When you see a recruiter or a job post talking about working for U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement, they usually lead with the high-octane stuff. The gear. The mission. The "protection of the homeland." But if you’re actually looking at this as a career, you’re probably asking the one question that determines whether you can actually afford to take the job: how much does ICE pay in reality?
It’s complicated. Federal pay isn't like a corporate salary where you negotiate a flat rate and call it a day. It’s a jigsaw puzzle of base pay, locality adjustments, and Law Enforcement Availability Pay (LEAP) that can swing your take-home pay by $30,000 or more depending on where you're standing and what's on your badge.
The 2026 Reality of Federal Pay Scales
Honestly, the timing for this question is pretty specific right now. As of January 11, 2026, the federal pay landscape shifted. Under the latest adjustments, most federal civilian employees saw a 1% base increase. However, if you’re looking at the law enforcement side of the house—the agents and investigators—the Office of Personnel Management (OPM) approved special salary rates.
We're talking about a total increase of roughly 3.8% for many ICE law enforcement personnel this year. This was a move specifically designed to help with retention in "mission-critical" roles.
So, what does that look like in dollars?
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If you're coming in as an entry-level Deportation Officer, you're likely looking at the GL-5 to GL-7 range. A current listing for these roles shows a starting base salary around $51,632 to $84,277. But don't get too attached to those numbers. They are "base" figures, and nobody in ICE really makes just the base.
Breaking Down the Special Agent (HSI) Pay
Special Agents within Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) are the high earners of the agency. They don't just get a salary; they get a lifestyle subsidy. Because they are expected to be available for unscheduled overtime—think late-night surveillance or sudden raids—they receive LEAP pay.
LEAP is an additional 25% on top of your base and locality pay.
Let's do some quick math. If an agent is at a GS-13 level in a high-cost area like San Francisco or New York, their base might be around $110,000. Add in a 30% locality adjustment, and you’re at $143,000. Now tack on that 25% LEAP. Suddenly, that agent is clearing **$178,750** before we even talk about traditional overtime or bonuses.
It’s a massive jump. But the catch? You’re basically on call forever.
Why the Location on Your Orders Changes Everything
You could do the exact same job in El Paso and San Francisco and have a completely different lifestyle. This is because of locality pay.
In 2026, the "Rest of U.S." (RUS) pay scale is the floor. But if you’re stationed in a high-cost hub, your "adjustment" can be significant. According to recent 2026 data from ZipRecruiter and federal announcements:
- Barrow, AK: Salaries can hit an average of $78,113 for general agent roles due to the extreme cost of living and isolation.
- San Francisco, CA: Average pay for law enforcement roles often clears $104,000 for mid-level staff.
- Massachusetts: The state average for "DHS ICE" roles is hovering around $84,429 this year.
The "Rest of U.S." GS-5 Step 1 starts around $50,241 for law enforcement in 2026. If you're in a rural area with a low cost of living, that's a solid middle-class life. In San Diego? You might be looking for roommates.
The "Other" ICE Jobs: Enforcement and Removal Operations (ERO)
Not everyone in ICE is a Special Agent chasing international smugglers. A huge portion of the workforce belongs to Enforcement and Removal Operations (ERO). These are the folks managing detention, processing, and removals.
The pay here is generally lower than HSI agents.
An Enforcement and Removal Assistant (the OA or "Office Automation" track) might start at a GS-5 or GS-6. In early 2026, these roles in places like Glenwood Springs, CO, or Dalton, GA, were advertised with a range of $34,799 to $50,428.
It’s important to realize these aren't "bad" jobs, but they don't carry the "Agent" premium. You aren't getting the LEAP pay. You're getting a standard federal 40-hour-week salary with traditional overtime.
Hidden Perks and The "Gold-Plated" Pension
When people ask "how much does ICE pay," they usually forget the benefits, which are frankly better than almost anything in the private sector.
- The TSP Match: The government matches up to 5% of your Thrift Savings Plan (the federal 401k).
- Early Retirement: Law enforcement officers (LEOs) under the FERS system can retire at 50 with 20 years of service. Most people in the private sector are working until 65 or 70.
- The FERS Annuity: You get a defined benefit pension. For LEOs, this is calculated at a higher rate—1.7% of your "high-3" average salary for each of those first 20 years.
If you retire as a GS-14 after 25 years, your pension alone could be $60,000 to $75,000 a year for the rest of your life, plus your social security and whatever you saved in your TSP. That’s "pay" that doesn't show up on your bi-weekly stub.
The Reality Check: The Training Gap
You don't get the big bucks on day one. During your time at the Federal Law Enforcement Training Centers (FLETC) in Glynco, Georgia, you receive your base pay.
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Training is free. They feed you. They house you. But you're expected to have your personal finances in order before you arrive. You won't be earning LEAP or locality adjustments while you’re in the academy bubble.
How to Maximize Your Earnings in ICE
If you want to reach the top of the pay scale, which for a GS-15 can hit the statutory cap of $197,200 in 2026, you need a plan.
- Education Matters: Starting at GS-7 or GS-9 usually requires a Master’s degree or superior academic achievement in a Bachelor’s program. Starting higher means you hit the "Step 10" max much faster.
- The "Special Rate" Hunt: Look for "Special Rate" job series. These are often in tech-heavy roles or specific geographic areas where the government is struggling to compete with private companies.
- Supervisory Tracks: A Supervisory Detention and Deportation Officer (GS-14) can see a range of $129,258 to $192,275.
The job is demanding. It’s controversial. It involves long hours and, often, significant travel—frequently listed as "25% or less," though many agents say that's an understatement.
But when you add up the special 3.8% law enforcement raises of 2026, the 25% LEAP, and the locality adjustments, the answer to "how much does ICE pay" is: more than you think, but you'll earn every penny of it.
Your Next Steps
- Check the Locality: Go to the OPM 2026 Pay Tables and look up the specific city where you want to work. The "Base" pay is a lie; the "Locality" table is your real world.
- Determine Your Series: Are you applying for 1811 (Criminal Investigator) or 1801 (Deportation Officer)? The 1811 series is where the LEAP pay lives.
- Review the Medical: ICE pay is high because the requirements are strict. You’ll need a background investigation for Secret clearance, a medical exam, and likely a polygraph.
The money is there, but the barrier to entry is high. If you can clear the hurdles, you’re looking at one of the most stable, high-paying paths in federal service.