What's the highest Fbi Agent salary?
Asked by: scraper | Last update: September 2, 2026Score: 0/5 (0 votes)
The highest possible salary for an FBI employee reaches $274,000, which is available to those in the Senior Executive Service (SES). For career Special Agents, the top pay typically caps near $212,800 in high-cost areas like New York City after approximately 18 years of service.
Who gets paid more, CIA or FBI?
Both agencies use the federal General Schedule (GS) pay scale, so base salaries are comparable. However, FBI Special Agents generally take home more pay for entry to mid-level positions due to mandatory "Availability Pay," which adds a flat 25% to an agent’s base salary to account for 50-hour workweeks.
Can you join FBI at 40?
You cannot join the FBI as a Special Agent at age 40 unless you qualify for specific age waivers available to preference-eligible veterans or current federal law enforcement officers. The standard maximum entry age for FBI Special Agents is 36.
Can FBI agents make 6 figures?
You usually hit top pay after about 18 years of permanent service, which is at Step 10. And in D.C., this brings you to about $195,900 per year. And $201,800 in New York City. In addition to their compensation, FBI Special Agents are also entitled to a 401(k) match, as well as a federal pension plan.
Do FBI agents make good money?
Average Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) Special Agent yearly pay in the United States is approximately $115,034, which is 6% above the national average.
How Much Do FBI Agents Get Paid?
Is 30 too late to join FBI?
No, 30 is not too late to join the FBI as a Special Agent. The maximum age cutoff to be appointed is your 37th birthday, which leaves you a comfortable window to apply, provided you meet other core qualifications. In fact, the average age of new FBI agents is 29.
How much do CIA agents get paid?
CIA agents and intelligence officers typically earn between $60,000 and $130,000 annually depending on the role, experience, and education. Starting salaries for entry-level positions generally begin between $77,840 and $128,956, with mid-career professionals and senior executives easily surpassing $140,000.
How old is the youngest FBI agent?
The absolute minimum age to become an FBI Special Agent is 23 years old. While the FBI doesn't publicly track who its youngest agent is, exceptions or accelerated career paths mean some join right at the earliest eligibility threshold, though the average starting age for new agents is around 30.
Is getting hired by FBI hard?
Getting hired by the FBI is incredibly difficult. Historically, acceptance rates are highly competitive. Tens of thousands apply, but only a few hundred to a thousand are typically selected each year to attend the FBI Academy in Quantico, Virginia.
Do FBI agents have to retire after 20 years?
No, FBI agents do not have to retire after 20 years, but they become eligible to do so once they reach 20 years of service and are at least 50 years old. While they are not forced out at the 20-year mark, they do face a mandatory retirement age of 57.
What disqualifies you from FBI?
EMPLOYMENT DISQUALIFIERS The specific elements that automatically disqualify candidates for FBI employment include but are not limited to: • Use of illegal drugs in violation of the FBI Employment Drug Policy • Conviction of a felony • Default on a student loan insured by the U.S. government • Failure of an FBI- ...
Can I retire at 57 with 25 years of federal service?
Yes, you can retire at 57 with 25 years of federal service, but the type of retirement and your eligibility for benefits depend on the specific circumstances of your departure.
How long is FBI training?
FBI Special Agent training lasts approximately 18 weeks (about 850 instructional hours) at the FBI Academy in Quantico, Virginia. This Basic Field Training Course (BFTC) requires trainees to live on campus while undergoing intensive instruction in academics, physical fitness, defensive tactics, and firearms proficiency.
Is FBI a stressful job?
Yes, being an FBI agent is considered a high-stress career due to long hours, dangerous field assignments, and heavy responsibility. While it offers, rewarding,, and prestigious work, agents often face intense, unpredictable schedules, significant paperwork, and emotional, high-stakes investigations.
What is the most elite FBI unit?
The Hostage Rescue Team (HRT) is the most elite tactical unit in the FBI. Established in 1983 as a full-time counterterrorism and hostage rescue unit, it is the domestic equivalent of Tier-1 military special operations forces like Delta Force or DEVGRU, but with full federal law enforcement authority on U.S. soil.
Do CIA and FBI get along?
The CIA and FBI generally collaborate, but their relationship has historically been marked by a famous and tense rivalry. While they are both pillars of U.S. intelligence, they operate with vastly different cultures, legal jurisdictions, and goals.
What GPA is required for FBI?
There is no minimum cumulative GPA requirement for general FBI Special Agent applicants. However, if you are applying through student or graduate programs, such as the Honors Internship Program or the Collegiate Hiring Initiative, you generally must maintain a cumulative GPA of 3.0 or higher.
Do FBI agents have to move a lot?
No, FBI agents do not have to move a lot, and many special agents spend their entire careers working out of a single field office. While all agents must sign a mobility agreement that allows the FBI to transfer them based on operational needs, involuntary relocations are rare.
What is the FBI's most wanted list?
The FBI's Most Wanted list—formally known as the Ten Most Wanted Fugitives list—is a public roster of highly dangerous criminals, terrorists, and fugitives. Established in 1950, it publicizes offenders who pose a serious menace to society and rely on nationwide publicity and citizen tips to aid in their capture.
Why do FBI agents retire at 57?
FBI special agents are subject to a mandatory retirement age of 57 by federal law to ensure a young, vigorous, and physically capable law enforcement workforce. Because their physically and psychologically demanding duties require optimal stamina, Congress mandated this age limit for all federal law enforcement officers.
What degrees are best for FBI jobs?
12 degree options for FBI agents
- Criminal justice. Criminal justice is one of the most popular degree options for FBI agents. ...
- Criminology. Criminology is a subset of sociology that studies criminal behavior. ...
- Sociology. ...
- Psychology. ...
- Computer science. ...
- Cybersecurity. ...
- Public safety administration. ...
- International studies.
Who ran the FBI for 48 years?
Hoover died in his sleep on May 2, 1972, he had led the FBI for 48 years.
How much do undercover FBI agents make?
As of May 13, 2026, the average annual pay for an Undercover Agent in Los Angeles is $71,527 a year.
What is higher than a CIA agent?
Within the U.S. government hierarchy, the Central Intelligence Agency (CIA) answers directly to the Director of National Intelligence (DNI). Above the DNI and the CIA are the National Security Council (NSC), the President of the United States, and ultimately, the U.S. Congress, which oversees funding and legislation.
What does a CIA agent do all day?
CIA agents (officially known as Operations Officers) spend their days gathering foreign intelligence and executing covert actions to protect U.S. national security. Their daily routines often involve operating under diplomatic cover, recruiting and meeting foreign informants (assets), analyzing global threats, and writing extensive, classified reports for U.S. policymakers.