Highest Paying Jobs At U.S. Customs and Border Protection: Top U.S. Customs and Border Protection Salaries [2026]
Research Summary. Utilizing a combination of government data and insights from thousands of job postings, our Zippia data experts have pinpointed high-paying roles within U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) along with their average annual salaries. Our data scientists have compiled salary estimates for various positions at U.S. Customs and Border Protection.
Here’s a snapshot of our findings regarding the highest-paying jobs at U.S. Customs and Border Protection:
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Senior Network Engineer is the top-paying job at U.S. Customs and Border Protection, with an average salary of $104,721 and an average hourly rate of $50.35.
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The second highest-paying position is Program Management Analyst, earning an average salary of $88,952.
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The overall average salary at U.S. Customs and Border Protection is $56,024 per year, translating to an hourly pay of $26.93.
Table Of Contents: Background | Table | Methodology | FAQs
Background
Many individuals have a specific organization in mind before selecting their desired job. If your goal is to work for U.S. Customs and Border Protection, knowing the highest-paying roles available can guide your application process.
So, what can you expect to earn at U.S. Customs and Border Protection? Salaries at CBP can vary based on position, years of experience, and geographical location. However, certain positions consistently offer higher salaries. Below are some of the top earning roles at U.S. Customs and Border Protection:
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Senior Network Engineer – $104,721
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Program Management Analyst – $88,952
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Legal Extern – $88,390
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Quality Assurance Analyst – $73,277
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Quality Assurance Engineer – $71,532
Below is a comprehensive table detailing the highest-paying jobs at U.S. Customs and Border Protection, followed by an explanation of our methodology.
Highest Paying Jobs At U.S. Customs and Border Protection
| Rank | Job Title | Average Salary |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Senior Network Engineer | |
| 2 | Program Management Analyst | |
| 3 | Legal Extern | |
| 4 | Quality Assurance Analyst | |
| 5 | Quality Assurance Engineer | |
| 6 | Program Manager | |
| 7 | Officer | |
| 8 | Marine Extension Agent | |
| 9 | Agricultural Specialist | |
| 10 | Customs Inspector | |
| 11 | Executive Assistant | |
| 12 | Border Patrol Agent | |
| 13 | Support Specialist | |
| 14 | Field Operator | |
| 15 | Human Resources Assistant | |
| 16 | Internship | |
| 17 | Office Automation Clerk |
Methodology
Zippia leverages publicly available data from government agencies such as the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), Foreign Labor Certification Data Center (FLC), and the Office of Personnel Management (OPM) to derive our salary estimates.
Our data science team also reviews job listings and resources published by companies to acquire current salary information.
After compiling the data, the team calculates a weighted average for each job title to estimate salaries. For more information about our salary estimates, please refer to our detailed methodology.
Highest Paying Jobs At U.S. Customs and Border Protection FAQs
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What is the highest-paid job at U.S. Customs and Border Protection?
The highest-paid job at U.S. Customs and Border Protection is a Senior Network Engineer. These professionals earn an average salary of $104,721, which translates to about $50.35 per hour.
The top 10 highest-paid jobs at U.S. Customs and Border Protection are:
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Senior Network Engineer – $104,721
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Program Management Analyst – $88,952
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Legal Extern – $88,390
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Quality Assurance Analyst – $73,277
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Quality Assurance Engineer – $71,532
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Program Manager – $68,341
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Officer – $62,898
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Marine Extension Agent – $57,676
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Agricultural Specialist – $57,631
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Customs Inspector – $55,442
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What is a good salary at U.S. Customs and Border Protection?
A good salary at U.S. Customs and Border Protection is one that exceeds $56,024 per year. This figure represents the average salary at the agency, indicating that if you earn above this amount, you are generally performing well.
However, $56,024 may still be insufficient for some roles, so it’s crucial to benchmark your salary against industry standards for your specific position, skill set, and experience level. If your compensation falls below the average, it may be worth discussing a raise or exploring professional development opportunities to enhance your earning potential.
Salary variations by location are also significant, as U.S. Customs and Border Protection, like many organizations, adjusts pay scales based on the cost of living in different areas. For instance, average salaries for CBP employees in Washington D.C. are likely to be higher than those in more rural regions.
Check the average salaries of U.S. Customs and Border Protection employees in your area to better understand how your earnings stack up.
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Do jobs at U.S. Customs and Border Protection pay well?
According to the U.S. Office of Personnel Management, a key competitor of U.S. Customs and Border Protection, their employees earn an average salary of $64,633 per year, which is roughly $8,609 more than CBP’s average salary and $4.14 more per hour than their average hourly pay.
In conclusion, if you are considering a career with U.S. Customs and Border Protection, understanding the salary structure can help you make informed decisions. With several high-paying positions available, there are ample opportunities for career advancement and financial success within the agency. Stay abreast of trends in compensation and the labor market to maximize your potential in this field.
Author
Chris Kolmar is a co-founder of Zippia and the editor-in-chief of the Zippia career advice blog. He has hired over 50 people in his career, been hired five times, and wants to help you land your next job. His research has been featured on the New York Times, Thrillist, VOX, The Atlantic, and a host of local news. More recently, he's been quoted on USA Today, BusinessInsider, and CNBC.
