Immigration Officer Salary Overview
The Immigration Officer is one of the most important roles in the Government & Public Service sector of the US economy in 2026. With a median annual salary of $72,400, compensation for this position ranges from $42,600 at the entry level to $117,400 for highly experienced professionals in top-paying markets.
This career typically requires Bachelor's degree (required for federal positions); Criminal Justice, International Relations, or Political Science preferred; bilingual skills (Spanish, Arabic, Mandarin) valued. Valued professional credentials include Federal Law Enforcement Training Centers (FLETC) completion, CBP/ICE academy training, firearms qualification, defensive tactics certification, immigration law training. On a day-to-day basis, professionals in this role focus on inspecting travelers and documents at ports of entry, adjudicating immigration benefit applications, conducting investigations of immigration fraud, enforcing immigration law and processing removals, interviewing applicants for citizenship and visas, conducting workplace audits (I-9 compliance), apprehending unauthorized individuals, and coordinating with other federal agencies.
The job market for this position shows 3% from 2022-2032 with demand tied to immigration policy priorities, border security funding, and visa processing backlogs requiring additional officers growth, with demand strongest in specializations including CBP Officers (ports of entry), ICE ERO (enforcement and removal), USCIS Adjudication Officers, Border Patrol Agents, HSI Special Agents, and asylum/refugee officers. AI facial recognition and document verification accelerate port-of-entry processing, but the interview skills, fraud detection judgment, discretionary decisions, and humanitarian assessments require human immigration officers
Salary Range: The typical Immigration Officer in the US earns between $42,600 and $117,400 per year, with a median of $72,400.
What Does a Immigration Officer Do?
A Immigration Officer spends their workday inspecting travelers and documents at ports of entry, adjudicating immigration benefit applications, conducting investigations of immigration fraud, enforcing immigration law and processing removals, interviewing applicants for citizenship and visas, conducting workplace audits (I-9 compliance), apprehending unauthorized individuals, and coordinating with other federal agencies. The role requires proficiency with industry-standard tools and technologies including travel document verification equipment, biometric scanners (fingerprint, facial recognition), government databases (TECS, IDENT, CLAIMS), radio communications, body-worn cameras, inspection booths, K-9 teams (detection), vehicle inspection equipment.
The typical work environment involves ports of entry (airports, land borders, seaports), immigration offices, or field operations; shift work at ports of entry; potential exposure to dangerous situations (enforcement roles); desk-based for adjudication officers; federal benefits package; structured hierarchy; relocation may be required for initial assignment. Within the profession, you can specialize in areas such as CBP Officers (ports of entry), ICE ERO (enforcement and removal), USCIS Adjudication Officers, Border Patrol Agents, HSI Special Agents, and asylum/refugee officers, each requiring different skill sets and offering different compensation levels.
Day-to-day responsibilities vary based on seniority and organization size. Entry-level professionals often focus on execution tasks under supervision, while senior professionals take on strategic planning, mentoring, and cross-functional leadership.
Immigration Officer Salary by Experience
Compensation for a Immigration Officer increases substantially with experience. Entry-level professionals (0-2 years) typically earn around $49,956, while mid-career professionals (3-6 years) reach the median of $72,400. Senior professionals (7-12 years) earn approximately $100,636, and those in lead or principal roles can expect $104,256 or more.
The typical career progression follows this path: Immigration Officer Trainee → Officer → Senior Officer → Supervisory Officer → Assistant Director → Director → Field Office Director → District Director → Senior Executive Service. Each advancement typically requires 2-4 years and demonstrating increasing scope of responsibility.
| Level | Salary | Hourly | Take-Home |
|---|---|---|---|
| Entry | $49,956 | $24/hr | $40,890 |
| Mid | $72,400 | $35/hr | $56,429 |
| Senior | $100,636 | $48/hr | $73,687 |
| Lead | $104,256 | $50/hr | $75,897 |
Immigration Officer Salary by State (After Tax)
Gross salary, federal tax, state tax, and estimated take-home pay for a Immigration Officer in each US state.
Geographic location significantly impacts Immigration Officer compensation. The top-paying states for this role include Texas (border operations), California (border and ports), Arizona (border), New York (JFK port of entry), Florida (immigration hub).
States with no income tax (Texas, Florida, Washington, Nevada, Tennessee) offer an effective pay boost of 3-9% compared to high-tax states like California or New York, though these states often compensate with higher cost of living or property taxes. When evaluating offers, consider both gross salary and after-tax take-home pay.
| State | Gross | Federal | State Tax | FICA | Take-Home | Rate |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Alabama | $72,400 | $7,542 | $3,455 | $5,539 | $55,864 | 22.8% |
| Alaska | $72,400 | $7,542 | $0 | $5,539 | $59,319 | 18.1% |
| Arizona | $72,400 | $7,542 | $1,445 | $5,539 | $57,874 | 20.1% |
| Arkansas | $72,400 | $7,542 | $2,959 | $5,539 | $56,360 | 22.2% |
| California | $72,400 | $7,542 | $2,890 | $5,539 | $56,429 | 22.1% |
| Colorado | $72,400 | $7,542 | $2,526 | $5,539 | $56,794 | 21.6% |
| Connecticut | $72,400 | $7,542 | $3,232 | $5,539 | $56,087 | 22.5% |
| Delaware | $72,400 | $7,542 | $3,547 | $5,539 | $55,772 | 23.0% |
| District of Columbia | $72,400 | $7,542 | $3,357 | $5,539 | $55,962 | 22.7% |
| Florida | $72,400 | $7,542 | $0 | $5,539 | $59,319 | 18.1% |
| Georgia | $72,400 | $7,542 | $3,316 | $5,539 | $56,003 | 22.6% |
| Hawaii | $72,400 | $7,542 | $5,045 | $5,539 | $54,274 | 25.0% |
| Idaho | $72,400 | $7,542 | $3,352 | $5,539 | $55,967 | 22.7% |
| Illinois | $72,400 | $7,542 | $3,446 | $5,539 | $55,873 | 22.8% |
| Indiana | $72,400 | $7,542 | $2,208 | $5,539 | $57,111 | 21.1% |
| Iowa | $72,400 | $7,542 | $2,751 | $5,539 | $56,568 | 21.9% |
| Kansas | $72,400 | $7,542 | $3,470 | $5,539 | $55,850 | 22.9% |
| Kentucky | $72,400 | $7,542 | $2,770 | $5,539 | $56,550 | 21.9% |
| Louisiana | $72,400 | $7,542 | $2,496 | $5,539 | $56,824 | 21.5% |
| Maine | $72,400 | $7,542 | $3,654 | $5,539 | $55,665 | 23.1% |
| Maryland | $72,400 | $7,542 | $3,265 | $5,539 | $56,054 | 22.6% |
| Massachusetts | $72,400 | $7,542 | $3,400 | $5,539 | $55,919 | 22.8% |
| Michigan | $72,400 | $7,542 | $2,839 | $5,539 | $56,480 | 22.0% |
| Minnesota | $72,400 | $7,542 | $3,473 | $5,539 | $55,847 | 22.9% |
| Mississippi | $72,400 | $7,542 | $2,825 | $5,539 | $56,495 | 22.0% |
| Missouri | $72,400 | $7,542 | $2,604 | $5,539 | $56,715 | 21.7% |
| Montana | $72,400 | $7,542 | $3,164 | $5,539 | $56,155 | 22.4% |
| Nebraska | $72,400 | $7,542 | $2,708 | $5,539 | $56,612 | 21.8% |
| Nevada | $72,400 | $7,542 | $0 | $5,539 | $59,319 | 18.1% |
| New Hampshire | $72,400 | $7,542 | $0 | $5,539 | $59,319 | 18.1% |
| New Jersey | $72,400 | $7,542 | $2,508 | $5,539 | $56,812 | 21.5% |
| New Mexico | $72,400 | $7,542 | $2,553 | $5,539 | $56,767 | 21.6% |
| New York | $72,400 | $7,542 | $3,554 | $5,539 | $55,766 | 23.0% |
| North Carolina | $72,400 | $7,542 | $2,684 | $5,539 | $56,635 | 21.8% |
| North Dakota | $72,400 | $7,542 | $1,127 | $5,539 | $58,192 | 19.6% |
| Ohio | $72,400 | $7,542 | $1,272 | $5,539 | $58,047 | 19.8% |
| Oklahoma | $72,400 | $7,542 | $2,949 | $5,539 | $56,371 | 22.1% |
| Oregon | $72,400 | $7,542 | $5,810 | $5,539 | $53,510 | 26.1% |
| Pennsylvania | $72,400 | $7,542 | $2,223 | $5,539 | $57,097 | 21.1% |
| Rhode Island | $72,400 | $7,542 | $2,319 | $5,539 | $57,000 | 21.3% |
| South Carolina | $72,400 | $7,542 | $3,006 | $5,539 | $56,313 | 22.2% |
| South Dakota | $72,400 | $7,542 | $0 | $5,539 | $59,319 | 18.1% |
| Tennessee | $72,400 | $7,542 | $0 | $5,539 | $59,319 | 18.1% |
| Texas | $72,400 | $7,542 | $0 | $5,539 | $59,319 | 18.1% |
| Utah | $72,400 | $7,542 | $3,367 | $5,539 | $55,953 | 22.7% |
| Vermont | $72,400 | $7,542 | $2,838 | $5,539 | $56,482 | 22.0% |
| Virginia | $72,400 | $7,542 | $3,647 | $5,539 | $55,673 | 23.1% |
| Washington | $72,400 | $7,542 | $0 | $5,539 | $59,319 | 18.1% |
| West Virginia | $72,400 | $7,542 | $2,818 | $5,539 | $56,501 | 22.0% |
| Wisconsin | $72,400 | $7,542 | $2,749 | $5,539 | $56,570 | 21.9% |
| Wyoming | $72,400 | $7,542 | $0 | $5,539 | $59,319 | 18.1% |
Top Cities for Immigration Officer Pay
San Diego/San Ysidro for busiest land port; El Paso for border operations; Miami for immigration processing; New York/JFK for air port of entry; Los Angeles for large immigration district
When comparing city compensation, factor in cost of living differences. A $72,400 salary in a mid-cost city often provides more purchasing power than a 20-30% premium in San Francisco or New York.
| City | Avg Salary |
|---|---|
| Washington, DC | $79,640 |
| San Diego, CA | $79,640 |
| Houston, TX | $79,640 |
| New York, NY | $79,640 |
| Phoenix, AZ | $79,640 |
Calculate Immigration Officer Take-Home Pay
Adjust the state and filing status to see your estimated after-tax income.
Estimated Take-Home Pay
Tax Breakdown
Tax Distribution
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Pay Frequency Breakdown
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How to Become a Immigration Officer
Education: The typical path to becoming a Immigration Officer involves earning a Bachelor's degree (required for federal positions); Criminal Justice, International Relations, or Political Science preferred; bilingual skills (Spanish, Arabic, Mandarin) valued. Some professionals enter the field through alternative pathways, but formal education provides the strongest foundation for long-term career growth.
Certifications: Key professional credentials for this role include Federal Law Enforcement Training Centers (FLETC) completion, CBP/ICE academy training, firearms qualification, defensive tactics certification, immigration law training. These certifications demonstrate expertise to employers and often directly correlate with higher compensation.
Skills & Tools: Proficiency with travel document verification equipment, biometric scanners (fingerprint, facial recognition), government databases (TECS, IDENT, CLAIMS), radio communications, body-worn cameras, inspection booths, K-9 teams (detection), vehicle inspection equipment is expected for competitive candidates. Building a portfolio of work or gaining practical experience through internships, projects, or entry-level positions is essential for breaking into the field.
Timeline: Most professionals reach mid-level competency within 3-5 years of entering the field, with senior positions typically requiring 7-12 years of progressive experience.
Immigration Officer Career Outlook
Employment for the Immigration Officer role is projected to grow 3% from 2022-2032 with demand tied to immigration policy priorities, border security funding, and visa processing backlogs requiring additional officers, reflecting strong demand driven by industry evolution and changing workforce needs. The most in-demand specializations include CBP Officers (ports of entry), ICE ERO (enforcement and removal), USCIS Adjudication Officers, Border Patrol Agents, HSI Special Agents, and asylum/refugee officers.
AI and Automation Impact: AI facial recognition and document verification accelerate port-of-entry processing, but the interview skills, fraud detection judgment, discretionary decisions, and humanitarian assessments require human immigration officers
Professionals who combine deep technical expertise with strong communication skills and adaptability will find the best opportunities in this evolving landscape.
Tax Tips for Immigration Officer Earnings
With a salary in this range, you're in the 22% federal tax bracket and have several powerful strategies to reduce your tax burden:
Maximize 401(k) Contributions: Every dollar you contribute to a traditional 401(k) reduces your taxable income. The 2026 limit is $23,500 ($31,000 if over 50). At the 22% bracket, a full contribution saves you $5,170 in federal taxes alone.
Health Savings Account (HSA): If you have a high-deductible health plan, contribute up to $4,300 (individual) or $8,550 (family) to an HSA. This gives you a triple tax advantage: deductible contributions, tax-free growth, and tax-free withdrawals for medical expenses.
Standard vs. Itemized Deductions: At this income level, evaluate whether your mortgage interest, state/local taxes (capped at $10,000 SALT), and charitable contributions exceed the standard deduction. Many workers in high-tax states benefit from itemizing.
Roth IRA: You likely qualify for direct Roth IRA contributions (income limit $161,000 single / $240,000 married). Contributing after-tax dollars now means tax-free withdrawals in retirement when your income may be higher.
Immigration Officer Salary FAQ
The median annual salary for a Immigration Officer in the United States is $72,400 in 2026. Compensation typically ranges from $42,600 for entry-level positions to $117,400 for experienced professionals in top-paying markets. Actual pay depends on experience, location, certifications, and employer size.
On a $72,400 salary, a Immigration Officer takes home approximately $85,000-$105,000 after federal, state, and FICA taxes, depending on the state and filing status. In no-income-tax states like Texas or Florida, take-home pay is higher than in states like California or New York.
Entry-level Immigration Officer professionals with 0-2 years of experience can expect to earn around $49,956 per year. Starting salaries vary significantly by location, with major metro areas offering 15-30% premiums over rural areas.
The highest-paying states for Immigration Officer professionals include DC, CA, TX. However, when adjusted for cost of living, some mid-tier states offer better purchasing power. No-income-tax states provide an additional 3-9% effective pay boost.
The median hourly equivalent for a Immigration Officer is approximately $34.81, based on 2,080 working hours per year. Actual hourly rates vary by experience level, with senior professionals earning $10-30 more per hour than entry-level.
To become a Immigration Officer, you typically need Bachelor's degree (required for federal positions); Criminal Justice, International Relations, or Political Science preferred; bilingual skills (Spanish, Arabic, Mandarin) valued. Valuable certifications include Federal Law Enforcement Training Centers (FLETC) completion, CBP/ICE academy training, firearms qualification, defensive tactics certification, immigration law training. Most employers also value practical experience gained through internships or entry-level positions.
Employment for Immigration Officer professionals is projected to grow 3% from 2022-2032 with demand tied to immigration policy priorities, border security funding, and visa processing backlogs requiring additional officers. AI facial recognition and document verification accelerate port-of-entry processing, but the interview skills, fraud detection judgment, discretionary decisions, and humanitarian assessments require human immigration officers The strongest opportunities are in CBP Officers (ports of entry), ICE ERO (enforcement and removal), USCIS Adjudication Officers, Border Patrol Agents, HSI Special Agents, and asylum/refugee officers.
A Immigration Officer typically spends their day inspecting travelers and documents at ports of entry, adjudicating immigration benefit applications, conducting investigations of immigration fraud, enforcing immigration law and processing removals, interviewing applicants for citizenship and visas, conducting workplace audits (I-9 compliance), apprehending unauthorized individuals, and coordinating with other federal agencies. The work environment involves ports of entry (airports, land borders, seaports), immigration offices, or field operations; shift work at ports of entry; potential exposure to dangerous situations (enforcement roles); desk-based for adjudication officers; federal benefits package; structured hierarchy; relocation may be required for initial assignment.