According to the US Customs and Border Protection (CBP), since its inception in 1924, the Border Patrol’s primary mission remains unchanged: to detect and prevent the illegal entry of aliens into the United States.
This may include apprehending individuals who violate the laws of immigration.
Border Patrol Careers
Border Patrol agents also help prevent terrorists and terrorist weapons, including weapons of mass destruction, from entering the United States.
Qualifications
In order to start a border patrol career, a person must be under the age of 40, unless the individual is a Veteran’s preference candidate or if they have experience as a federal law enforcement agent.
In addition, an individual must be a citizen and resident of the United States of America, already be fluent in Spanish or able to learn Spanish, have a valid state driver’s license, and pass a thorough medical examination, background investigation, drug test, and fitness test.
Certain individuals may be found to be unsuitable for a position with the Border Patrol.
If a person has been arrested, convicted on any charge, dismissed from past jobs, has financial issues, abuses alcohol, or uses any type of illegal drug.
Education Requirements
While there are no formal education requirements for applying for a job with the Border Patrol, it is a good idea to have at least an associate’s degree in a subject such as criminal justice.
In addition, while it is not required to know the Spanish language when applying for a Border Patrol agent position, a person will have to learn Spanish before they begin their career in the Border Patrol.
For this reason, it is recommended that individuals study Spanish in both high school and college to learn to speak the language fluently before applying for a border patrol position.
U.S. Average Salary: $79,200
Salary Information by State
| State | Employed | Avg. Annual | Avg. Hourly | Top 10% | Bottom 10% |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Alabama | 11,710 | $55,130 | $26.51 | $77,220 | $37,480 |
| Alaska | 1,260 | $101,770 | $48.93 | $137,340 | $60,670 |
| Arizona | 12,010 | $81,720 | $39.29 | $98,560 | $60,990 |
| Arkansas | 5,710 | $49,850 | $23.96 | $70,190 | $35,210 |
| California | 65,940 | $112,980 | $54.32 | $153,190 | $76,300 |
| Colorado | 9,610 | $90,550 | $43.54 | $109,300 | $65,340 |
| Connecticut | 6,500 | $83,920 | $40.35 | $102,660 | $63,310 |
| Delaware | 1,800 | $93,210 | $44.81 | $130,870 | $62,470 |
| D.C. | 4,720 | $92,390 | $44.42 | $119,660 | $66,420 |
| Florida | 43,630 | $75,320 | $36.21 | $98,190 | $51,330 |
| Georgia | 22,170 | $58,520 | $28.14 | $76,250 | $43,690 |
| Hawaii | 2,420 | $90,360 | $43.44 | $108,110 | $77,480 |
| Idaho | 2,810 | $70,860 | $34.07 | $97,980 | $48,840 |
| Illinois | 29,180 | $92,450 | $44.45 | $119,560 | $58,420 |
| Indiana | 12,980 | $75,130 | $36.12 | $100,010 | $52,170 |
| Iowa | 5,130 | $76,280 | $36.67 | $101,520 | $59,360 |
| Kansas | 6,130 | $61,450 | $29.55 | $90,530 | $42,040 |
| Kentucky | 7,890 | $59,840 | $28.77 | $77,970 | $38,780 |
| Louisiana | 12,400 | $51,250 | $24.64 | $69,140 | $36,470 |
| Maine | 2,120 | $69,830 | $33.57 | $91,270 | $55,930 |
| Maryland | 9,720 | $82,400 | $39.62 | $113,700 | $58,580 |
| Massachusetts | 17,040 | $83,230 | $40.01 | $108,150 | $61,160 |
| Michigan | 16,750 | $70,310 | $33.80 | $89,220 | $47,780 |
| Minnesota | 9,160 | $85,130 | $40.93 | $106,160 | $60,670 |
| Mississippi | 8,070 | $47,010 | $22.60 | $61,550 | $33,230 |
| Missouri | 13,570 | $62,520 | $30.06 | $90,770 | $43,210 |
| Montana | 2,160 | $69,540 | $33.43 | $84,150 | $55,330 |
| Nebraska | 3,490 | $75,290 | $36.20 | $95,210 | $54,680 |
| Nevada | 5,720 | $86,470 | $41.57 | $102,810 | $62,250 |
| New Hampshire | 2,460 | $70,630 | $33.96 | $89,940 | $57,930 |
| New Jersey | 21,780 | $93,700 | $45.05 | $134,260 | $57,740 |
| New Mexico | 4,580 | $66,700 | $32.07 | $85,740 | $48,400 |
| New York | 53,470 | $87,110 | $41.88 | $118,250 | $53,000 |
| North Carolina | 22,370 | $61,390 | $29.51 | $80,240 | $46,040 |
| North Dakota | 1,630 | $72,400 | $34.81 | $91,440 | $58,620 |
| Ohio | 23,430 | $76,730 | $36.89 | $103,210 | $51,110 |
| Oklahoma | 9,660 | $63,120 | $30.34 | $94,940 | $36,480 |
| Oregon | 5,030 | $87,990 | $42.30 | $109,350 | $66,380 |
| Pennsylvania | 26,510 | $81,910 | $39.38 | $109,780 | $48,680 |
| Rhode Island | 1,940 | $78,760 | $37.86 | $91,760 | $59,020 |
| South Carolina | 12,930 | $60,420 | $29.05 | $78,760 | $45,060 |
| South Dakota | 2,000 | $64,320 | $30.93 | $91,900 | $47,540 |
| Tennessee | 15,630 | $61,830 | $29.72 | $79,480 | $43,520 |
| Texas | 63,100 | $76,160 | $36.62 | $98,350 | $51,240 |
| Utah | 5,500 | $78,760 | $37.87 | $99,920 | $60,290 |
| Vermont | 1,020 | $70,560 | $33.92 | $95,530 | $53,950 |
| Virginia | 19,970 | $70,450 | $33.87 | $96,820 | $50,000 |
| Washington | 9,160 | $104,140 | $50.07 | $132,200 | $79,120 |
| West Virginia | 2,900 | $55,900 | $26.88 | $69,980 | $41,950 |
| Wisconsin | 12,320 | $76,560 | $36.81 | $94,450 | $58,530 |
| Wyoming | 1,310 | $67,080 | $32.25 | $76,840 | $57,130 |
| Guam | 540 | $66,940 | $32.18 | $98,030 | $36,590 |
| Puerto Rico | 11,640 | $42,920 | $20.63 | $50,240 | $30,500 |
Annual Average Salary: Top 10 States
California tops the list in this field, with an average salary of $112,980.
These are the leading 10 states in terms of earnings in the field:
* Salary estimates are based on data from the May 2025 Occupational Employment Statistics (OES) survey by the Bureau of Labor Statistics for Police and Sheriff's Patrol Officers, (SOC Code 33-3051).* Employment opportunities may vary depending on your area.
Training
Anyone who is planning a career in the Border Patrol will need to understand that the training academy is extremely demanding.
Once a person is accepted into the training academy, they will spend 58 days learning both federal law enforcement and border patrol subjects.
The specific courses that are taught during the training academy include:
- Criminal law
- Statutory authority
- Immigration law
- Border patrol operations
- Spanish
- Care of and use of firearms
- Anti-terrorism
- Physical training
In addition, the training will include federal law enforcement courses such as communications, report writing, fingerprinting, introduction to computers, and constitutional law.
The physical training at the academy is quite rigorous, as is the academic training.
Many recruits state that the academic requirements of the academy are more than anticipated.
The physical aspect of the training academy is very demanding as well.
While knowing Spanish before the academy is not necessary, it is recommended that individuals prepare for an intensive Spanish course while at the academy.
This can be extremely difficult for those completely unfamiliar with the language.
Overall, a person who is interested in working for the Border Patrol will need to prepare both mentally and physically for the position.
There are many pros and cons to being a border patrol agent, and it’s a good idea to be aware of them before moving further.
Learning Spanish is required, and those who do not show signs of being able to learn a second language will automatically be disqualified from becoming an agent.
Border patrol agents have a tough job, and it’s important to acknowledge the complexities and challenges they face daily. Let’s support policies that address immigration issues while respecting human rights and the rule of law.
I’ve had the opportunity to meet some border patrol agents, and they are some of the most dedicated and compassionate individuals I’ve ever come across. They work tirelessly to uphold our nation’s laws while showing empathy toward those they encounter.
Border control is important to our country. I am glad some people are into that, but I don’t think it’s the right thing for me.
Reading about this role totally changed my assumptions it’s way more than standing at the border waving people through. The mix of law enforcement, surveillance, and working with technology makes it sound intense, and the emphasis on physical and legal training really stood out.