Customs and Border Protection Officers

Overview

Customs and Border Protection Officers has a national median salary of $76,210 per year, with +3.5% projected job growth from 2025–2035. The Bureau of Labor Statistics lists a high school diploma or equivalent as the typical education needed to enter this occupation.

Description

Investigate and inspect persons, common carriers, goods, and merchandise, arriving in or departing from the United States or between states to detect violations of immigration and customs laws and regulations.

Work Values

• Support
• Working Conditions
• Independence

Work Styles

Responsibilities

Tasks

• Examine immigration applications, visas, and passports and interview persons to determine eligibility for admission, residence, and travel in the U.S.
• Detain persons found to be in violation of customs or immigration laws and arrange for legal action, such as deportation.
• Inspect cargo, baggage, and personal articles entering or leaving U.S. for compliance with revenue laws and U.S. customs regulations.
• Locate and seize contraband, undeclared merchandise, and vehicles, aircraft, or boats that contain such merchandise.
• Interpret and explain laws and regulations to travelers, prospective immigrants, shippers, and manufacturers.

Work Activities

• Getting Information
• Working with Computers
• Identifying Objects, Actions, and Events
• Communicating with Supervisors, Peers, or Subordinates
• Evaluating Information to Determine Compliance with Standards
• Making Decisions and Solving Problems
• Performing for or Working Directly with the Public
• Processing Information
• Analyzing Data or Information
• Documenting/Recording Information

Detailed Work Activities

• Observing, receiving, and otherwise obtaining information from all relevant sources.
• Using computers and computer systems (including hardware and software) to program, write software, set up functions, enter data, or process information.
• Identifying information by categorizing, estimating, recognizing differences or similarities, and detecting changes in circumstances or events.
• Providing information to supervisors, co-workers, and subordinates by telephone, in written form, e-mail, or in person.
• Using relevant information and individual judgment to determine whether events or processes comply with laws, regulations, or standards.
• Analyzing information and evaluating results to choose the best solution and solve problems.
• Performing for people or dealing directly with the public. This includes serving customers in restaurants and stores, and receiving clients or guests.
• Compiling, coding, categorizing, calculating, tabulating, auditing, or verifying information or data.
• Identifying the underlying principles, reasons, or facts of information by breaking down information or data into separate parts.
• Entering, transcribing, recording, storing, or maintaining information in written or electronic/magnetic form.

T-A-S-K

Technology, Abilities, Skills & Knowledge

Education

Education Levels of Current Workers

The Bureau of Labor Statistics lists a high school diploma or equivalent as the typical education needed to enter this occupation. The chart below shows the highest level of education held by people already working in this field, ages 25 and older. It includes workers who earned more education than the job requires and workers who entered the field under earlier requirements, so the largest bar is not the entry requirement. For example, if someone finished a bachelor's degree and then started working in this field, they are counted under “Bachelor's degree” here, but the job itself typically asks for a high school diploma or equivalent.

Certificates

Certifications applicable to Customs and Border Protection Officers:

Video Resources