ICE agents income: What is the average annual salary of Trump's immigration task force?

Donald Trump has made multiple big and controversial decisions ever since his second term as President began. From imposing reciprocal tariffs to enforcing the immigration crackdown, he has a certain agenda that he has been fulfilling.While many of the Trump administration comrades have become popular faces in the news, the ICE officials are those soldiers of the Trump army that have quickly become one of the most talked about people in the world due to their constant arrests and raids on immigrant families.Currently, the actions of ICE officials have been facing staunch protests in downtown LA where people are demanding they leave.Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) officials work for one of the most visible and controversial branches of federal law enforcement where they are tasked with roles of tracking human trafficking networks and cybercrime rings, managing customs inspection, detaining individuals without documentation and coordinating deportations.These officials are performing a duty, but they are being questioned and condemned by the people daily as their duty leads to the upheaval of their lives as they know it. Thus, a question has been quietly making rounds: How much do ICE agents actually earn?

How much do ICE agents earn?

While some ICE officials are placed at border crossings and airports, others work in field offices across the US or even abroad.According to O*NET Online, a U.S. Department of Labour Data Service, roles similar to ICE agents such as criminal investigators and special agents receive an average annual salary of $79,970.

Entry-level ICE agents typically hired at GS-5 (General Schedule) earn around $29,350 annually. With more experience and qualifications, they can advance to GS-13 where they can receive $76,687 or more per year.Those in top-tier roles like supervision or assigned to high-cost regions receive even more with locality adjustments and overtime.

How to become an ICE agent?

Most entry-level jobs at ICE require a bachelor's degree whereas some positions require a year of graduate study unless the applicant graduated with Superior Academic Achievement (SAA)In some cases, a master's degree can help waive the requirement for the GL-9 level.Veterans and those with significant law enforcement or military experience can qualify without the requirement of traditional academic credentials.Jobs for ICE and other positions are expected to grow by 5-9% through 2026, creating approximately 7,500 vacancies. With ICE itself employing more than 20,000 people in over 400 U.S. offices and 47 countries, joining the team could be a beneficial career move.