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Best states for a special agent
Quoted expert
Jodi Gill
- Rank 1 - 10
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Job opportunities vary from state to state, and protective service careers are no different. Because we know how difficult it can be to know which states are the best when it comes to special agent jobs, we decided to crunch some numbers to bring you the best states for special agents.In fact, our research shows that Montana is the best state for special agents in America. The best city in America for special agents with the highest pay is Washington, DC.
In order to get you the best states for special agents, we looked at our data on jobs and wages -- specifically the average annual wage and the number of available jobs per capita.If you are currently seeking employment as a special agent, you can find open job positions using Zippia's search tools.
10 best states for special agents in 2026
1. Montana
Total special agent jobs: 272 Average annual salary: $71,729 Lowest 10 percent earn: $61,000 Highest 10 percent earn: $83,000 Location Quotient: 1.63
2. South Dakota
Total special agent jobs: 153 Average annual salary: $71,349 Lowest 10 percent earn: $56,000 Highest 10 percent earn: $90,000 Location Quotient: 0.99
3. New Hampshire
Total special agent jobs: 322 Average annual salary: $62,763 Lowest 10 percent earn: $46,000 Highest 10 percent earn: $85,000 Location Quotient: 1.28
4. Maryland
Total special agent jobs: 884 Average annual salary: $72,198 Lowest 10 percent earn: $52,000 Highest 10 percent earn: $100,000 Location Quotient: 0.97
5. Arizona
Total special agent jobs: 1,397 Average annual salary: $61,690 Lowest 10 percent earn: $45,000 Highest 10 percent earn: $83,000 Location Quotient: 1.65
6. Rhode Island
Total special agent jobs: 211 Average annual salary: $62,737 Lowest 10 percent earn: $45,000 Highest 10 percent earn: $86,000 Location Quotient: 1.2
7. Louisiana
Total special agent jobs: 178 Average annual salary: $71,690 Lowest 10 percent earn: $52,000 Highest 10 percent earn: $96,000 Location Quotient: 0.39
8. North Dakota
Total special agent jobs: 145 Average annual salary: $65,329 Lowest 10 percent earn: $54,000 Highest 10 percent earn: $78,000 Location Quotient: 1.08
9. Michigan
Total special agent jobs: 1,360 Average annual salary: $61,397 Lowest 10 percent earn: $45,000 Highest 10 percent earn: $82,000 Location Quotient: 1.22
10. Delaware
Total special agent jobs: 249 Average annual salary: $62,613 Lowest 10 percent earn: $45,000 Highest 10 percent earn: $86,000 Location Quotient: 1.38
Special agent jobsNear Columbus, OH
How Zippia determines the best states to be a special agent
You can read about how the best state rankings are calculated here.
Detailed list of the best states for a special agent
| Rank | State | Average salary | Lowest 10% earn | Population | Job count |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Montana | $71,729 | $61,000 | 1,050,493 | 272 |
| 2 | South Dakota | $71,349 | $56,000 | 869,666 | 153 |
| 3 | New Hampshire | $62,763 | $46,000 | 1,342,795 | 322 |
| 4 | Maryland | $72,198 | $52,000 | 6,052,177 | 884 |
| 5 | Arizona | $61,690 | $45,000 | 7,016,270 | 1,397 |
| 6 | Rhode Island | $62,737 | $45,000 | 1,059,639 | 211 |
| 7 | Louisiana | $71,690 | $52,000 | 4,684,333 | 178 |
| 8 | North Dakota | $65,329 | $54,000 | 755,393 | 145 |
| 9 | Michigan | $61,397 | $45,000 | 9,962,311 | 1,360 |
| 10 | Delaware | $62,613 | $45,000 | 961,939 | 249 |
| 11 | West Virginia | $66,161 | $48,000 | 1,815,857 | 172 |
| 12 | Maine | $64,805 | $48,000 | 1,335,907 | 173 |
| 13 | Colorado | $64,849 | $49,000 | 5,607,154 | 986 |
| 14 | Hawaii | $73,307 | $64,000 | 1,427,538 | 146 |
| 15 | District of Columbia | $76,632 | $55,000 | 693,972 | 200 |
| 16 | Oregon | $63,730 | $52,000 | 4,142,776 | 732 |
| 17 | Texas | $62,710 | $46,000 | 28,304,596 | 2,857 |
| 18 | Nevada | $59,763 | $44,000 | 2,998,039 | 390 |
| 19 | Illinois | $63,148 | $46,000 | 12,802,023 | 1,744 |
| 20 | Alaska | $72,334 | $67,000 | 739,795 | 81 |
| 21 | Connecticut | $63,212 | $45,000 | 3,588,184 | 549 |
| 22 | Pennsylvania | $60,091 | $43,000 | 12,805,537 | 1,891 |
| 23 | New Jersey | $66,135 | $47,000 | 9,005,644 | 1,068 |
| 24 | New York | $65,289 | $47,000 | 19,849,399 | 1,867 |
| 25 | California | $68,464 | $50,000 | 39,536,653 | 3,932 |
| 26 | Virginia | $65,537 | $47,000 | 8,470,020 | 1,058 |
| 27 | Ohio | $58,581 | $42,000 | 11,658,609 | 1,643 |
| 28 | Vermont | $59,446 | $44,000 | 623,657 | 158 |
| 29 | Massachusetts | $63,775 | $46,000 | 6,859,819 | 1,281 |
| 30 | Missouri | $58,968 | $43,000 | 6,113,532 | 1,070 |
| 31 | Wisconsin | $60,932 | $45,000 | 5,795,483 | 694 |
| 32 | Minnesota | $62,183 | $48,000 | 5,576,606 | 793 |
| 33 | Nebraska | $56,916 | $43,000 | 1,920,076 | 407 |
| 34 | Kansas | $59,294 | $44,000 | 2,913,123 | 391 |
| 35 | New Mexico | $57,939 | $43,000 | 2,088,070 | 326 |
| 36 | Washington | $64,485 | $54,000 | 7,405,743 | 940 |
| 37 | Idaho | $55,995 | $45,000 | 1,716,943 | 272 |
| 38 | Iowa | $58,247 | $43,000 | 3,145,711 | 155 |
| 39 | Utah | $53,918 | $41,000 | 3,101,833 | 558 |
| 40 | Wyoming | $49,276 | $39,000 | 579,315 | 144 |
| 41 | Tennessee | $52,701 | $38,000 | 6,715,984 | 901 |
| 42 | Mississippi | $49,670 | $36,000 | 2,984,100 | 420 |
| 43 | Alabama | $51,809 | $38,000 | 4,874,747 | 659 |
| 44 | Oklahoma | $51,763 | $38,000 | 3,930,864 | 461 |
| 45 | Kentucky | $49,905 | $36,000 | 4,454,189 | 565 |
| 46 | Arkansas | $48,868 | $36,000 | 3,004,279 | 409 |
| 47 | Florida | $50,259 | $37,000 | 20,984,400 | 2,258 |
| 48 | Georgia | $50,976 | $37,000 | 10,429,379 | 1,372 |
| 49 | South Carolina | $42,978 | $31,000 | 5,024,369 | 688 |
| 50 | North Carolina | $51,167 | $36,000 | 10,273,419 | 854 |
| 51 | Indiana | $45,130 | $33,000 | 6,666,818 | 772 |
Highest paying states for special agents
| Rank | State | Avg. Special Agent Salary |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Montana | $71,729 |
| 2 | South Dakota | $71,349 |
| 3 | New Hampshire | $62,763 |
| 4 | Maryland | $72,198 |
| 5 | Arizona | $61,690 |
| 6 | Rhode Island | $62,737 |
| 7 | Louisiana | $71,690 |
| 8 | North Dakota | $65,329 |
| 9 | Michigan | $61,397 |
| 10 | Delaware | $62,613 |
| 11 | West Virginia | $66,161 |
| 12 | Maine | $64,805 |
| 13 | Colorado | $64,849 |
| 14 | Hawaii | $73,307 |
| 15 | District of Columbia | $76,632 |
| 16 | Oregon | $63,730 |
| 17 | Texas | $62,710 |
| 18 | Nevada | $59,763 |
| 19 | Illinois | $63,148 |
| 20 | Alaska | $72,334 |
| 21 | Connecticut | $63,212 |
| 22 | Pennsylvania | $60,091 |
| 23 | New Jersey | $66,135 |
| 24 | New York | $65,289 |
| 25 | California | $68,464 |
| 26 | Virginia | $65,537 |
| 27 | Ohio | $58,581 |
| 28 | Vermont | $59,446 |
| 29 | Massachusetts | $63,775 |
| 30 | Missouri | $58,968 |
| 31 | Wisconsin | $60,932 |
| 32 | Minnesota | $62,183 |
| 33 | Nebraska | $56,916 |
| 34 | Kansas | $59,294 |
| 35 | New Mexico | $57,939 |
| 36 | Washington | $64,485 |
| 37 | Idaho | $55,995 |
| 38 | Iowa | $58,247 |
| 39 | Utah | $53,918 |
| 40 | Wyoming | $49,276 |
| 41 | Tennessee | $52,701 |
| 42 | Mississippi | $49,670 |
| 43 | Alabama | $51,809 |
| 44 | Oklahoma | $51,763 |
| 45 | Kentucky | $49,905 |
| 46 | Arkansas | $48,868 |
| 47 | Florida | $50,259 |
| 48 | Georgia | $50,976 |
| 49 | South Carolina | $42,978 |
| 50 | North Carolina | $51,167 |
| 51 | Indiana | $45,130 |
Expert opinions on the best states for special agents
Are there any particularly good places in the United States for special agents to find work opportunities?
Jodi Gill
Internship Coordinator, Pennsylvania State University - Beaver
Our field is not dependent on geography, and there are needs everywhere! Right now, it is an exciting time as governments are exploring additional ways to address issues beyond law enforcement. For example, restorative justice, mediation, and other community-related programs can proactively prevent crime before it happens. A degree in criminal justice can prepare graduates to contribute to these initiatives in significant ways successfully.
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Updated January 8, 2025