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According to the Secret Service (SecretService.gov), since its inception in 1865, the Secret Service has been involved in protecting the integrity of the United States’ financial systems.
The Secret Service has jurisdiction in the United States for investigations involving the counterfeiting of U.S. and foreign obligations and securities.
This authority has expanded to include the investigation of financial institution fraud, access device fraud, computer crimes, fraudulent government and commercial securities, fictitious financial instruments, telecommunications fraud, false identification, and identity theft.
The Secret Service has been mandated by statute to carry out two significant missions: criminal investigations and protection.
During a career as a special agent, a person will carry out assignments in each of these areas.
A secret service agent has to be willing to go to any of the duty stations located throughout the world at any time.
Secret service agents protect the president, the vice president, and individuals in the succession order of the presidential office, including both the president and vice president who have been elected.
Secret service agents are also in charge of protecting the families of the above individuals.
Former presidents are protected by the Secret Service as well.
A secret service agent may be called on to protect foreign presidents and their families when they are visiting the United States, as well as anyone else the president gives an executive order to protect.
Secret Service agents not only protect high-profile government officials, but they also investigate crimes.
The crimes investigated by the Secret Service include violations of the laws that are related to the counterfeiting of securities and obligations of the U.S., financial crimes, and computer attacks on the financial and telecommunications structure of the United States.
Secret Service Agent Requirements
To be considered for a position in the Secret Service, you are required to be a citizen of the United States, no older than 37 when you apply.
In addition, a person must have a valid United States driver’s license and have a visual acuity of 20/60 at the worst, and that can be corrected to 20/20 for each eye.
A person must undergo a physical fitness examination.
This includes hearing, vision, and cardiovascular tests, and the mobility of the extremities will be evaluated as well.
U.S. Average Salary: $98,770
Salary Information by State
| State | Employed | Avg. Annual Salary | Avg. Hourly Pay | Top 10% Annual Salary | Bottom 10% Annual Salary |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Alabama | 1,290 | $77,900 | $37.45 | $147,850 | $41,970 |
| Alaska | 130 | $127,090 | $61.10 | $180,090 | $74,270 |
| Arizona | 5,220 | $98,670 | $47.44 | $140,360 | $61,310 |
| Arkansas | 560 | $67,640 | $32.52 | $142,190 | $40,360 |
| California | 11,900 | $120,930 | $58.14 | $165,230 | $79,350 |
| Connecticut | 890 | $99,560 | $47.86 | $116,220 | $77,210 |
| Delaware | ** | $105,460 | $50.70 | $175,430 | $60,670 |
| Florida | 6,310 | $94,360 | $45.37 | $160,620 | $51,290 |
| Georgia | 4,820 | $76,520 | $36.79 | $146,490 | $43,820 |
| Hawaii | 440 | $124,950 | $60.07 | $166,190 | $96,370 |
| Idaho | 520 | $86,860 | $41.76 | $142,190 | $54,570 |
| Illinois | 3,100 | $97,900 | $47.07 | $158,720 | $53,600 |
| Indiana | 1,240 | $79,500 | $38.22 | $130,440 | $49,870 |
| Iowa | 380 | $86,140 | $41.41 | $143,230 | $56,580 |
| Kansas | 1,070 | $74,870 | $36.00 | $101,320 | $46,420 |
| Kentucky | 700 | $88,950 | $42.76 | $150,800 | $49,820 |
| Louisiana | 1,870 | $69,230 | $33.28 | $129,250 | $39,320 |
| Maine | 540 | $90,140 | $43.34 | $122,640 | $59,740 |
| Maryland | 960 | $127,850 | $61.47 | $186,760 | $69,800 |
| Massachusetts | 1,170 | $118,660 | $57.05 | $180,090 | $74,360 |
| Michigan | 2,050 | $104,170 | $50.08 | $166,300 | $71,820 |
| Minnesota | 1,770 | $88,940 | $42.76 | $115,810 | $60,130 |
| Mississippi | 810 | $67,560 | $32.48 | $129,250 | $40,710 |
| Missouri | 1,440 | $87,900 | $42.26 | $153,150 | $48,690 |
| Montana | 470 | $94,470 | $45.42 | $141,290 | $61,360 |
| Nebraska | 280 | $101,710 | $48.90 | $152,240 | $64,230 |
| Nevada | 580 | $101,180 | $48.65 | $153,900 | $61,640 |
| New Hampshire | 410 | $99,180 | $47.68 | $160,620 | $75,680 |
| New Jersey | 3,000 | $116,770 | $56.14 | $170,680 | $70,850 |
| New Mexico | 2,000 | $83,500 | $40.15 | $107,240 | $48,040 |
| New York | 9,410 | $106,280 | $51.10 | $168,770 | $61,450 |
| North Carolina | 3,240 | $75,320 | $36.21 | $134,870 | $49,820 |
| North Dakota | 420 | $86,660 | $41.67 | $123,000 | $55,560 |
| Ohio | 2,120 | $89,760 | $43.15 | $151,900 | $57,510 |
| Oklahoma | 1,280 | $83,850 | $40.31 | $129,250 | $51,030 |
| Oregon | 470 | $114,240 | $54.93 | $162,200 | $82,770 |
| Pennsylvania | 3,390 | $102,050 | $49.06 | $151,720 | $63,510 |
| Rhode Island | 440 | $96,810 | $46.54 | $146,020 | $76,670 |
| South Carolina | 1,330 | $77,110 | $37.07 | $146,490 | $49,740 |
| South Dakota | 230 | $90,250 | $43.39 | $142,190 | $59,540 |
| Tennessee | 1,960 | $83,560 | $40.17 | $144,290 | $49,670 |
| Texas | 18,020 | $91,250 | $43.87 | $137,860 | $50,920 |
| Utah | 560 | $87,790 | $42.21 | $150,800 | $48,670 |
| Vermont | 210 | $101,860 | $48.97 | $153,570 | $64,980 |
| Virginia | 3,170 | $117,280 | $56.38 | $191,650 | $62,320 |
| Washington | 1,680 | $118,100 | $56.78 | $164,240 | $86,200 |
| West Virginia | 210 | $101,920 | $49.00 | $168,040 | $45,300 |
| Wisconsin | 1,480 | $92,950 | $44.69 | $107,240 | $67,630 |
| Wyoming | 170 | $91,300 | $43.90 | $146,490 | $62,230 |
| Puerto Rico | 630 | $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:
* 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.
Education Requirements
In order to qualify for a GL-7 position, a person must have a bachelor’s degree from a college or university that has been accredited.
A bachelor’s degree in criminal justice is the best choice for anyone looking to become a Secret Service Agent.
There are many online bachelor’s in criminal justice programs to choose from.
A person must graduate in the top one-third of their class and have a grade point average of at least 3.0 on a 4.0 scale.
It is also recommended that a person applying for this position have at least a full year of graduate education on top of a bachelor’s degree to stand out from other applicants.
A Treasury enforcement agent exam will be given to potential applicants, as well as a writing test.
A person must pass this test to be considered for a position.
There will be several interviews conducted throughout the application process.
In addition, a background check will be conducted, and a person will need to be able to gain top-secret clearance.
To obtain top-secret clearance, a person will have to take a pre-employment polygraph test and drug screening.
Friends and family members may be interviewed during the background check process as well.
The entire process of applying for a position as a Secret Service agent can take up to a year or longer.
If you consider becoming a Secret Service agent, you’d better know the pros and cons of this career.
Good luck!
Frequently Asked Questions
What disqualifies you from being a special agent?
Not meeting any of the requirements will get you disqualified.
You must not have any visible body markings—such as tattoos, body art, or branding—on the head, face, neck, hands, or fingers (areas below the wrist).
You must pass a drug test (urinalysis).
How long must I wait to reapply after not passing the SUPER Interview?
If you fail the SUPER Interview, you can reapply in three months.
Is a degree required to qualify for a special agent position?
No.
A degree is not required, but your chances of getting the job are increased substantially with a degree.
Also, it will help you as you progress in your career to get promotions and better compensation.
What skills do you need to be a special agent?
Candidates must be prepared for a fast-paced, high-responsibility environment where protection and investigation intersect.
Here are the essential skills you’ll need:
- Communication Skills
- Analytical and Investigative Abilities
- Physical Fitness and Endurance
- Attention to Detail
- Quick, Decisive Thinking
- Technical Proficiency
- Integrity and Discretion
Agents often work in high-stress environments, requiring them to remain vigilant, adaptable, and committed to their mission of safeguarding the nation.