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For Educators: Military Resources
For Educators: Military Resources

Customs and Border Protection Officers

Median Salary
72,280
Job Outlook
+3%

Overview

What are the responsibilities of this role?

Investigate and inspect persons, common carriers, goods, and merchandise, arriving in or departing from the United States or between states to detect violations of immigration and customs laws and regulations.

What is the job outlook?

Overall employment of police and detectives is projected to grow 4 percent from 2023 to 2033, about as fast as the average for all occupations. About 63,000 openings for police and detectives are projected each year, on average, over the decade. Many of those openings are expected to result from the need to replace workers who transfer to different occupations or exit the labor force, such as to retire.

Compensation

What is the typical salary range?

$41,080

10%

$72,280

Median

$113,460

90%

How does location impact how much salary?

Education

What level of education do professionals in this role have?

Education Level

  • High school

    39%

  • Bachelor's degree

    27%

  • Some college

    14%

  • Post-secondary certificate

    10%

  • Associate's degree

    7%

  • Post baccalaureate

    2%

Which college majors best prepare you for this role?

  • Criminalistics and Criminal Science
  • Criminal Justice/Police Science
  • Law Enforcement Investigation and Interviewing
  • Criminal Justice and Corrections, General
  • Critical Incident Response/Special Police Operations
  • Environmental/Natural Resources Law Enforcement and Protective Services
  • Protective Services Operations

Skills and Interest

What knowledge should you bring to the table?

  • Customer and Personal Service
  • Public Safety and Security
  • Law and Government
  • English Language
  • Psychology

What personality traits help people thrive in this role?

Conventional

You like structure, staying organized, and working with systems to get things done efficiently.

Enterprising

You love taking risks in business or personal projects — and have the leadership skills to back it up.

Realistic

You love hands-on work and solving practical problems — like fixing things and building stuff.

RIASEC represents six broad interest areas—Realistic, Investigative, Artistic, Social, Enterprising, and Conventional—helping individuals identify careers that match their skills and preferences.

Take the RIASEC Test

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Data supplied by Bureau of Labor Statistics, National Center of Education Statistics, Defense Manpower Data Center (View our update schedule). Contact any business, college or military service branch to answer additional questions.