How Much Money ICE Agents Really Make In A Year

U.S. job seekers faced a challenging job market in 2025, with many finding it difficult to secure new positions — a potential warning sign of a looming recession. But it hasn't been all doom and gloom. One employer, in particular, has been hiring aggressively: U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement, also known as ICE. In 2025, following a major influx of applications, the agency hired more than 12,000 new officers and agents, according to the Department of Homeland Security (DHS). While DHS attributed the surge of interest to an effective recruitment campaign, the advertised salary for ICE agents — which can be as high as $90,000 a year before accounting for overtime, bonuses, and benefits — has also likely been a major draw.

According to the U.S. Office of Personnel Management, the salary range for an ICE deportation officer ranges from $49,739 to $89,528 per year, and is based on a combination of experience and education. For context, roughly 30% of Americans made less than $50,000 a year in 2024, with another 15% making between $50,000 and $75,000, according to a 2025 U.S. Census Bureau report. This means that, even at the low end of ICE's pay scale, deportation officers earn more than many U.S. workers — a gap that becomes even more pronounced at the higher end of the pay range.

Depending on the location where officers are stationed, ICE agents may receive locality pay, which is a pay adjustment based on the comparable wages of non-federal employees working similar roles in the same geographic area. For instance, locality pay may look at how much money local or state police officers make in a certain region. In addition, a deportation agent is also a job that pays overtime, which, according to U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement, could amount to up to 25% of the agent's salary and locality pay for all time worked beyond a standard 40-hour workweek.

Plus, there are other financial perks that ICE agents may be eligible for. These include signing bonuses of up to $50,000, student loan repayment up to $60,000, and up to 25% in premium pay for working Sundays, holidays, and night shifts. ICE agents also receive a full range of benefits like health, dental, vision, and long-term care insurance, and may even be entitled to transportation subsidies, employee assistance programs, and health and wellness benefits. All in, the total annual compensation — including base pay, incentives, and benefits — can easily push what ICE agents make in a year well beyond the listed salary range, making it financially compelling for many job seekers.