According to O*NET Online, the main role of a Customs Agent (aka Customs Inspector) is to investigate and inspect persons, goods, common carriers, and merchandise arriving in or departing from the United States or between states to detect violations of immigration and customs laws and regulations.
Customs Agents work for the United States Department of Customs and Border Patrol, which is a branch of the DHS (Department of Homeland Security).
A customs agent who works for the CBP is responsible for helping keep weapons and terrorists out of the United States.
They are also responsible for preventing smuggling and illegal immigration.
Some customs agents have extensive knowledge of immigration laws and specialize in working with immigrants.
Other agents are trained in how to handle guns and narcotics and work exclusively in that department.
Customs agents work all over the country at land border crossings and in airports.
These individuals are the first line of defense against several risks to national security.
Education Requirements
In order to pursue a customs agent career a person will need to have at least an associate’s degree and preferably a bachelor’s degree.
Most customs agents choose to get their degrees in areas such as security management, criminal justice, or psychology.
Liberal arts and humanities degrees are also ideal for working with the United States Customs and Border Patrol.
While it is not required, it is ideal for a person to study a foreign language, particularly Spanish, during their years as a student.
This can create a great advantage when applying for a job as a customs agent.
Law enforcement or similar official training of another variety can also increase a person’s chances of becoming a customs agent.
However, this experience does not replace the education requirements.
Customs Agent Career
After graduating from college, a person interested in the customs agent field will need to apply for an open position.
There are a number of oral tests and written tests that a person must pass in order to be considered for a position with the United States Border Patrol.
These tests include language, aptitude, and general reasoning.
Additionally, a person who is interested in working as a customs agent will have to go through a fairly extensive background check.
This background check will be conducted before a final interview takes place.
A medical examination will be required as well as a physical fitness examination before a person is approved for a position as a customs agent.
After a person goes through the initial interview, takes all of the required tests, passes the medical examination and physical examination, and goes through a final interview, they will then start a one or two-year training program.
The training program that a person goes through will be specialized to match the job that they have applied for.
The training will include classroom hours as well as physical activities.
For those specializing in immigration, courses about immigration laws will be completed.
If you are interested in immigration specifically, you can train to become an immigration officer (ICE).
Individuals who are trained to deal with guns and narcotics will take courses on how to appropriately handle these situations.
Individuals who complete the training program successfully will then be placed in a position as a customs agent in an airport, at a border crossing, or a dock or seaport.
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.
It’s worth noting that the role of a Customs Agent can be challenging, as it requires excellent attention to detail, adaptability, and the ability to work under pressure.
They are responsible for inspecting goods, verifying compliance with import/export laws, and ensuring national security by detecting illegal activities like smuggling.