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According to the US Department of Homeland Security (DHS.gov), as a Homeland Security employee, you will work to help protect the airports, US borders, waterways, and seaports of the United States as well as research and develop new technologies for security, respond to terrorist acts and natural disasters, and work on analyzing intelligence reports that are received.
Career Opportunities 
There are many unique Homeland Security career opportunities available with the DHS:
- Law Enforcement: These careers include protecting the vice president and president along with their families, as well as other individuals who have been designated, such as heads of state. In addition, law enforcement officials from the Department of Homeland Security work to secure the borders of the nation and enforce immigration laws.
- Mission Support: There are careers with the Department of Homeland Security in areas such as facilities, budget, human resources, medical, science, technology, intelligence, training, planning and coordination, civil rights, detection, fraud detection, plus many more.
- Prevention and Response: These careers involve the protection of the public, economic, security, and environmental interests of the United States in any maritime region. In addition, people working in this area are also in charge of protection, response, and mitigation to reduce the loss of property and life and to protect the nation from any type of hazard.
- Travel Security and Immigration: These careers involve the protection of the transportation systems throughout the nation, as well as overseeing that immigration into the United States is lawful.
Getting a Homeland Security Job
Jobs available with Homeland Security are posted on the DHS job board on their website regularly.
The posting will provide information about the qualifications that are required for the position.
The majority of Homeland Security careers require that you be a citizen of the United States and complete a thorough background investigation, along with a drug screening.
There may be certain things that can disqualify a person from obtaining a job with the department, including any felony charges, use of illegal drugs, as well as other offenses.
Each announcement will be followed by instructions on how to apply for the position.
Make sure that you read over the paperwork carefully.
You will also want to make sure to submit all of the appropriate documents.
The education requirements for a job with Homeland Security will vary based on the type of job that a person is applying for.
No matter where a person is in their life, there is likely a job opportunity available with Homeland Security.
There are numerous internships and jobs available for individuals who are still in college or for those who have recently graduated.
In addition, the department has many jobs available for professionals in a wide variety of fields.
U.S. Average Salary: $76,550
Salary Information by State
| State | Employed | Avg. Annual Salary | Avg. Hourly Pay | Top 10% Annual Salary | Bottom 10% Annual Salary |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Alabama | 12,770 | $52,270 | $25.13 | $69,680 | $34,730 |
| Alaska | 1,280 | $94,660 | $45.51 | $133,750 | $57,980 |
| Arizona | 12,580 | $76,390 | $36.73 | $92,860 | $55,920 |
| Arkansas | 5,270 | $46,880 | $22.54 | $70,270 | $33,250 |
| California | 68,010 | $111,770 | $53.74 | $143,650 | $71,360 |
| Colorado | 9,950 | $86,840 | $41.75 | $105,840 | $62,070 |
| Connecticut | 6,660 | $81,190 | $39.04 | $101,480 | $59,610 |
| Delaware | 1,730 | $82,180 | $39.51 | $103,750 | $59,540 |
| D.C. | 5,010 | $82,820 | $39.82 | $109,490 | $60,200 |
| Florida | 48,030 | $78,480 | $37.73 | $111,190 | $47,160 |
| Georgia | 23,370 | $56,200 | $27.02 | $76,070 | $40,100 |
| Hawaii | 2,380 | $89,850 | $43.20 | $111,300 | $73,840 |
| Idaho | 2,980 | $66,170 | $31.81 | $89,540 | $48,330 |
| Illinois | 30,550 | $87,630 | $42.13 | $109,600 | $52,000 |
| Indiana | 12,430 | $67,590 | $32.50 | $83,350 | $50,420 |
| Iowa | 4,920 | $70,530 | $33.91 | $90,880 | $50,540 |
| Kansas | 5,840 | $56,950 | $27.38 | $83,260 | $39,520 |
| Kentucky | 7,180 | $51,540 | $24.78 | $69,490 | $35,640 |
| Louisiana | 12,670 | $49,340 | $23.72 | $65,260 | $33,140 |
| Maine | 1,990 | $62,310 | $29.96 | $75,670 | $49,120 |
| Maryland | 9,470 | $76,000 | $36.54 | $101,100 | $52,790 |
| Massachusetts | 16,910 | $78,770 | $37.87 | $106,770 | $54,270 |
| Michigan | 15,850 | $68,220 | $32.80 | $85,720 | $48,150 |
| Minnesota | 9,330 | $82,620 | $39.72 | $105,020 | $58,960 |
| Mississippi | 7,390 | $42,900 | $20.62 | $56,300 | $29,670 |
| Missouri | 13,070 | $59,020 | $28.38 | $83,510 | $36,910 |
| Montana | 2,130 | $65,470 | $31.48 | $83,120 | $48,130 |
| Nebraska | 3,830 | $68,340 | $32.86 | $89,570 | $46,960 |
| Nevada | 5,820 | $79,650 | $38.29 | $101,070 | $61,290 |
| New Hampshire | 2,730 | $66,630 | $32.03 | $86,050 | $50,490 |
| New Jersey | 21,330 | $94,070 | $45.23 | $134,570 | $58,300 |
| New Mexico | 4,590 | $61,650 | $29.64 | $79,860 | $44,870 |
| New York | 37,910 | $89,400 | $42.98 | $138,360 | $51,880 |
| North Carolina | 21,300 | $56,250 | $27.05 | $77,790 | $40,860 |
| North Dakota | 1,730 | $68,130 | $32.76 | $83,950 | $51,590 |
| Ohio | 22,320 | $72,540 | $34.87 | $101,400 | $44,590 |
| Oklahoma | 8,410 | $59,740 | $28.72 | $94,790 | $34,790 |
| Oregon | 4,810 | $83,220 | $40.01 | $102,760 | $64,210 |
| Pennsylvania | 25,680 | $81,690 | $39.27 | $108,570 | $48,290 |
| Rhode Island | 1,890 | $73,330 | $35.26 | $89,750 | $51,100 |
| South Carolina | 12,330 | $52,800 | $25.38 | $68,240 | $38,760 |
| South Dakota | 1,860 | $58,900 | $28.32 | $83,210 | $45,120 |
| Tennessee | 12,730 | $53,870 | $25.90 | $69,800 | $37,440 |
| Texas | 57,760 | $73,600 | $35.38 | $97,700 | $48,610 |
| Utah | 5,320 | $70,310 | $33.81 | $89,440 | $51,660 |
| Vermont | 880 | $66,900 | $32.17 | $85,180 | $49,620 |
| Virginia | 17,870 | $65,890 | $31.68 | $89,630 | $48,320 |
| Washington | 8,700 | $98,070 | $47.15 | $128,210 | $72,740 |
| West Virginia | 3,440 | $51,600 | $24.81 | $64,290 | $38,530 |
| Wisconsin | 12,170 | $73,910 | $35.54 | $89,000 | $51,250 |
| Wyoming | 1,150 | $62,750 | $30.17 | $76,660 | $47,980 |
| Puerto Rico | 11,980 | $40,560 | $19.50 | $49,570 | $24,700 |
Annual Average Salary: Top 10 States
California tops the list in this field, with an average salary of $111,770.
These are the leading 10 states in terms of earnings in the field:
* Salary information based on the May 2023 Occupational Employment Statistics (OES) Survey for Police and Sheriff's Patrol Officers, OCC Code 33-3051, BLS.* Employment conditions in your area may vary.
Benefits of Working for the Department of Homeland Security
Homeland Security careers offer competitive starting salaries to each of their employees.
In addition, employees receive health insurance, savings plans, retirement plans, paid vacations, paid federal holidays, and flexible work schedules.
Should You Work for the Department of Homeland Security?
Overall Satisfaction – High
The Department of Homeland Security recently published the 2024 Annual Employee Survey Results.
Nearly 45 percent of employees who received the survey responded.
Employees responded to some statements that clearly show how satisfied they are with their jobs.
Some of the results include:
- 83 percent of the employees indicate that they know what is expected of them on the job
- 85 percent of respondents indicate that their supervisor treats them with respect
- 80 percent feel that their supervisor listens to what they have to say
- 83 percent of respondents replied that they know how their work relates to agency goals
One area with a lower score is that only 49 percent of respondents feel satisfied with their involvement in decisions that affect their work.
Another low rating is that 52 percent of the employees feel satisfied with the recognition that they get for doing a good job.
Average Salary – High
There are hundreds of jobs in the Department of Homeland Security.
Each job has its average salary.
PayScale indicates that the average salary for U.S. Department of Homeland Security employees is $87,000 per year.
The job openings at the Department of Homeland Security show that the starting salary for a criminal analyst is $96,684.
The starting salary for a Threat Operations Analyst is $117,962.
The average salary for compliance officers is $78,420.
Employees who work at the highest levels in the Department of Homeland Security may earn $200,000 to more than $300,000 per year.
Employees who have more experience are likely to earn a higher salary, compared to other employees with less time working at the agency.
Job Growth Outlook – High
The job growth outlook at the Department of Homeland Security depends on the job.
One career that has a great job growth outlook is that of an information security analyst.
The Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) indicates that there is a 33 percent, or much faster than average, job outlook for this job.
Many other jobs at the Department of Homeland Security have a good job growth outlook for the next several years.
The job of compliance officer is also experiencing some growth, with an expected five percent job growth through 2033.
People who want to become lawyers who work at the Department of Homeland Security can also expect five percent, or as fast as average, job growth.
Education Duration
The education that students need varies with the job.
Some schools offer programs in homeland security.
The University of Maryland offers an online Bachelor of Science in Homeland Security program.
Texas A&M University offers a graduate certificate Homeland Certificate program.
Students who want to work in specialized areas may want to complete an educational program in that area.
One example is that York College of Pennsylvania offers a Bachelor of Arts in Intelligence Analysis.
The National Initiative for Cybersecurity Careers and Studies indicates that there is a worldwide shortage of cybersecurity workers.
The Department of Homeland Security hires qualified cybersecurity specialists.
Many schools offer programs in cybersecurity.
The University of Maryland Global Campus offers undergraduate certificate programs.
One of them is the Cyber Threat Hunting Certificate.
The school offers three bachelor’s degrees, including Cybersecurity Technology.
A Master’s program at the school is the Master of Science in Cybersecurity and Management program.
Missouri State University offers an undergraduate National Security and Strategic Studies certificate.
Check for accredited schools and if the programs are offered online or on campus.
Personal Skills Needed
- Attention to detail
- Organizational skills
- Communication skills
- Critical thinking skills
- Time management skills
- Ability to work independently
- Teamwork skills
Notable Resources
- 10 Most Affordable Homeland Security Degree Programs
- 10 Best Online Associate’s in Homeland Security Programs
- 10 Best Online Master’s in Homeland Security Programs
- 25 Highest-Paying Homeland Security Jobs
- Is a Homeland Security Degree Worth It?
- 14 Pros and Cons of Working for the Department of Homeland Security
- How Long Does it Take to Complete a Degree in Homeland Security?
- 8 Best Entry-Level Jobs for Homeland Security Graduates
- 10 Best Online Bachelor's in Homeland Security Programs
Careers within the Department of Homeland Security offer a unique opportunity to serve and protect the nation, making a meaningful difference in the safety and security of our communities.
They provide a sense of purpose and pride, as employees contribute to safeguarding the nation’s critical infrastructure, borders, and public safety, positively impacting society.
They also value continuous learning and offer extensive training and development opportunities, helping employees grow both personally and professionally.
As someone who’s been in the field for years, I can attest to the rewarding nature of DHS careers. The opportunity to serve and protect our nation is unparalleled.
I’ve just started my journey with DHS, and the training and support they provide are impressive.
Considering a career change and exploring DHS options. The variety of roles available is staggering, from cybersecurity to emergency management.
For those passionate about national security and public service, DHS is the place to be.