Customs & Border Protection Officers

Also Called: Customs and Border Protection Officer (CBPO), Customs Officer, Inspector

Associate's Degree

usually needed

Not Available
(Students Only)
Match Percentage

$45,200

Entry Salary

Bright

Job outlook

What Customs & Border Protection Officers do

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.

  • 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.
Industry Areas:

Homeland Security

Expand For Additional Details

Work Context

  • Electronic Mail
  • Contact With Others
  • Deal With External Customers
  • Indoors, Environmentally Controlled
  • Telephone

Tools

  • Radiation detectors
  • X ray radiography examination equipment
  • Handcuffs
  • Notebook computers
  • Weapon or explosives detectors and supplies

Technology

Office suite software
Corel WordPerfect Office Suite
Microsoft Office
Data base user interface and query software
Automated Manifest System AMS
National Crime Information Center NCIC database
Spreadsheet software
Microsoft Excel

The Education & Training You Need

Skills

  • Active Listening
  • Critical Thinking
  • Speaking
  • Reading Comprehension
  • Social Perceptiveness

Knowledge

Safety and Government
law and government
public safety and security
Arts and Humanities
English language
foreign language
Business
customer service
administrative services
Math and Science
psychology

Education

  • 39% High school diploma or equivalent
  • 27% Bachelor's degree
  • 14% Some college, no degree

Experience

Previous work-related skill, knowledge, or experience is required for these occupations. For example, an electrician must have completed three or four years of apprenticeship or several years of vocational training, and often must have passed a licensing exam, in order to perform the job.

What are some related occupations at different educational levels?


Job Training Match

Security Guards

Educational Level

High School Diploma or Equivalent

 Job Training Match

Legal Secretaries & Administrative Assistants

Educational Level

Post-secondary, non-degree

 Job Training Match

Customs & Border Protection Officers Currently Selected

Educational Level

Associate's Degree

 Job Training Match

Transit & Railroad Police

Educational Level

Bachelor's Degree

Chief Executives

Educational Level

Advanced Degree

What are your training options on the pathway to this occupation?

Advanced Training

There are currently no advanced training opportunities for this career.

ACT & College

  • American University

    Washington, DC

  • Appalachian School of Law

    Grundy, VA

Apprenticeships

Earn while you learn. Apprenticeships combines paid training & specialized classes to help workers enter highly skilled occupations. Click here for to locate an apprenticeship near you.

Military

The Military offers exciting career opportunities that align with your interests. Click here to explore military careers and find a recruiter near you.

Are You a Good Fit?

Occupation Traits

Work Styles

  • Integrity
  • Self Control
  • Dependability
  • Stress Tolerance
  • Adaptability/Flexibility
  • Attention to Detail

Values

  • Support
  • Working Conditions
  • Independence

Abilities

  • Verbal
  • Ideas and Logic
  • Attention
  • Visual Understanding

This is what Customs & Border Protection Officers across the country typically make.

$21.73 / hour
$45,200 /year

Entry Level

$34.75 / hour
$72,280 /year

Median Level

$53.70 / hour
$111,700 /year

Experienced Level

Income information reflects a regional average.
Income information reflects a national average.

This career’s National Job Outlook is

Bright

Please be sure to verify the outlook of this occupation with your instructor.

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