Do FBI agents get paid well?

Yes, FBI agents get paid moderately well. FBI agents are by no means wealthy, but they earn enough to live comfortably. They also can travel, qualify for promotions and develop their skills.

How hard is it to become a special agent?

It is very hard to become a special agent. Becoming an FBI agent is a tremendously difficult and competitive process. It takes years of time, planning, and hard work to mold yourself into the kind of candidate the FBI is looking to hire, and the hiring process itself can take a year or longer. The FBI hires less than one of five (fewer than 20%) applicants for entry programs or career tracks.

How long does it take to become a special agent?

It takes over 800 hours, or about 20 weeks, to become a special agent. However, this is just the training at the FBI Academy; overall, it takes at least two to three years of work experience and completing a rigorous application process to become a special agent.

Is "special agent" a real job?

Yes, "special agent" is a real job. A special agent is a detective or criminal investigator who works for a government agency. They investigate suspected and alleged criminal violations of laws to determine if the evidence is sufficient to warrant a prosecution.

Is it hard to get into the FBI?

Yes, it is very hard to get into the FBI. Becoming an FBI agent is a tremendously difficult and competitive process. It takes years of time, planning, and hard work to mold yourself into the kind of candidate the FBI is looking to hire, and the hiring process itself can take a year or longer. The FBI hires less than one of five (fewer than 20%) applicants for entry programs or career tracks.

How To Become A Special Agent: What It Is and Career Path

What is a special agent and how to become one

Updated January 8, 2025

3 min read

Quoted expert

Jodi Gill

Being a Special Agent is probably one of the most thrilling careers you can think of. Most people confuse a secret agent with this title, but both are quite different. They are smart individuals who are involved in state security, investigation, and criminal justice. Criminals fear them, as agents keep their eyes on them for quite some time.

Special agents conduct investigations of various criminal activities, including extortion, kidnapping, fraud, cybercrime, white collar, and several financial crimes. They also investigate potential terrorist threats, interstate illegal activities, and international espionage. If needed, suspects are taken into custody by them on the order of the court. They can also issue arrest warrants on their own.

As a Special Agent, you can earn $26.80 per hour, which is $55,734 per year. A bachelor's degree is the primary educational requirement for this job. But you might also need relevant experience to get hired. They normally have to work 50 hours every week, including holidays and weekends.

What's a day at work look like for a special agent?

Jodi Gill

Internship Coordinator, Pennsylvania State University - Beaver

There is no "typical day" in this field, which is why I enjoy it so much! At any point in time, criminal justice professionals are required to pivot and adapt. Coursework in criminal justice prepares individuals for changing times and circumstances, and our graduates are ready to meet those challenges!

ScoreSpecial AgentUS Average

Salary

4.8

Avg. Salary $60,916

Avg. Salary $59,228

Stability level

10.0

Growth rate 3%

Growth rate 0.3%

Diversity

2.9

Race

American Indian and Alaska Native 0.66%

Asian 2.82%

Black or African American 11.77%

Hispanic or Latino 16.76%

Unknown 4.99%

White 62.99%

Gender

female 16.91%

male 83.09%

Age - 44

Race

American Indian and Alaska Native 3.00%

Asian 7.00%

Black or African American 14.00%

Hispanic or Latino 19.00%

White 57.00%

Gender

female 47.00%

male 53.00%

Age - 44

Stress level

10.0

Stress level is very high

7.1 - high

Complexity level

7.4

Complexity level is challenging

7 - challenging

Work life balance

5.0

Work life balance is fair

6.4 - fair

Key steps to become a special agent

Explore special agent education requirements

Most common special agent degrees

Bachelor's

68.3 %

Associate

13.8 %

Master's

11.1 %

Start to develop specific special agent skills

Skills	Percentages
Professional Work	73.36%
National Security	8.08%
Local Law Enforcement	5.05%
Search Warrants	2.12%
Law Enforcement Agencies	1.64%

Complete relevant special agent training and internships

Accountants spend an average of 6-12 months on post-employment, on-the-job training. New special agents learn the skills and techniques required for their job and employer during this time. The chart below shows how long it takes to gain competency as a special agent based on U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics data and data from real special agent resumes.

Gain additional special agent certifications

Special agent certifications can show employers you have a baseline of knowledge expected for the position. Certifications can also make you a more competitive candidate. Even if employers don't require a specific special agent certification, having one may help you stand out relative to other applicants.

The most common certifications for special agents include Certified Fraud Examiner (CFE) and Certified Criminal Investigator.

More About Certifications

Research special agent duties and responsibilities

Manage a team of field supervisors on a project to modernize and improve the ATF system of office inspection.
Conduct joint planning and manage AFOSI's criminal investigations and counterintelligence operations in northern Italy.
Follow up on tips receive from a variety of sources, including patrol officers, community members, and confidential informants.
Conduct detailed and precise SIU investigations involving insurance fraud.

Prepare your special agent resume

When your background is strong enough, you can start writing your special agent resume.

You can use Zippia's AI resume builder to make the resume writing process easier while also making sure that you include key information that hiring managers expect to see on a special agent resume. You'll find resume tips and examples of skills, responsibilities, and summaries, all provided by Zippi, your career sidekick.

Choose from 10+ customizable special agent resume templates

Build a professional special agent resume in minutes. Browse through our resume examples to identify the best way to word your resume. Then choose from 10+ resume templates to create your special agent resume.