How much do FBI spies make?

At what age do FBI agents retire?

FBI special agents have a mandatory retirement age of 57. In order to achieve the required 20 years of service for retirement, special agents must enter on duty no later than the day before their 37th birthday.

Who is the No. 1 Intelligence Agency?

As the world's premier foreign intelligence agency, the work we do at CIA is vital to U.S. national security. We collect and analyze foreign intelligence and conduct covert action. U.S. policymakers, including the President of the United States, make policy decisions informed by the information we provide.

What is the FBI age limit?

The FBI generally requires special agent applicants to be between 23 and 36 years old, needing to enter duty before their 37th birthday, though exceptions (waivers) exist for veterans and current federal law enforcement/FBI employees, allowing entry up to age 39 or even later for some. This age limit ensures agents meet the minimum service time for the mandatory retirement at age 57, requiring at least 20 years of service. 

What is the lowest paid FBI agent?

Trainee Pay and Starting Base Salary

New special agents without prior government service usually start at Level 1 of the GL-10 pay grade, which is $51,921, while those with prior government service may qualify to start a step or two higher within the GL-10 pay grade.

Do FBI agents carry guns?

Today, FBI special agents receive extensive firearms training and carry their service weapon with them wherever they go.

Can CIA agents tell their family?

Yes, CIA officers can tell their families they work for the CIA, but what they can say depends heavily on their specific role (covert vs. overt) and job duties, with covert officers hiding their employment from most people, while overt employees might tell their families the general agency but not details, and former officers must submit writings for review to avoid revealing classified information. Immediate family, especially spouses, usually know the truth for security, but children are often kept in the dark until older, with officers living a "normal" life to blend in. 

How much do CIA assassins make?

While ZipRecruiter is seeing salaries as high as $110,259 and as low as $52,105, the majority of Cia Assassin salaries currently range between $78,600 (25th percentile) to $97,700 (75th percentile) with top earners (90th percentile) making $105,606 annually in Willoughby.

How much do undercover FBI agents make?

How much does an Undercover Agent make in Los Angeles, California? As of Jan 15, 2026, the average annual pay for an Undercover Agent in Los Angeles is $71,527 a year. Just in case you need a simple salary calculator, that works out to be approximately $34.39 an hour.

How hard is it to get into FBI?

How Does the FBI Hire Agents? The FBI accepts fewer than 20% of applicants, making jobs within the bureau highly competitive. Applicants typically begin their candidacy through one of the FBI's various entry programs, all of which are tailored to specific FBI career tracks.

How long is FBI training?

FBI training for new Special Agents at the Quantico Academy is a rigorous 20-week (about 5 months) Basic Field Training Course (BFTC), covering extensive physical fitness, firearms, defensive tactics, investigative techniques, and academic subjects like law and forensics, with intelligence analysts completing a shorter 12-week program before agents begin their tactical training. 

Who gets paid the most in law enforcement?

12 of the highest-paying law enforcement jobs

• Security manager.
• Forensic accountant.
• Police sergeant.
• Judge.
• Forensic analyst.
• Lawyer.
• Detective.
• Border patrol agent.

Who pays more, CIA or FBI?

It's complex, but the FBI often offers higher starting salaries for new agents due to law enforcement pay scales (LEAP), while the CIA can potentially offer more for specialized, senior roles in technical or paramilitary fields, with overall earnings depending heavily on the specific job, experience, location, and bonuses. Entry-level FBI special agents can start around $78k-$80k, while senior CIA roles with high-demand skills might reach $200k+, though the CIA's structure and bonuses make direct comparisons tricky. 

How many hours do FBI agents work?

All FBI agents work full-time with a regular schedule of 40 hours per week. However, the job is very demanding and usually extends beyond the regular working hours and overtime is common as the public must be protected at all times.

What is the hardest job in the FBI?

There's no single "hardest" job, but the toughest roles in the FBI often involve the Hostage Rescue Team (HRT) due to extreme physical/mental stress, high-risk operations like counter-terrorism/cybercrime, and the emotional toll on Victim Specialists, while the rigorous selection process and potential for isolation are universally challenging for Special Agents in any demanding field like counterintelligence or violent crime. 

What disqualifies you from the FBI?

Automatic disqualifiers to becoming an FBI agents

Failure to pay court-ordered child support. Engagement in treasonable acts. Failure to register with the Selective Service System, if applicable. Failure to pass a urinalysis drug test administered by the FBI.

Is FBI higher than police?

No. State and local law enforcement agencies are not subordinate to the FBI, and the FBI does not supervise or take over their investigations. Instead, the investigative resources of the FBI and state and local agencies are often pooled in a common effort to investigate and solve the cases.

Is 40 too old to join the FBI?

You must be at least 23 years old at the time of your appointment. You must also be younger than 37, unless you qualify for an age waiver available to veterans. See our qualification requirements webpage for more information on what it takes to become a special agent.

What's stronger than the CIA?

Here's a look at the top five intelligence agencies in the world.

• CIA (Central Intelligence Agency) – United States. ...
• Mossad – Israel. ...
• MI6 (Secret Intelligence Service) – United Kingdom. ...
• DGSE (Direction Générale de la Sécurité Extérieure) – France. ...
• MSS (Ministry of State Security) – China.

Can I join the CIA without a degree?

Aspiring CIA agents, operations officers, analysts, computer specialists and more all need to get a four-year degree before applying. Most CIA jobs that don't require a college degree are clerical or administrative positions. These types of positions typically ask that applicants have a high school diploma or GED.

Can you tell people you work for MI6?

It's important that you are discreet about your application and the vetting process, you should not post about it on social media, and limit who you tell to a partner or a close family member only.