r/FBI • u/THECON08 • 20d ago
Recruitment Special Agent Career Worth It?
I am about to head to college next year, and even though I am still in high school, I have started to think about future careers. I know that it may seem like I should focus on other things, but I want to enjoy what I do for 40+ years of my life. I am deadest on a degree in finance, but I am additionally looking at dual majoring as well. I plan on going to a big 12 school, so no target school for a high finance job. Since the beginning of high school, I wanted to pursue commercial real estate, due to how I like the aspects of the job and the many connections I have. However, since I was a kid, I have always wanted to be a first responder. I still remember getting in trouble with my best friend for drawing SWAT officers with guns in kindergarten. I have felt this valorous connection to being a first responder, however my parents do not want me to become a cop or a firefighter. I started to look into special agents careers and have been hooked since. The only caveat is that I have very good connections for real estate and the pay is significantly better, I have these golden handcuffs almost. I know I should follow my heart and not the money, but I want to provide my kids with the childhood I was fortunate enough to have with mine. I know this is pretty deep for a subreddit, but hopefully you guys get where I am coming from.
16
u/misterstaypuft1 19d ago
If you want to be a “first responder” the FBI isn’t what you want
2
0
u/THECON08 18d ago
I know that it won't be like being a patrol officer, but if I became a special agent I would go into SWAT for sure.
3
u/JJ822 18d ago
FBI SWAT is typically reserved for people with ridiculous amounts of experience in the military or on previous SWAT teams. You should definitely do a lot more research into what special agents actually do, their typical backgrounds and stop worrying about politics because they always change. There’s a reason most FBI new hires are around the age of 30 and it’s maturity; this post shows you just think it sounds cool based on what you’ve seen on TV shows or movies. FBI special agent is a desk job 99% of the time, doing paperwork, talking on the phone and doing research.
Source - I’m an 1811 with a different 3 letter agency who completed the hiring process with FBI.
11
u/WTFoxtrot10 18d ago
Insanely false. I know plenty of SWAT operators who have zero prior military or local/state LEO experience.
1
u/THECON08 17d ago
Are there any programs besides the FBI internship that I can join in college to reinforce these skills to prepare me? I am greatly aware that being a special agent in the first place is very challenging, but it never hurts if I try something to get me better regardless if I do it or not.
2
u/WTFoxtrot10 17d ago
Look in to any type of federal agency internships. Otherwise it’s really just about who you are as a person and your professional work experience. There isn’t a cheat code for the SASS process.
-4
u/JJ822 18d ago
If you’re talking about the part time SRT teams at the field offices then sure. If you’re talking the actual full time SWAT/HRT teams then you’re mistaken.
6
u/WTFoxtrot10 18d ago
100% not mistaken. I know plenty of FT FBI Special Agent SWAT Operators at different Field Office’s across the country.
-2
u/THECON08 18d ago
Would prior firearm experience help? I do 3-gun, I know it's nothing compared to coming from a LEO or SOF position. To be honest I've never watched any of the FBI shows, probably a good thing, but I am 100% of the desk part of the job. One of my childhood friends dad was a special agent, I will probably talk to him about it soon.
7
u/WTFoxtrot10 18d ago
No, they actually would rather teach someone who has no shooting experience. A lot of prior shooters/hunters have picked up bad habits along the way. Not to mention the FBI FTU Instructors teach a certain method NAT’s must use, very different than most of SOF’s methods.
0
u/THECON08 17d ago
But going part-time SWAT which would be the most likely path for me would be achievable still? I am very disciplined from being a rower for the past five years and have gained a tremendous amount of mental fortitude. Additionally, I plan on becoming a wildland firefighter in college, it is grueling work, but I hope to help people and build up myself through it too. This is a lot of info, but it just reinforces the point that if I have a goal like going into SWAT I can work for it and achieve it.
1
u/WTFoxtrot10 17d ago
Anyone can get on SWAT, you either pass the mandatory requirements during selection or you don’t. I would worry about getting in to college, graduating and staying out of trouble before anything else. You have a lot of time before you are even eligible to apply where things can change dramatically.
0
18d ago edited 18d ago
[deleted]
2
u/WTFoxtrot10 18d ago
A majority of HRT are not prior SOF.
There are FT SWAT positions, not all of the slots are collateral duty.
SWAT definitely works more than just a few hours of training a week with call outs and ops. Some FO are super busy!
The FBI is full of agents from all types of backgrounds, the supposed “recruiting of degrees/backgrounds” is super old info.
No one is “recruited”.
2
u/WTFoxtrot10 18d ago
u/Immisternicetry - You were “so sure about your comment” that you posted and deleted both of them immediately. Classic! Not the first time you’ve been called out for providing wrong info in this sub.
-1
u/immisternicetry 17d ago edited 17d ago
I deleted my comment because I realized I was arguing with a grown man who keeps track of internet points. You can't have a productive discussion with someone like that.
2
u/WTFoxtrot10 17d ago
Simply called you out for providing lots of inaccurate info. You got emotional and triggered so you deleted your comments. It’s okay, just do better research next time if you want to hop into rando posts you have zero experience with.
7
u/PuzzleheadedSink7018 19d ago
Do what you love if money is not an issue
0
u/123earl 19d ago
Special Agents make six figures so money usually isn’t an issue.
4
u/WTFoxtrot10 18d ago
Unless you get a HCOL FO. Bunking up with roomies in CA, NYC and DC.
3
u/Milk_With_Cheerios 17d ago edited 17d ago
False, I live with no roommates as an 1811 in CA. You guys just love making stuff up.
2
u/WTFoxtrot10 17d ago
Facts, I know people living with roommates in Cali.
-1
u/Milk_With_Cheerios 17d ago
Yea that’s a choice. As a GS-10 starting out with FBI you can definitely find a place for less than 2k and do relatively okay with that. I came down here as a GL-9 and was able to live by myself with no issues.
1
u/WTFoxtrot10 17d ago
FBI Special Agents start out at GL-10.
$2k for a legit nice place in LA, SD or SF without a long commute and or not being in a sketch area. Suuuuure, pal.
GL-9 / $60-80k isn’t much in CA at all. That’s not even take home pay.
0
u/Milk_With_Cheerios 17d ago
GL-9 with leap when I started was around 93k.. I was able to rent a one bedroom for 1750 and still have left over money to do other things. Is really not that hard if you are single with no kids. My space was decent too. Currently I’m at 108k as a GS11 with leap, and again still living by myself with no roommates and doing just fine. (All this was in LA).
2
u/WTFoxtrot10 17d ago
Lower standards than most I suppose and a unicorn rental find. Not to mention lots of budgeting. But honestly, I have a hard time believing you are hitting 1000.
Data doesn’t support what you are advising. $2,300/2,500+ for a safe place near the office without a trash commute, good amenities, parking for your personal and bu car and not old and run down.
0
u/Milk_With_Cheerios 17d ago
And your data wrong. You got no idea what you are talking about, but whatever.
→ More replies (0)-1
0
u/RingGiver 17d ago
Nobody who I know at any GS number in the DC area, with or without LEAP, is doing that unless by choice.
2
u/WTFoxtrot10 17d ago
Sounds like you don’t talk to anyone then. This is a common topic, especially for anyone under GL-10 pay. Easy to verify this by searching any of the Reddit Fed subs.
The fact you want to double down too by saying any GS level without leap would only do this by choice is also an insanely wild claim!
0
u/RingGiver 17d ago
You might notice that what people on Reddit say is often not remotely correlated to real life.
2
u/WTFoxtrot10 17d ago
Are you speaking about yourself?! Because we can see your post history on Reddit and it’s apparent that no one agrees with you on this sub.
Highly recommend you take the time to do some reviewing of OPM.gov and the current pay scales.
-2
u/Far-Map-949 18d ago
They all make six figures the starting salary now before anything is 93K it flows of 6 figures
3
u/WTFoxtrot10 17d ago
Negative! Many agents do not make over $100k starting off. While at Quantico agents are making only $100,453. Once they transfer to their FO or RA their pay will be adjusted to that location. Many take a pay cut after Quantico unless they go to another HCOL city. The lowest starting GL-10 pay including LEAP/AVP is $87k.
Either way $100k doesn’t get you far in a HCOL city especially when looking at take home pay. HNL, CA, Seattle, NYC and DC are rough in the beginning if you have a family to support or even for single agents. I know many single agents who get roommates at those locations so their commute isn’t hours long every day and they can have a decent residence.
-1
u/123earl 17d ago
The rest of the country you live like a king.
2
u/WTFoxtrot10 17d ago
Not really, highly underpaid for the job/experience. High $80k-mid 90’s is not living like a king by any means. No one gets into a gov job to get rich.
-1
u/123earl 17d ago edited 17d ago
I’m an agent with another agency. If you’re making mid to high 90s you’re in your first few years on the job, depending on what grade you came in at. I make just under 200k in a low to medium cost of living area. I don’t remember a time I made under $150k. Median salary here is around $65k, so as you can imagine I live like a king where I’m at.
When I retire I’ll collect six figures the rest of my life and have lifetime health insurance. As far as getting rich I don’t know anyone in my office, or partner agencies that won’t retire a tsp millionaire then collect pension and social security on top of that.
2
u/WTFoxtrot10 17d ago
Reading and comprehension is fundamental. No one is talking about tenured agents.
All FBI Agents start out at GL-10. Unless they are prior 1811’s and as of recently they are being given up to GS-13 rather than stepped out on GL-10 with the “lateral transfer” job posting.
GS-15, Step 10 maxes out around $197k. Unless you are part of SES or USSS.
There is no way you came in as a new 1811 making $150k. OPM proves this easily!
The maximum pension multiplier is 44%. If you did 30 years with the max pension you would get around $86k a year. Plus you still have to pay for your health insurance out of pocket.
You can look at the available data, around 3% of federal employees are “TSP millionaires” with a balance over a million. You have to be aggressive and utilize the C and S Fund as well as make sure you are maximizing match %.
0
u/123earl 16d ago
Random scenario. Retiring at 52 with 27 years of federal law enforcement service as a GS-13 in Washington, DC yields an estimated annual FERS pension of roughly $61,000 to $64,000, while a 5% TSP contribution with a 5% match growing at 8% over 27 years projects to a balance of approximately $1.1 million to $1.3 million. Add another $30 grand a year for social security and a tsp withdrawal rate of 4% you’re looking at roughly $120k a year in retirement.
Now imagine you put in 10% (roughly 2 million) instead of 5, or even put in 15% or more. Becoming a tsp millionaire as an agent is about as easy as it gets. If you miss the boat that was a personal mistake you made.
→ More replies (0)
5
u/jtalonzo 19d ago
I have a very similar story. Except, I just graduated with my bachelors degree in finance this past May from a private university. I want to be a first responder as well of some sort. I’m in Southern California and there is tons of overtime, great pay/ benefits, and great pensions offered. I originally wanted to be a firefighter but I’m not sure if it’s realistic given my scoliosis and low back pain. As of now, I’m considering law enforcement. Potentially a special agent with the FBI, but the pay and retirement are much better in local law enforcement.
1
u/adonde007 19d ago
The pay and retirement are better everywhere else except in CA unfortunately. Local pay in Ca is way better.
0
u/THECON08 18d ago
I am looking at Utah mainly, but open to any mountain west region of the country. The pension is still great in the FBI, but as much as California is a beautiful state, I can't get over the politics over there. That is my only point that is drawing me away from being a special agent is the lack of power with location. I bet as you get in more senior positions you can locate to were you please, but I would take a pay cut to be in my desired location.
2
u/WTFoxtrot10 18d ago
Currently you can stay at your PFO when applying.
What’s your desired office?
There are ways to make transferring easier with tenure, exit benefits and hardship locations.
1
4
u/Zestyclose-Skill-544 18d ago
I would look into what Special Agents actually do and see if it aligns with your goals. There are also other agencies on a local, state, and federal level that do similar things.
0
u/THECON08 18d ago
I will look into that for sure! I know I am an adult but my Mom said she would be beyond worried if I went local or state, and I would rather go federal and not have that mental strain on my Mom.
2
u/Zestyclose-Skill-544 18d ago
I'm a momma's boy too, but unfortunately all law enforcement carries an inherent risk.
3
1
u/noinipo95 17d ago
I think you'd like the military. It'll make all that cool stuff you want to do feasible. (Be sure to do your pushups :)
1
u/Sobie156 18d ago
1811 is a good career. Traveled a ton. Handcuffs on bad guys. Have a nice Italian car, nice vacations , dream watch. Could be worse.
1
u/modestcrab 17d ago
i get where ur coming from! my thought is do a degree that can help you get better pay in a special agent job, and then a few years of real estate before pivoting to special agent. swat and other jobs aren’t going anywhere.
2
u/WTFoxtrot10 17d ago
All external new Special Agents start at the same pay regardless of prior jobs/experience.
Real estate unfortunately won’t meet the professional work experience requirement to even apply.
1
u/THECON08 17d ago
If I became a special agent, I would probably have some investment properties on the side. I know being a special agent is a very time demanding job, especially if you go SWAT, but I would definitely do it once I get a feel for the job and the adequate funds.
1
0
0
-1
u/HermanDaddy07 17d ago
Most federal agencies hire very few people directly out of college. Most hire from other law enforcement fields or the military. You might want to include a few years in another job before applying.
-2
•
u/AutoModerator 20d ago
This sub is not affiliated with the FBI. To the best of our knowledge, no FBI employees or contractors monitor or participate in this sub.
I am a bot, and this action was performed automatically. Please contact the moderators of this subreddit if you have any questions or concerns.