Is it easy to get a job at CIA?
Asked by: Nikki Homenick MD | Last update: August 3, 2025Score: 4.7/5 (62 votes)
The CIA maintains rigorous hiring standards. When looking at a career at CIA, make sure you start by looking at the requirements which include: You must be a U.S. citizen (dual citizenship is acceptable). You must be willing to relocate to the Washington, D.C. area.
How hard is it to get a job at CIA?
Very hard, they get thousands of applicants and are able to be very selective. It requires a unique personality, the ability to work alone in stressful situations, extremely good judgement, superior writing and communication skills and a good education.
What GPA do you need to get into CIA?
The CIA requires applicants to have a minimum of a bachelor's degree with a GPA of 3.0 or higher.
Who does the CIA look to hire?
The first thing to know is that working for the CIA requires a person to be a United States citizen and have a relatively clean criminal background. Usually, a bachelor's degree is also required with a grade point average of at least a 3.0 and above – but a degree is not always required, depending upon the job.
What disqualifies you from joining CIA?
Security Concerns and Potential Disqualifiers
Lack of candor, or dishonesty, which includes omitting, underreporting, or inconsistently reporting information at any time during the hiring process is contrary to what we value.
How to get recruited by the CIA
What age is too late to join CIA?
Some federal agencies do have an upper age limit for employment for certain positions; however, CIA does not. There's no strict age limit for employment; hiring decisions are made based on a review of the whole person.
How much do CIA agents get paid?
As of Jan 20, 2025, the average annual pay for a Cia Agents in the United States is $76,185 a year.
Does the CIA have a fitness test?
All Executive Protective Agents must successfully complete a physical fitness test for selection and on an annual basis thereafter, to include meeting the following minimum requirements: Push-ups: minimum of 18 in one minute. Sit-ups: minimum of 27 in one minute. 1.5 mile run: 15 min 20 sec or less.
How long is CIA training?
Individuals must complete the 56-day Criminal Investigation Training Program through the Federal Law Enforcement Training Program as a condition of employment. The CIA training program is an extensive, 18-month, headquarters-based program.
What degree does the CIA prefer?
The CIA prefers STEM and business-related majors. But it is open to candidates with any undergraduate major. Aspiring CIA agents can study any subject and still qualify for a job. But since the CIA is the first line of defense in national security, you should consider a related degree.
What perks do CIA agents get?
- Holidays.
- Annual leave.
- Sick leave.
- Paid parental leave.
- Family and medical leave.
- Family-friendly federal leave policies.
- Voluntary leave programs.
What is the most elite CIA unit?
CIA Special Activities Division (SAD) / Special Operations Group. The Special Activities Division (SAD) is the Central Intelligence Agency's (CIA) covert paramilitary operations unit. They are one of America's most secretive and lowest profile special ops organizations.
How hard is CIA exam?
The CIA exam tests your knowledge and skills as an internal auditor. Each section of the CIA exam takes 2-2.5 hours and contains 100-125 multiple-choice questions. The first part of the exam reported a 41% pass rate for the most recent year, according to the IIA, indicating the difficulty of the exam.
Does the CIA hire people with anxiety?
The Central Intelligence Agency (CIA), renowned as one of the globe's most formidable intelligence agencies, has been known to seek out individuals with anxiety for recruitment intentionally. It might sound counterintuitive, but the reason behind this strategic approach is as fascinating as it is eye-opening.
What is the age limit for the CIA?
Minimum age requirement is 18 years old to apply to the CIA. There's no maximum age limit for any role at the CIA with the exception of operations officers, which for them is 35.
How many days a week does the CIA work?
All full-time personnel will follow a five-day, 40- hour work week.
How fast can I pass the CIA exam?
If life gets in the way or you fail an exam part, you can still expect to pass the exam in about a year. Getting an associate's degree usually takes 2 years. If you only have an associate's degree, you must have 5 years of internal auditing experience in order to receive the CIA.
What GPA do you need for the CIA?
My answer only pertains to the intelligence agencies, such as the CIA and NSA. These organizations require a bachelors degree with a 3.0 GPA.
Can a CIA agent have a tattoo?
However, the Central Intelligence Agency's (CIA) website states, “Tattoos will not disqualify you from gaining employment at the CIA, and all professionally-qualified persons are encouraged to apply.”
Do you have to live in Washington, D.C. to work for the CIA?
The CIA requires employees to live in the Washington D.C. area as a condition of their employment. You can be living anywhere in the United States or its territories when you apply, but you must agree to relocate once hired. As a CIA officer, you may travel out of the country for work.
What is the lowest paying CIA job?
The lowest-paying job at CIA is a Security Officer with a salary of $45,316 per year (estimate). Are CIA employees satisfied with their compensation? CIA employees attributed a compensation and benefits rating of 3.9/5 stars to their company.
Can CIA agents tell their family?
Family Gets Only Basic Info
In order to protect sources and methods, and in the interest of maintaining national security, most CIA employees can't discuss their work, even with family.
Is working for the CIA worth it?
You'll feel challenged to be your absolute best with competitive compensation and the opportunity for financial rewards. Many of our employees stay for an entire career because of the opportunities for challenging, rewarding work.