Border Patrol Agent; BPA Entry Level

February 2026 Update | GL-5/7 grade levels Border Patrol Agent (BPA) – in the Federal Security and Public Safety Sector (Entry Level)

** A MISSION WORTHY OF A CAREER!
** If you’re looking for “just a job,” then stop reading right now. But, if you’re looking for a long‑term federal law enforcement career, one that makes a difference every day to our country and its citizens, then the U.S. Border Patrol (USBP) would like you to take the first step to becoming an entry level Border Patrol Agent. USBP is hiring immediately to fill full‑time, entry‑level, career positions in federal law enforcement where your prior experience in public safety, security, military police or law enforcement may qualify.

Train and work with an elite team of professionals whose camaraderie, pride, and sense of purpose are hallmarks of their daily mission of protecting America. Now is the time to make your move because, along with excellent base pay, exceptional benefits, and job stability, USBP is offering up to $60,000 in additional incentives (see details below).

Annual base salary for newly appointed BPAs varies per grade, as follows:
GL-5/GL-7 $51,632 - $92,219 per year.

Border Patrol Agents are eligible to select from an array of federal employment benefits that include health, dental and other insurance plans, a generous annual and sick leave program, and participation in the Thrift Savings Plan, a retirement plan akin to a traditional ROTH 401(k) offering.

Newly appointed Border Patrol Agents (as defined in 5 CFR 575.102) will be eligible for up to $20,000 in incentives. The first $10,000 will be paid upon successful completion of the Border Patrol Academy, with the remaining $10,000 awarded for accepting a prioritized location such as Sierra Blanca, Presidio, Sanderson, Comstock, Freer or Hebbronville, TX;
Lordsburg, NM; or Ajo, AZ.

Newly appointed Border Patrol Agents may also qualify for up to $40,000 in additional incentives distributed over their first four years.

• Big Bend Sector Stations - Presidio, Van Horn, Sanderson, Alpine, Sierra Blanca, Marfa
• Buffalo Sector Stations - Wellesley Island, Del Rio
• Del Rio Sector Stations - Del Rio, Brackettville, Comstock, Eagle Pass North, Eagle Pass South, Carrizo Springs, Uvalde
• El Paso Sector Stations - Alamogordo, Clint, Deming, El Paso, Fort Hancock, Las Cruces, Lordsburg, Santa Teresa, Ysleta
• El Centro Sector Stations - El Centro, Indio, Calexico
• Grand Forks Sector Stations - Pembina, Havre
• Sector Stations - Havre, Malta, Plentywood, Scobey, Sweetgrass
• Houlton Sector Stations - Calais, Fort Fairfield, Jackman, Rangeley, Van Buren
• Laredo Sector Stations - Laredo South, Cotulla, Hebbronville, Laredo West, Freer, Laredo North, Zapata
• Rio Grande Valley Sector Stations - Rio Grande City, Fort Brown, McAllen, Brownsville, Falfurrias, Weslaco, Kingsville, Harlingen
• San Diego Sector Stations - Boulevard, Brownfield, Campo, Chula Vista, Imperial Beach, Murrieta, San Clemente
• Spokane Sector Stations - Colville, Curlew, Metaline Falls, Oroville, Swanton
• Sector Stations - Beecher Falls, Burke, Champlain, Newport, Richford
• Tucson Sector Stations - Ajo, Tucson, Nogales, Douglas, Brian A Terry, Sonoita, Casa Grande, Three Points Substation, Willcox
• Yuma Sector Stations - Blythe, Yuma, Wellton

• Detecting and questioning people suspected of violating immigration and custom laws and inspecting documents and possessions to determine citizenship or violations.
• Preventing and apprehending undocumented noncitizens and smugglers of noncitizens at or near the borders by maintaining surveillance from covert positions to include using infrared scopes during night operations.
• Interpreting and following tracks, marks, and other physical evidence of illegal entry of persons or contraband.
• Performing farm checks, building checks, traffic checks, city patrols, and transportation checks.
• Patrolling the international boundary and coastal waterways using a variety of government assets such as vehicles, horses, vessels, watercraft, off‑road vehicles, ATVs, snowmobiles, and motorcycles for the accomplishment of the USBP…