
• Failure to register with the Selective Service System, if applicable.
• Failure to pass a urinalysis drug test administered by the FBI.

What pay scale is Secret Service?

Joining the Secret Service as a Special Agent will allow you to perform critical protective and investigative assignments. The Special Agent position starts at a base salary of $48,371.00 (GL-07, step 1), with promotion potential to $117,034.00 (GS-13, step 10).

How long is FBI training?

All special agents begin their career at the FBI Academy in Quantico, Virginia, for 20 weeks of intensive training at one of the world's finest law enforcement training facilities. During their time there, trainees live on campus and participate in a variety of training activities.

What is the hardest job in the FBI?

There's no single "hardest" job in the FBI, but highly demanding roles include Hostage Rescue Team (HRT)/SWAT, due to extreme physical and tactical requirements; Counterterrorism/Cyber Squad Agents, facing complex threats and high stakes; and roles with Victim Specialists, dealing with immense emotional toll, while many agents find the intense isolation, long hours, unpredictable assignments, and moral/ethical pressures of any field assignment extremely challenging, according to The Princeton Review, Go Law Enforcement, and this Quora discussion. 

Do FBI agents carry guns?

Today, FBI special agents receive extensive firearms training and carry their service weapon with them wherever they go.

What law enforcement pays the most?

The Chief of Police is the top position in civilian law enforcement. The Chief of Police has the highest paying job in law enforcement for the civilian sector, making between $96,000 and $160,000 a year (In Salary). Just below the Chief is the Deputy Chief of Police, with a salary of up to $138,000 a year (In Salary).

Is it hard to get into FBI?

The FBI accepts fewer than 20% of applicants, making jobs within the bureau highly competitive. Applicants typically begin their candidacy through one of the FBI's various entry programs, all of which are tailored to specific FBI career tracks.

How many hours do FBI agents work?

All FBI agents work full-time with a regular schedule of 40 hours per week. However, the job is very demanding and usually extends beyond the regular working hours and overtime is common as the public must be protected at all times.

What is the FBI's most wanted list?

Listing

• BRANDON JAMES THOMAS.
• MARY CAROLE MCDONNELL.
• OLUMIDE ADEBIYI ADEDIRAN.
• ELAINE ANGENE ESCOE.
• ROSCOE MCMILLAN.
• HORST COSTA JICHA.
• ROMAN SEMENOV.
• DARREN ANTHONY ROBINSON.

Does the CIA watch my phone?

The CIA can spy on you using a variety of methods, including spoofing cell towers and hacking devices running Android, iOS, macOS, Windows, and other operating systems, which can collect data and monitor your activities.

Do CIA agents use fake names?

CIA officers didn't even want to give a fake name in case it was traced back to them. As True Spies podcast guest and ex-CIA operative Tracy Walder recalled: "Even a random number could be linked to your true identity. So there were no names, not even aliases.

Can you have tattoos in the CIA?

CIA Tattoo Policy

There is a misconception that those who want to join the CIA cannot have tattoos. However, unlike tattoos in the military, tattoos on CIA agents or recruits are not regulated.