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: $98770

$54.2KK
$59.6KK
$98.8KK
$108.6KK
$119.5KK
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
Alabama1,290$77,900$37.45$147,850$41,970
Alaska130$127,090$61.10$180,090$74,270
Arizona5,220$98,670$47.44$140,360$61,310
Arkansas560$67,640$32.52$142,190$40,360
California11,900$120,930$58.14$165,230$79,350
Connecticut890$99,560$47.86$116,220$77,210
Delaware**$105,460$50.70$175,430$60,670
Florida6,310$94,360$45.37$160,620$51,290
Georgia4,820$76,520$36.79$146,490$43,820
Hawaii440$124,950$60.07$166,190$96,370
Idaho520$86,860$41.76$142,190$54,570
Illinois3,100$97,900$47.07$158,720$53,600
Indiana1,240$79,500$38.22$130,440$49,870
Iowa380$86,140$41.41$143,230$56,580
Kansas1,070$74,870$36.00$101,320$46,420
Kentucky700$88,950$42.76$150,800$49,820
Louisiana1,870$69,230$33.28$129,250$39,320
Maine540$90,140$43.34$122,640$59,740
Maryland960$127,850$61.47$186,760$69,800
Massachusetts1,170$118,660$57.05$180,090$74,360
Michigan2,050$104,170$50.08$166,300$71,820
Minnesota1,770$88,940$42.76$115,810$60,130
Mississippi810$67,560$32.48$129,250$40,710
Missouri1,440$87,900$42.26$153,150$48,690
Montana470$94,470$45.42$141,290$61,360
Nebraska280$101,710$48.90$152,240$64,230
Nevada580$101,180$48.65$153,900$61,640
New Hampshire410$99,180$47.68$160,620$75,680
New Jersey3,000$116,770$56.14$170,680$70,850
New Mexico2,000$83,500$40.15$107,240$48,040
New York9,410$106,280$51.10$168,770$61,450
North Carolina3,240$75,320$36.21$134,870$49,820
North Dakota420$86,660$41.67$123,000$55,560
Ohio2,120$89,760$43.15$151,900$57,510
Oklahoma1,280$83,850$40.31$129,250$51,030
Oregon470$114,240$54.93$162,200$82,770
Pennsylvania3,390$102,050$49.06$151,720$63,510
Rhode Island440$96,810$46.54$146,020$76,670
South Carolina1,330$77,110$37.07$146,490$49,740
South Dakota230$90,250$43.39$142,190$59,540
Tennessee1,960$83,560$40.17$144,290$49,670
Texas18,020$91,250$43.87$137,860$50,920
Utah560$87,790$42.21$150,800$48,670
Vermont210$101,860$48.97$153,570$64,980
Virginia3,170$117,280$56.38$191,650$62,320
Washington1,680$118,100$56.78$164,240$86,200
West Virginia210$101,920$49.00$168,040$45,300
Wisconsin1,480$92,950$44.69$107,240$67,630
Wyoming170$91,300$43.90$146,490$62,230
Puerto Rico630$85,370$41.04$155,110$38,130

Annual Average Salary: Top 10 States

Maryland tops the list in this field, with an average salary of $127,850.

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

Maryland - $127,850
Alaska - $127,090
Hawaii - $124,950
California - $120,930
Massachusetts - $118,660
Washington - $118,100
Virginia - $117,280
New Jersey - $116,770
Oregon - $114,240
New York - $106,280
* Salary information based on the May 2024 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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