GraduateSmart
GraduateSmart
Investigate violations of federal criminal law and gather intelligence to protect national security.
$62,000
Lower reported wage
—
Not available in our data
$139,000
Upper reported wage
Annual U.S. salaries. Actual pay varies by location, employer, and experience. The lower and upper figures do not represent starting and senior salaries.

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Create free account →BLS police and detectives is a broad proxy; it does not define FBI entry rules. [1]
Search CareerOneStop by occupation and state, then confirm the rules with the issuing agency. Coverage is incomplete; an empty result does not mean no license is required.
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U.S. career guide. Program, employer, and state requirements can differ.
No dedicated FBI Special Agent SOC. Reported under 33-3021 Detectives/Investigators (mean $98,770). FBI-specific compensation, including GS base pay plus 25% LEAP plus locality, usually exceeds the OEWS mean.
Annual median review, October 27, 2026: The stored BLS occupation includes a broader population than this specialty, title, or credential. No separate annual median for this role has been verified in the reviewed source, so the broader occupation median is not presented as its own. Sources: https://www.bls.gov/oes/2025/may/oes_stru.htm . Existing employment and projection figures were not refreshed.
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Ask whether any internship, field placement, or supervised training in your chosen route is paid; arrangements vary. [1]
Compare tuition after aid, required supplies and exams, travel, and any unpaid training time for the route you choose.
Planning questions: request a written estimate from each program or sponsor. A total cost has not been verified here.
A related major can be preparation; it does not by itself qualify you for the career.
Relevant foundation; FBI accepts multiple fields, so verify the current vacancy. [1]
Investigate federal crimes, gather evidence, interview sources, and prepare cases. [1]
Field offices, investigation sites, and interagency teams. [1]
Assignments, travel, and urgent cases can make hours irregular. [1]
Sensitive evidence, risk, and public trust require discipline. [1]
Experience may lead to specialized investigations or supervision. [1]
These are possible directions. Promotion timing and pay depend on the role and employer.