FBI Agent Salary in 2026
Investigate federal crimes including terrorism, cybercrime, organized crime, and public corruption.
Median Salary
$93,790
$7,816/mo
Entry Level
$64,200
starting pay
Senior Level
$130,300
experienced
Job Growth
+5%
10-yr outlook
BLS OEWS May 2025 · official national figures
BLS reports Detectives and Criminal Investigators (SOC 33-3021, the closest published occupation to FBI Agent) at a national median of $93,790 per year (mean $99,430), or $45.09 per hour, with 114,430 people employed nationwide. The median above is this BLS figure; the entry, senior and top tiers are Salario estimates calibrated to it. Source: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025 release.
FBI Agent Overview
Investigate federal crimes including terrorism, cybercrime, organized crime, and public corruption.
Education
Bachelor's Degree
Experience
3-5 years
Industry
Government
Total Jobs (US)
114K
5-Year Growth
+10%
Category
Government
Hourly Rate
$45.09/hr
Monthly Pay
$7,816
FBI Agent Salary Calculator
Adjust your state and experience level to see the estimated FBI Agent salary in your area.
Mid Career (5-9 yrs)
Estimated FBI Agent Salary
$108,000
$9,000/month · $4,154/biweekly · $51.92/hr
FBI Agent Salary Range
Salary distribution from entry-level to top earners in the FBI Agent field.
Entry-level FBI Agents earn around $64,200, while the top 10% earn $144,150 or more.
Top Paying States for FBI Agents
| State | Est. Median Salary | vs National |
|---|---|---|
| California | $111,000 | +$17,210 |
| New York | $108,000 | +$14,210 |
| Virginia | $99,000 | +$5,210 |
| Illinois | $98,000 | +$4,210 |
| Texas | $92,000 | $-1,790 |
Top Paying Cities for FBI Agents
| City | Est. Median Salary | vs National |
|---|---|---|
| New York | $111,000 | +$17,210 |
| Washington DC | $108,000 | +$14,210 |
| Los Angeles | $105,000 | +$11,210 |
| Chicago | $98,000 | +$4,210 |
| Houston | $93,000 | $-790 |
City figures are Salario estimates that scale the national median by a city cost-of-labor multiplier; BLS does not publish a metro-level series for this title.
Required Skills & Certifications
Key Skills
Certifications
FBI Agent Career Progression
Typical salary growth path for a FBI Agent from entry level to expert.
$64,200
0-2 years
$97,000
3-7 years
$130,300
8-14 years
$158,000
15+ years
Related Government Jobs
FBI Agent Salary FAQ
How much does a FBI Agent make in 2026?
The median salary for a FBI Agent in the United States is $93,790 per year, the BLS OEWS May 2025 national median for Detectives and Criminal Investigators (SOC 33-3021); the mean is $99,430. Salario's calibrated tiers put entry-level positions around $64,200, senior professionals around $130,300, and top earners at $158,000 or more annually.
What education is needed to become a FBI Agent?
A FBI Agent typically requires a Bachelor's Degree with 3-5 years of experience. Key skills include Investigation, Firearms, Law. Relevant certifications such as FBI Academy Training can boost earning potential and career advancement.
What is the job outlook for FBI Agents?
The job market for FBI Agents is projected to grow by 5% over the next decade. There are currently approximately 114K FBI Agent positions in the US. Salary growth over the past 5 years has been approximately 10%, reflecting moderate demand for this role.
Which states pay FBI Agents the most?
The highest-paying states for FBI Agents include Virginia, New York, California. In Virginia, the median salary is approximately $99,000. However, cost of living varies significantly, so adjusted purchasing power should be considered when comparing salaries across states.
How can I increase my FBI Agent salary?
To increase your FBI Agent salary, focus on gaining expertise in high-demand skills like Investigation and Firearms. Pursue certifications such as FBI Academy Training. Consider relocating to higher-paying markets like Washington DC. With 3-5 years of experience, you can progress from $64,200 to $130,300 or more.
Methodology & Data Sources: FBI Agent Salary
How we calculate FBI Agent salary data: The national median is the official BLS OEWS May 2025 annual median wage for Detectives and Criminal Investigators (SOC 33-3021), retrieved from the BLS Public Data API. The entry, senior and top tiers are a Salario model: the shape of the distribution is Salario's, rescaled so that its median equals the BLS median. State and most city figures are Salario estimates that apply cost-of-labor multipliers to that median.
- National median salary: $93,790, BLS OEWS May 2025 annual median for Detectives and Criminal Investigators; BLS mean $99,430; BLS hourly median $45.09.
- Entry-level ($64,200) and senior-level ($130,300) are Salario tiers calibrated to the BLS median; they are not BLS percentiles. BLS publishes P10/P25/P75/P90 wages for this occupation in its OEWS tables.
- Job outlook: +5% projected growth is Salario's outlook figure; compare with the BLS Employment Projections program. BLS OEWS May 2025 counts 114,430 Detectives and Criminal Investigators jobs nationwide.
- 5-year salary growth: 10% is a Salario estimate of past 5-year wage growth for the Government sector, informed by the BLS Employment Cost Index.
- Education requirement: Bachelor's Degree, per BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook entry for this occupation.
- State and city estimates apply Salario cost-of-labor multipliers to the national median of $93,790; city rows marked "BLS metro" are real OEWS metropolitan-area medians instead.
Authoritative US data sources for FBI Agent compensation:
- BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), national and metro-area salary data
- BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook, FBI Agent job projections, education, and career outlook
- BLS Employment Projections, 10-year occupation growth and decline data
- BLS Employment Cost Index, quarterly compensation trend data for Government
- BLS Consumer Price Index (CPI-U), regional inflation for cost-of-living wage adjustments
- IRS Revenue Procedure 2025-32 summary, 2026 federal tax brackets and standard deductions
Disclaimer: FBI Agent salary figures are statistical estimates for general guidance. Actual compensation depends on employer, location, negotiation, specific skills (Investigation, Firearms, Law), certifications, and industry conditions. Always verify with multiple sources including current job listings, recruiter data, and direct employer offers before making career decisions.
Reviewed by Harlan Voss · Last updated May 17, 2026 · BLS figures: OEWS May 2025 release (published May 2026), retrieved from the BLS API on September 17, 2026
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