How to Become an FBI Agent: FBI Careers in a Glance

FBI agents have the difficult job of conducting national security investigations that can be extremely sensitive.

In addition, the job of an FBI agent requires an individual to enforce more than 300 federal statutes.

How to become an FBI agent

Some matters that an FBI agent may work on include cybercrime, foreign counterintelligence, terrorism, white-collar crime, organized crime, civil rights violations, public corruption, bank robberies, kidnapping, air piracy, drug trafficking, as well as other violations of federal law.

FBI Requirements

There is a specific set of criteria an individual must first meet before even being considered for a position with the FBI.

This includes:

  • Must be a citizen of the United States or the Northern Mariana Islands
  • Must be at least 23 years old, but no older than 37 at the time of being appointed as an agent. There are age waivers available for certain individuals who are veterans and are older than the age of 37.
  • Must have a four-year degree from a college that is accredited in the United States by the Secretary of Education.
  • Must have at least three years of work experience
  • Must have a driver’s license that is valid in the United States
  • Must be able to travel to any area of the FBI’s jurisdiction for work

According to FBIjobs.gov, there are five special agent entry programs a person may apply under: accounting, language, law, computer science, and diversified.

Accounting Entry Program

A person who is applying for a position in accounting with the FBI must be certified as a CPA.

In addition, they must have a bachelor’s degree in accounting and have worked in a professional accounting firm for at least three years before their application.

Language

In order to qualify for the language program, an individual must have a BS or BA in any area and be fluent in a language that meets the current needs of the FBI.

Some of the current qualifying languages include Chinese, Arabic, Hebrew, Farsi, Japanese, Korean, Hindi, Hebrew, Spanish, Vietnamese, Urdu, Russian, Punjabi, and Pashto.

A candidate for this program will have to pass listening and reading tests and show a proficiency of higher than three on a speaking proficiency test.

Law

To be considered for the law entry program, a person must have a JD degree from a law school that is accredited and have worked for at least three years in any area of the law.

Computer Science

The computer science entry program requires an individual to have a degree related to information or computer technology or an electrical engineering degree.

A person who has a bachelor’s degree in another discipline may be accepted if they have a CCNP or CCIE

Diversified

To enter the diversified program, a person must have a bachelor’s degree in any area plus three or more years of full-time work experience.

An advanced degree, along with two years of full-time work experience, will be accepted as well.

After an individual qualifies for one of the five programs of entry, they will be prioritized in the hiring process based on the areas that the FBI is currently recruiting for.

U.S. Average Salary: $95,930

$50K
$55K
$95K
$104.5K
$115K
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
Alabama1,220$76,990$37.02$144,870$40,320
Alaska130$121,770$58.54$171,790$73,800
Arizona5,250$94,190$45.29$133,450$59,010
Arkansas580$63,040$30.31$135,430$39,250
California10,980$115,910$55.72$162,490$74,130
Colorado1,930$99,780$47.97$147,740$64,000
Connecticut1,010$100,530$48.33$148,680$74,320
Delaware**$101,440$48.77$166,610$59,370
Florida6,010$88,610$42.60$155,940$45,800
Georgia4,930$71,610$34.43$139,530$39,950
Hawaii430$121,000$58.17$153,650$89,840
Idaho470$83,270$40.04$135,430$56,210
Illinois2,920$95,820$46.07$155,440$56,890
Indiana1,110$74,780$35.95$135,430$48,530
Iowa380$84,090$40.43$137,400$54,890
Kansas1,010$70,570$33.93$103,330$43,930
Kentucky620$78,850$37.91$147,740$40,300
Louisiana1,460$73,680$35.42$139,530$40,670
Maine500$87,010$41.83$121,120$57,970
Maryland980$119,900$57.65$177,340$64,930
Massachusetts1,210$112,480$54.08$170,810$66,880
Michigan2,070$99,450$47.81$158,270$66,750
Minnesota1,870$85,390$41.06$114,080$55,310
Mississippi770$64,580$31.05$127,210$36,140
Missouri1,610$80,910$38.90$142,650$44,780
Montana450$91,590$44.04$134,600$60,850
Nebraska280$93,840$45.12$144,890$63,790
Nevada570$95,380$45.86$143,620$54,860
New Hampshire400$88,460$42.53$152,340$57,700
New Jersey3,360$107,910$51.88$158,270$64,960
New Mexico1,810$82,700$39.76$104,920$49,750
New York9,030$118,350$56.90$178,000$65,500
North Carolina3,170$71,870$34.55$127,210$47,950
North Dakota390$82,240$39.54$123,120$50,400
Ohio2,050$88,170$42.39$145,750$54,250
Oklahoma1,170$82,610$39.71$127,210$47,390
Oregon470$106,320$51.11$158,500$74,110
Pennsylvania3,390$98,160$47.19$148,410$63,230
Rhode Island360$96,290$46.29$151,400$73,940
South Carolina1,210$73,600$35.38$143,620$47,350
South Dakota220$84,000$40.38$135,430$56,010
Tennessee1,780$76,680$36.87$139,530$44,830
Texas16,460$88,300$42.45$136,120$47,530
Utah500$87,620$42.12$147,740$47,720
Vermont190$99,200$47.69$147,740$67,160
Virginia3,420$106,850$51.37$177,340$54,510
Washington1,630$114,450$55.02$159,740$76,400
West Virginia220$92,110$44.28$158,680$41,640
Wisconsin1,510$88,660$42.63$106,940$65,310
Wyoming160$84,910$40.82$139,530$57,620
Puerto Rico570$81,910$39.38$151,840$30,910

Annual Average Salary: Top 10 States

Alaska tops the list in this field, with an average salary of $121,770.

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

Alaska - $121,770
Hawaii - $121,000
Maryland - $119,900
New York - $118,350
California - $115,910
Washington - $114,450
Massachusetts - $112,480
New Jersey - $107,910
Virginia - $106,850
Oregon - $106,320
* Salary information based on the May 2023 Occupational Employment Statistics (OES) Survey for Detectives and Criminal Investigators, OCC Code 33-3021, BLS.
* Employment conditions in your area may vary.

Considering applying to be an FBI agent?

Be sure to read our list of pros and cons of being an FBI agent to learn more about this career path.

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.

4 Responses to How to Become an FBI Agent: FBI Careers in a Glance

  1. Karl Norby #

    FBI can be intellectually stimulating and offer a sense of fulfillment, as employees contribute to safeguarding the nation’s safety and security.

  2. James Sanchez #

    Working for the FBI often involves collaborating with other law enforcement agencies, which can lead to exciting and high-impact investigations.

  3. Joseph Kaiser #

    It’s a unique opportunity to work in the FBI. To serve your country by protecting national security and upholding the law.

  4. Walter Shelton #

    Thanks for this! I was looking for more requirements to be able to get into the FBI. This is such a great help! Wish me luck.

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