Also called: U.S. Border Patrol Agent
Patrols the land and coastal borders between ports of entry to stop illegal crossings and smuggling.
Border Patrol agents patrol deserts, mountains, and rivers by truck, ATV, horse, and boat, tracking footprints and responding to sensor alerts. They also rescue migrants stranded in extreme heat. Many are posted in remote towns.
Federal GS pay plus overtime.
Approximate: anchored on Bureau of Labor Statistics data for a broader job group.
High school diploma, about 1 year after high school. High school diploma or experience; Spanish proficiency; academy in New Mexico.
Ways in: On-the-job training, Military. Training cost: Get paid while you train.
Majors to look at: Criminal Justice, Spanish.
Growing about average. No separate BLS projection; hiring depends on federal budgets.
Low risk in 5 years, medium in 10. Autonomous towers, sensors and drones cover more border, so fewer agents per mile; tracking and rescue stay human.
Classes: Spanish, PE / distance running, Earth science, Health / first aid.
Official data: O*NET occupation 33-3051.
Career Universe is an early version. Pay, training and AI-risk figures are estimates to start your own research, not verified facts. The research was written with AI research assistants, checked by validation scripts and spot-checked by hand. Check anything important with schools, employers and official sources. How the numbers work.