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FBI Agent
Government & Civil ServiceYou investigate federal crimes — terrorism, cybercrime, public corruption, organized crime, and everything in between. You carry a gun, a badge, and a caseload that would crush a normal person. The FBI is not what TV shows depict. It's mostly paperwork, interviews, and meticulous evidence gathering punctuated by moments of real danger. Getting in is brutally competitive, and the background check will find that parking ticket from 2009.
Salary Range
Low
$65k
Median
$95k
High
$140k
10-Year Growth
average
US Workers
14K
Education
Bachelor's degree minimum + 20-week FBI Academy at Quantico + pass extremely rigorous background investigation
Environment
both
Tools & Technical Skills
- ▸Criminal investigation techniques
- ▸Federal law and judicial procedures
- ▸Interview and interrogation methods
- ▸Surveillance and counter-intelligence operations
- ▸Digital forensics and cybercrime investigation
- ▸Evidence collection and chain-of-custody protocols
- ▸Firearms qualification and tactical operations
People & Mindset Skills
- ▸Analytical and critical thinking
- ▸Integrity and ethical judgment
- ▸Written communication (reports, affidavits)
- ▸Composure under cross-examination
- ▸Physical and emotional resilience
What you'll actually do
- 01Investigate federal crimes by conducting interviews, analyzing evidence, and building cases that must survive federal court
- 02Write reports and affidavits with the detail and precision of someone who knows defense attorneys will parse every word
- 03Coordinate with local, state, and other federal agencies that all have different jurisdictions and different egos
- 04Testify in federal court and maintain composure while defense attorneys try to discredit your investigation
- 05Maintain physical fitness standards because your job occasionally requires chasing someone or kicking in a door
- 06Relocate every few years because the FBI decides where you live, not you
Related Shifts
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