FBI Agents
Overview
Introduction
FBI agents, special agents of the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), are employees of the federal government. The FBI investigates and enforces more than 300 federal statutes that encompass terrorism, organized crime, white-collar crime, public corruption, financial crime, government fraud, bribery, copyright matters, civil rights violations, bank robbery, extortion, kidnapping, air piracy, terrorism, foreign counterintelligence, interstate criminal activity, and fugitive and drug trafficking matters. Agents also conduct backgro...
Quick Facts
Median Salary
Employment Prospects
Minimum Education Level
Experience
Skills
Personality Traits
Earnings
Special agent trainees start out at the federal governments GL-10, Step 1 level—$58,412 in 2024, depending on where the agent lives. Salaries for agents are increased slightly if they reside in cities such as New York, Los Angeles, and Miami, where there is a high cost of living. FBI agents in non-supervisory positions can reach the GS-13 grade—at about $88,520 in 2024. Agents who move into man...
Work Environment
Depending on their case assignments, FBI agents may work a very strenuous and variable schedule. They are on call for possible assignment 24 hours a day. Assignments may be given for any location at any time.
Every aspect of the agents work is of a confidential nature. As a result, agents may work under potentially dangerous circumstances in carrying out their assignments, and they may b...
Outlook
Most job vacancies within the FBI are due to agents retiring, advancing, or resigning from their positions. Turnover, in general, has traditionally been low, as most agents remain with the FBI throughout their working lives.
The numbers of FBI special agents are linked to the scope of the FBIs responsibilities. Increases in organized crimes, white-collar crimes, and terrorist threats (bo...
