Agent Jobs Near Me

Yes, you can make $100,000 per year as an agent. While possible, it is unlikely to earn over $100k as an agent because even higher-paid positions do not typically earn more than $62,000 per year. The average annual salary for an agent is $35,399. For example, agents in Alabama whose salaries are in the 90th percentile earn an average salary of $116,000.

To get hired by the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), you need to satisfy several minimum qualifications, not meet any disqualifying criteria, and possess various technical and soft skills. To be competitive, you will need a relevant college degree and years of relevant professional work experience.

To get hired by the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), you must satisfy several minimum qualifications and not meet any of the bureau's disqualifying criteria.

The FBI lays out the following minimum qualifications to get hired by the bureau in any role:

• Must be a U.S. Citizen

• Muse be able to obtain a top security clearance

• Must be in compliance with the FBI Drug Policy

For special agent roles, there are additional minimum qualifications, including but not limited to age, education, and experience.

Obtaining a top security clearance is an extensive and invasive deep dive into your background, including but not limited to records checks, reference checks, and interviews with anyone who might provide insight into your personality.

In addition to satisfying the minimum qualifications to get hired by the FBI, you must not meet any of the bureau's disqualifying criteria. Some examples of automatic disqualifiers are:

• Prior felony convictions

• Default on a government-issued student loan

• Failure to register with the Selective Service

• Engaged in acts to overthrow the U.S. government

• Failure to pay court-ordered child support

• Failure to file federal, state, or local income tax returns

Once you have met the minimum standards for employment with the FBI, you will need various technical and soft skills as they apply to the specific position for which you are applying.

To be competitive, you will need a bachelor's or advanced degree in a relevant field. The most common degree areas for a position with the FBI are criminal justice and business.

When most people think of FBI careers, the role of FBI special agent comes to mind. This is not the only role for which the bureau hires, though. The FBI hires for many different types of positions, including analysts, linguists, and scientists.

It is extremely hard to become an FBI agent. First, you must satisfy several minimum qualifications and not meet any of the bureau's disqualifying criteria. But, that alone is not enough. You will also need a college degree, impeccable character and background, and various technical and soft skills.

The Federal Bureau of Investigation accepts fewer than 20% of all applicants to any position within the bureau, according to a study by Tulane University. The FBI reports rates of acceptance for the role of special agent, specifically, closer to 5%.

Before being considered for a position as an FBI agent, you must not meet any of multiple disqualifying criteria, including felony and domestic violence convictions, defaulting on government-backed student loans or court-ordered child support, and failing to file income tax returns at any level.

Not meeting any of the disqualifying criteria is not enough on its own. You must also be a U.S. Citizen who is in compliance with the FBI Drug Policy and is able to obtain a top security clearance to be considered for any position with the FBI.

To obtain a top security clearance, you must undergo an extensive and invasive background investigation that draws conclusions on various aspects of your person.

• Stability

• Trustworthiness

• Reliability

• Discretion

• Character

• Honesty

• Judgment

• Loyalty to the U.S.

Background investigators will conduct several checks, including but not limited to:

• Records checks: credit, criminal, and civil

• Employment checks

• Reference checks

• Income tax records

• Driving history

Former employers, co-workers, neighbors, friends, and family may all be contacted during the FBI background investigation process. The process is extensive and invasive because it is thorough. Be prepared to answer questions about the time you stole a piece of candy from the corner store when you were seven.

In addition to obtaining a top security clearance, which is required for all positions with the FBI, you need to meet the following additional minimum qualifications to become an FBI special agent:

• Be aged 23-36

• Have a bachelor's degree

• Have a valid driver's license with six months of driving experience

• Have two years of full-time work experience, or one year plus a master's degree

• Meet the special agent physical fitness requirements

Though a degree is not required, it is extremely difficult to secure a role as an FBI agent without a relevant college degree. The most competitive applicants have advanced degrees and years of relevant full-time work experience.

FBI agents earn between $24 and $34 an hour, on average. FBI agent pay is standardized on the Law Enforcement Government PayScale, where entry-level agents earn around $50,000 to $70,000 a year at GL-10.

After two years in the field, FBI special agents start earning on the federal civilian employee pay scale, General Schedule (GS). Agents can advance up to GS-13, where their pay potential increases to around $100,000 annually.

On top of pay, FBI special agents earn bragging rights with their friends for being accepted to this elite and competitive agency.

The different types of agents are universal, general, special, and mercantile.

Universal agents operate with a broad legal mandate to act on behalf of their clients and represent their best interests as a whole. Their level of authority is unlimited. An example of a universal agent is someone who has been legally granted power of attorney.

General agents are given legal authority to act on their client's behalf within a specific realm. Agents who represent performers and celebrities are general agents given authority to represent their client's interests professionally. Once hired, they work to achieve success for their client.

Special agents have a much more limited level of authority than universal and general agents. Special agents have the authority to act within a specific process or transaction for a limited time. A fiduciary is an example of a special agent.

A mercantile agent has the authority to buy, sell, or raise money on the security of goods. Brokers are examples of mercantile agents.

A job agent is an individual that assists workers in finding jobs and/or employers in finding workers. Job agents typically work for employment or staffing agencies.

While a college degree is not required to work as a job agent, the most competitive applicants have a bachelor's degree, in addition to work experience and strong written and verbal communication skills.