A Customs and Border Protection officer (CBP), or Border Patrol agent, is a member of the U.S. Border Patrol or a law enforcement official who stops and checks people at the border to see if they are allowed to enter the U.S., and checks their goods for contraband such as drugs, weapons and alcohol. In order to become a Customs and Border Protection officer, it takes approximately 5 months of training and studying in order to learn about custom laws, anti-terrorism laws, international relations, academic subjects and physical training.
A customs and border protection officer’s duties are defined by their title: protecting the nation from terrorist threats, keeping illegal substances out of the country, and ensuring that travelers are following immigration laws. To perform these tasks, a customs and border protection officer must have both excellent physical fitness and dependable mental faculties.
Those who are interested in the careers that this website offers need to recognize that they’ll have to pay their dues when they start out. However, after gaining some experience and working their way up through the ranks, there’s no limit to what these individuals can achieve. If you’re looking for a rewarding career that makes a difference in people’s lives, this might be right for you
Starting Salary For Customs And Border Protection Officer Overview
Congrats! You’re ready to make your mark on the world as a Customs and Border Protection Officer—and we’re here to tell you just how much of an impact you’ll be able to make.
According to the CBP Officer Pay Calculator, which is updated regularly by the U.S. Customs and Border Protection, an entry-level officer can expect to earn $51,520 per year (plus benefits). That’s not bad at all for someone with no experience under their belt.
But that’s not all—the pay scale for customs agents is competitive across the board. As you work your way up through the ranks, you’ll see your salary grow exponentially. In fact, top-level officers can make over $100,000 per year!
So if you’re looking for a job where you can feel confident in what you bring home each month, this might be just what you’re looking for!
What Customs And Border Protection Officer Do
A customs agent or officer is responsible for enforcing laws, duties, and taxes regarding the import and export of goods, people, and materials. Especially since the terror attacks of September 11, 2001, one of the most important roles that U.S. customs officers play is to keep dangerous materials from entering or leaving the United States.
Customs and Border Protection officers are assigned to the Customs and Border Protection Field Operations Division, one of three uniformed divisions within the U.S. Customs and Border Protection agency of the Department of Homeland Security. The other two uniformed divisions are the U.S. Border Patrol and the Customs and Border Protection Air and Marine division.
While both customs officers and border patrol agents are focused on keeping national borders safe and secure, customs officers’ primary focus is on the import and export of goods and materials as opposed to immigration.
Customs officers work at international airports, seaports, and land ports around the United States and at key locations around the world. They inspect cargo, passengers, and luggage to help keep illegal drugs and other contraband from making its way into the U.S.
They also enforce laws with regards to the movement of intellectual property and make sure potentially invasive animals and plants are not brought into the country illegally.
Customs officers help ensure the collection of import taxes and duties, which in turn help local commerce and the U.S. economy.
Steps for Becoming a Customs And Border Protection Officer
Candidates who are wondering how to become a CBP officer should know that the competition is fierce; in recent years, the Department of Homeland Security has tightened its eligibility requirements to ensure that only the best and most qualified applicants are hired.
The CBP specifies there are three ways to qualify for an entry level position. Candidates either need to have a bachelor’s degree from an accredited university, three years of relevant work experience, or a combination of post-high school education and work experience. Desired experience includes positions that demonstrate the prospective officer’s interpersonal skills and an ability to learn and interpret facts.
Applicants must also meet several other requirements to be considered:
- Pass the GS-9 waiver entrance exam
- Be a U.S. citizen who is under 37 years of age
- Have resided in the U.S. for three years before applying
- Possess a valid driver’s license
- Pass a medical exam, drug test, and security background check
- Submit to and pass two physical fitness tests (PFTs)
- Pass an interview with a board of current CBP officers
- Submit to and pass a standardized polygraph exam
Graduates of the Maryville University online bachelor’s in criminal justice program have found that this versatile degree provides a solid launch point into a career as a federal law enforcement officer. Coursework in the program includes classes such as Introduction to Criminal Justice, Multicultural Policing, Corrections in Society and Domestic and International Terrorism. Upon graduation, students will have an understanding of criminology, the law, and how it’s applied in a law enforcement setting.
Customs And Border Protection Officer Salaries
The average annual compensation for CBP officers depends on where they are in their career ladder (also referred to as their grade level) and where they are stationed, since officers in designated duty locations are eligible to receive additional pay. Officers in the Customs and Border Protection start at a GS-5 classification and can, over time, be promoted to GS-12.
Data from the U.S. Office of Personnel Management shows that, as of December 2018, the average annual compensation for a GS-5 officer was $40,154. This includes a $28,945 base salary and $11,209 in additional compensation for overtime and a night differential.
This data also shows that the average annual compensation for a GS-12 officer during that same year was $95,437. This includes a $63,600 base salary and $31,837 in additional compensation for overtime and a night differential.
