How to Become a Border Patrol Agent (Career Guide)

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 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: $79320

$47.6KK
$52.4KK
$79.3KK
$87.3KK
$96KK
10%
25%
50%
75%
90%

Salary Information by State

State Employed Avg. Annual Salary Avg. Hourly Pay Top 10% Annual Salary Bottom 10% Annual Salary
Alabama12,060$55,330$26.60$78,140$37,010
Alaska1,160$103,670$49.84$136,070$69,370
Arizona12,430$82,400$39.62$100,430$59,760
Arkansas5,490$49,700$23.89$69,420$35,950
California65,170$111,630$53.67$151,160$76,010
Connecticut6,500$83,210$40.01$102,820$61,000
Delaware1,790$85,350$41.04$104,840$62,050
D.C.4,830$91,310$43.90$115,730$66,420
Florida48,340$83,850$40.31$117,940$52,500
Georgia21,540$57,970$27.87$77,750$42,180
Hawaii2,390$92,030$44.24$114,220$75,370
Idaho2,630$68,470$32.92$92,710$48,980
Illinois29,790$92,020$44.24$119,020$55,830
Indiana13,480$73,620$35.40$93,990$52,860
Iowa5,110$75,390$36.25$96,260$57,460
Kansas6,160$58,580$28.16$82,870$37,640
Kentucky7,090$59,460$28.59$78,820$40,600
Louisiana14,340$52,840$25.40$73,270$35,170
Maine1,930$68,100$32.74$84,270$54,660
Maryland9,420$81,660$39.26$109,300$58,140
Massachusetts17,000$80,790$38.84$106,300$59,870
Michigan16,290$71,380$34.32$91,210$49,390
Minnesota8,920$84,220$40.49$104,800$60,390
Mississippi7,590$45,450$21.85$58,780$30,450
Missouri12,750$63,640$30.60$90,900$41,970
Montana2,020$69,670$33.49$88,090$51,820
Nebraska3,620$73,580$35.38$96,340$50,080
Nevada5,490$84,510$40.63$102,460$62,980
New Hampshire2,550$70,060$33.68$89,120$54,410
New Jersey21,620$93,290$44.85$134,460$57,260
New Mexico4,830$65,020$31.26$77,910$47,470
New York54,360$86,880$41.77$116,950$53,020
North Carolina21,650$60,520$29.10$80,920$44,850
North Dakota1,850$74,450$35.80$92,340$58,580
Ohio24,050$76,200$36.64$104,430$49,390
Oklahoma9,420$61,000$29.33$95,950$34,780
Oregon4,950$88,260$42.43$112,530$68,270
Pennsylvania24,280$83,130$39.97$112,380$50,070
Rhode Island1,780$75,090$36.10$89,070$54,980
South Carolina12,820$60,140$28.91$78,590$43,640
South Dakota1,890$62,940$30.26$83,640$46,940
Tennessee13,780$60,280$28.98$81,340$40,940
Texas62,230$75,970$36.53$99,450$51,590
Utah5,370$77,370$37.20$98,670$58,870
Vermont1,080$68,220$32.80$89,110$46,500
Virginia19,400$70,330$33.81$96,700$50,160
Washington8,370$101,590$48.84$123,220$75,780
West Virginia3,130$54,930$26.41$68,080$39,780
Wisconsin11,500$77,520$37.27$93,460$55,450
Wyoming1,300$66,280$31.87$80,720$49,380
Puerto Rico11,620$41,280$19.85$49,570$28,680

Annual Average Salary: Top 10 States

California tops the list in this field, with an average salary of $111,630.

These are the leading 10 states in terms of earnings in the field:

California - $111,630
Alaska - $103,670
Washington - $101,590
New Jersey - $93,290
Hawaii - $92,030
Illinois - $92,020
District of Columbia - $91,310
Oregon - $88,260
New York - $86,880
Delaware - $85,350
* Salary information based on the May 2024 Occupational Employment Statistics (OES) Survey for Police and Sheriff's Patrol Officers, OCC Code 33-3051, BLS.
* Employment conditions in your area may vary.

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.

Michael Morales
Michael is the Webmaster and Editor in Chief for Legalcareerpath.com. With a strong background in Web Publishing and Internet Marketing, he currently works as an independent consultant. A former paramedic and EMS educator, he enjoys punishing himself doing triathlons and endurance sports. Michael currently lives in sunny Northern California, home of the highest tax rates in the United States.

2 Responses to How to Become a Border Patrol Agent (Career Guide)

  1. Amalia Robles #

    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.

  2. Remington Richard #

    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.

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