Special agent demographics and statistics in the US
Special agent demographics research summary. Zippia estimates special agent demographics and statistics in the United States by using a database of 30 million profiles. Our special agent estimates are verified against BLS, Census, and current job openings data for accuracy. Zippia's data science team found the following key facts about special agents after extensive research and analysis:
- There are over 10,027 special agents currently employed in the United States.
- 16.9% of all special agents are women, while 83.1% are men.
- The average special agent age is 44 years old.
- The most common ethnicity of special agents is White (63.0%), followed by Hispanic or Latino (16.8%), Black or African American (11.8%) and Unknown (5.0%).
- Special agents are most in-demand in Boston, MA.
- Washington, DC pays an annual average wage of $76,727, the highest in the US.
- In 2022, women special agents earned 91% of what men earned.
- Montana is the best state for special agents to live.
- Special agents are 55% more likely to work at government companies in comparison to private companies.
On this page
Special agent demographics by:
Special agent gender statistics
16.9% of special agents are women and 83.1% of special agents are men.
- Male, 83.1%
- Female, 16.9%
Special agent gender ratio
| Gender | Percentages |
|---|---|
| Male | 83.1% |
| Female | 16.9% |
Special agent gender pay gap
Women earn 91¢ for every $1 earned by men
Male income
$61,731
Female income
$56,324
Special agent gender ratio over time
This data breaks down the percentage of men and women in special agent positions over time. Currently, 16.9% of special agents are female.
Special agent gender ratio by year
| Year | Male | Female |
|---|---|---|
| 2010 | 84.36% | 15.64% |
| 2011 | 84.80% | 15.20% |
| 2012 | 82.14% | 17.86% |
| 2013 | 82.14% | 17.86% |
| 2014 | 83.58% | 16.42% |
| 2015 | 81.73% | 18.27% |
| 2016 | 82.81% | 17.19% |
| 2017 | 80.30% | 19.70% |
| 2018 | 81.97% | 18.03% |
| 2019 | 82.91% | 17.09% |
| 2020 | 81.70% | 18.30% |
| 2021 | 83.09% | 16.91% |
Special agent related jobs gender ratio
We compared special agents with similar job titles to see how gender ratios vary. As you can see, deputy sheriff-k9 handler and fugitive investigator have the biggest gender ratio gaps.
| Job title | Male | Female |
|---|---|---|
| Matron | 8% | 92% |
| Deputy Treasurer | 19% | 81% |
| Unemployment Examiner | 29% | 71% |
| Special Agent | 83% | 17% |
| Town Marshal | 96% | 4% |
| Fugitive Investigator | 97% | 3% |
| Deputy Sheriff-K9 Handler | 98% | 2% |
Male
Female
100%
75%
50%
25%
0%
0%
25%
50%
75%
100%
Special agent demographics by race
The most common ethnicity among special agents is White, which makes up 63.0% of all special agents. Comparatively, 16.8% of special agents are Hispanic or Latino and 11.8% of special agents are Black or African American.
- White, 63.0%
- Hispanic or Latino, 16.8%
- Black or African American, 11.8%
- Unknown, 5.0%
- Asian, 2.8%
- American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.6%
Special agent race
| Special agent race | Percentages |
|---|---|
| White | 63.0% |
| Hispanic or Latino | 16.8% |
| Black or African American | 11.8% |
| Unknown | 5.0% |
| Asian | 2.8% |
| American Indian and Alaska Native | 0.6% |
Special agent race and ethnicity over time
See how special agent racial and ethnic diversity trended since 2010 according to the United States Census Bureau data.
Special agent race and ethnicity by year
| Year | White | Black or African American | Asian | Hispanic or Latino |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2010 | 68.23% | 11.39% | 2.60% | 15.19% |
| 2011 | 66.53% | 13.62% | 1.97% | 14.61% |
| 2012 | 66.16% | 12.46% | 3.02% | 15.56% |
| 2013 | 65.43% | 13.21% | 1.96% | 17.16% |
| 2014 | 68.77% | 11.53% | 1.78% | 15.58% |
| 2015 | 66.88% | 10.69% | 2.75% | 16.71% |
| 2016 | 66.04% | 11.39% | 3.06% | 16.74% |
| 2017 | 65.98% | 11.96% | 2.80% | 16.89% |
| 2018 | 64.73% | 12.31% | 2.95% | 16.52% |
| 2019 | 66.21% | 10.19% | 2.49% | 18.11% |
| 2020 | 62.33% | 11.43% | 3.00% | 18.80% |
| 2021 | 62.99% | 11.77% | 2.82% | 16.76% |
Special agent wage gap by race
According to our data, asian special agents have the highest average salary compared to other ethnicities. Unknown special agents have the lowest average salary at $58,583.
| Ethnicity | Salary |
|---|---|
| Unknown | $58,583 |
| White | $61,512 |
| Black or African American | $59,225 |
| Asian | $65,644 |
| Hispanic or Latino | $63,985 |
Average special agent age
See how the average age of special agents varies based on ethnicity and gender.
Male
Female
Special agent age by race and gender
| Race | Male age | Female age |
|---|---|---|
| Unknown | 41 | 46.5 |
| White | 44 | 46 |
| Black or African American | 49 | 50 |
| Asian | 48.5 | |
| Hispanic or Latino | 43 | 40 |
Special agent age breakdown
The average age of special agents is 40+ years years old, representing 69% of the special agent population.
Special agent age breakdown
| Special Agent Years | Percentages |
|---|---|
| 40+ years | 69% |
| 30-40 years | 27% |
| 20-30 years | 4% |
Special agent educational attainment
The most common degree for special agents is bachelor's degree, with 68% of special agents earning that degree. The second and third most common degree levels are associate degree degree at 14% and associate degree degree at 11%.
- Bachelor's, 68%
- Associate, 14%
- Master's, 11%
- Doctorate, 3%
- Other Degrees, 4%
Special agents by degree level
| Special agent degree | Percentages |
|---|---|
| Bachelor's | 68% |
| Associate | 14% |
| Master's | 11% |
| Doctorate | 3% |
| Other Degrees | 4% |
Special agent jobs you might like
Special agent wage gap by degree level
According to the data, special agents with a Master's degree earn more than those without, at $68,393 annually. With a Bachelor's degree, special agents earn a median annual income of $66,007 compared to $57,616 for special agents with an Associate degree.
| Education | Salary |
|---|---|
| Master's Degree | $68,393 |
| High School Diploma or Less | $54,284 |
| Bachelor's Degree | $66,007 |
| Some College/ Associate Degree | $57,616 |
Special agent employment statistics
Most special agents work for a government in the government industry.
Company size where special agents work
Below, you can see the size of companies where special agents work.
Special agent jobs by employer size
| Company size | Percentages |
|---|---|
| < 50 employees | 5% |
| 50 - 100 employees | 13% |
| 100 - 500 employees | 23% |
| 500 - 1,000 employees | 3% |
| 1,000 - 10,000 employees | 27% |
| > 10,000 employees | 29% |
Special agent jobs by company type
Employees with the special agent job title have their preferences when it comes to working for a company. For instance, most special agents prefer to work at government companies over private companies.
Special agent jobs by sector
| Company type | Percentages |
|---|---|
| Education | 2% |
| Public | 14% |
| Private | 29% |
| Government | 55% |
Special agent jobs by industry
The most common industries for special agents are government, transportation and finance.
Special agent industry statistics
| Industry | Percentages |
|---|---|
| Government | 48% |
| Transportation | 7% |
| Finance | 6% |
| Fortune 500 | 6% |
| Professional | 5% |
| Hospitality | 4% |
| Manufacturing | 3% |
| Media | 3% |
| Non Profits | 3% |
| Technology | 3% |
| Start-up | 2% |
| Retail | 2% |
| Education | 2% |
| Utilities | 1% |
| Health Care | 1% |
| Construction | 1% |
| Real Estate | 1% |
| Insurance | 1% |
| Telecommunication | 1% |
Special agent turnover and employment statistics
Special agent unemployment rate over time
The unemployment rate for special agents between 2008 and the most recent data has varied, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics.
Special agent unemployment rate by year
| Year | Special agent unemployment rate |
|---|---|
| 2010 | 1.65% |
| 2011 | 2.50% |
| 2012 | 2.26% |
| 2013 | 2.05% |
| 2014 | 1.64% |
| 2015 | 1.40% |
| 2016 | 1.43% |
| 2017 | 1.22% |
| 2018 | 1.60% |
| 2019 | 1.17% |
| 2020 | 1.05% |
| 2021 | 1.42% |
Average special agent tenure
The average special agent stays at their job for 1-2 years, based on the 7,317 special agents resumes in Zippia's database.
Special agent tenure statistics
| Number of years | Percentages |
|---|---|
| Less than 1 year | 7% |
| 1-2 years | 26% |
| 3-4 years | 18% |
| 5-7 years | 17% |
| 8-10 years | 7% |
| 11+ years | 24% |
Special agent LGBT ratio compared to similar jobs
Review the percent of special agents that are members of the LGBT community. You can see how this compares to similar jobs in the chart below.
| Job title | LGBT | Job openings |
|---|---|---|
| Matron | 5.55% | 631 |
| Track Patrol | 7.15% | 21,579 |
| Special Agent | 8.65% | - |
| Court Bailiff | 11.11% | 762 |
Similar special agent jobs LGBT demographics
| Profession | Percentages of LGBT | Job openings |
|---|---|---|
| Matron | 5.55% | 631 |
| Track Patrol | 7.15% | 21,579 |
| Court Bailiff | 11.11% | 762 |
Foreign languages spoken by special agents
The most common foreign language among special agents is Spanish at 57.9%. The second-most popular foreign language spoken is French at 10.0% and German is the third-most popular at 5.8%.
- Spanish, 57.9%
- French, 10.0%
- German, 5.8%
- Arabic, 5.8%
- Italian, 4.2%
- Other, 16.3%
Special agent languages spoken
| Foreign language | Percentages |
|---|---|
| Spanish | 57.9% |
| French | 10.0% |
| German | 5.8% |
| Arabic | 5.8% |
| Italian | 4.2% |
| Other | 16.3% |
