A career as an immigration officer offers a unique opportunity to serve your country, engage with people from all over the world, and play a crucial role in national security and the U.S. immigration system. But beyond the profound sense of duty, what is the financial reality of this career path?
For those considering this vital profession, the salary prospects are both stable and promising. With a clear, government-defined pay structure, immigration officers can expect to earn a competitive salary that grows significantly with experience, typically ranging from an entry-level of $50,000 to well over $115,000 for senior and supervisory roles.
This guide will break down the salary you can expect, the key factors that influence your earnings, and the overall career outlook for this rewarding field.
What Does an Immigration Officer Do?
Before we dive into the numbers, it's important to understand the role. An immigration officer is a federal law enforcement professional responsible for interpreting and enforcing U.S. immigration laws. Their duties are diverse and depend on the specific agency they work for, but generally include:
- Adjudicating Applications: Reviewing visas, green cards, asylum requests, and naturalization petitions.
- Conducting Interviews: Interviewing applicants to verify information and assess their eligibility for immigration benefits.
- Detecting Fraud: Investigating suspicious applications and identifying fraudulent documents or claims.
- Enforcement and Inspection: Inspecting individuals at ports of entry (airports, seaports, land borders) to determine admissibility into the United States.
These roles are primarily found within three key agencies under the Department of Homeland Security (DHS): U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS), U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP), and U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE).
Average Immigration Officer Salary
Unlike many private-sector jobs, the salary for an immigration officer is not subjective; it is structured by the federal government's General Schedule (GS) pay system. This provides a transparent and predictable path for career and salary advancement.
According to data from Salary.com, the median annual salary for an Immigration Officer in the United States is approximately $73,800, with a typical range falling between $63,600 and $85,400. However, this is just a snapshot. The GS scale provides a more detailed picture.
Most immigration officers begin their careers at the GS-5 or GS-7 grade level and can progress to GS-12 or GS-13 in a non-supervisory role. Senior and management positions can reach GS-14, GS-15, and even the Senior Executive Service (SES) level.
Here’s a breakdown based on the 2024 General Schedule pay scale (base pay, before locality adjustments):
- GS-5 (Entry-Level): $34,319 - $44,615
- GS-7 (Common Entry-Level with Bachelor's Degree): $42,522 - $55,278
- GS-9: $51,992 - $67,589
- GS-12: $75,341 - $97,946
- GS-13: $89,598 - $116,478
*Source: U.S. Office of Personnel Management (OPM) 2024 General Schedule (GS) Pay Table.*
It's crucial to note that this base pay is almost always increased by locality pay, which we will discuss below.
Key Factors That Influence Salary
Several key factors determine an immigration officer's exact salary within the GS framework. Understanding these will give you a clear picture of your potential earnings.
###
Level of Education
Your educational background is a primary factor in determining your starting GS level.
- GS-5 Qualification: You can typically qualify with a bachelor's degree OR three years of general experience.
- GS-7 Qualification: To start at the higher-paying GS-7 level, candidates often need a bachelor's degree with Superior Academic Achievement (a GPA of 3.0 or higher) or one full year of graduate-level education. This immediately places you on a higher salary track.
While a specific degree is not always required, majors in Criminal Justice, International Relations, Political Science, Sociology, or a related field can be highly advantageous.
###
Years of Experience
Experience is the single most important driver of salary growth for an immigration officer. The GS system is designed to reward tenure and performance. Officers are eligible for promotions, known as "grade increases," after demonstrating proficiency at their current level (typically after one year).
For example, an officer who starts at GS-7 can be promoted to GS-9 after one year, and then to GS-11 and GS-12 in subsequent years. Each promotion comes with a substantial pay raise. Furthermore, within each grade, there are 10 "steps" that provide annual pay increases, rewarding long-term service. Payscale.com data reinforces this, showing a clear and positive correlation between years in the field and overall compensation.
###
Geographic Location
Where you work matters immensely. To account for different costs of living across the country, the federal government adds Locality Pay to an officer's base salary. This percentage-based adjustment can dramatically increase your total earnings.
Let’s compare the salary for a GS-9, Step 1 employee in two different locations using the 2024 OPM data:
- Base Salary: $51,992
- Salary in Kansas City, MO (18.66% Locality Pay): $61,699
- Salary in San Jose-San Francisco-Oakland, CA (45.41% Locality Pay): $75,604
This means your physical work location can impact your salary by over $13,000 per year for the exact same job and grade level. High-cost-of-living areas like New York City, Washington D.C., and Los Angeles offer some of the highest locality adjustments.
###
Company Type (Agency)
While all immigration officers operate on the GS scale, the specific agency—USCIS, CBP, or ICE—can influence earning potential. This is often due to different career ladders and opportunities for overtime.
- USCIS (Immigration Services Officers): These roles are often more administrative and office-based. The career path is very structured, with clear progression to senior adjudicator roles (GS-12/13).
- CBP (CBP Officers): Working at ports of entry, these officers have significant opportunities for overtime pay due to the 24/7 nature of their operations, which can substantially boost annual income.
- ICE (Deportation Officers, Special Agents): These enforcement-focused roles also have strong career ladders and may include Law Enforcement Availability Pay (LEAP), which adds a 25% premium to the base salary for criminal investigators who are on-call.
###
Area of Specialization
Within each agency, specialized roles can lead to higher pay grades. An officer who moves from a generalist role to a specialized unit like the Fraud Detection and National Security Directorate (FDNS) or becomes an Asylum Officer may find more rapid promotion opportunities. Gaining expertise in complex areas of immigration law, such as asylum and refugee law or business immigration, makes an officer more valuable and can pave the way for supervisory positions (GS-13 and above).
Job Outlook
The demand for immigration and customs professionals remains steady and is closely tied to national priorities, global events, and federal immigration policies.
The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) groups immigration and customs inspectors with Police and Detectives. For this broader category, the BLS projects a 3% job growth from 2022 to 2032. While this is about as fast as the average for all occupations, the federal government consistently hires to fill positions vacated by retirees and to meet evolving security needs. This creates a stable stream of opportunities for qualified candidates each year.
Conclusion
A career as an immigration officer is more than just a job—it's a commitment to public service with a clear and rewarding financial path. The transparent General Schedule pay system ensures that your salary will grow predictably with your experience and dedication.
Key Takeaways:
- Strong Earning Potential: Expect a competitive salary that increases significantly with promotions and locality pay, often exceeding $100,000 in senior roles.
- Growth is Structured: Your salary is not a mystery. It is determined by the federal GS scale, with clear steps for advancement based on performance and time in service.
- Location Matters: Locality pay can add tens of thousands of dollars to your annual income, making your work location a critical factor.
- Education Gives You a Head Start: A strong academic record can help you start at a higher pay grade, accelerating your career from day one.
For individuals seeking a stable, meaningful, and financially secure career in federal law enforcement, the role of an immigration officer presents an exceptional opportunity.