Working as a federal law enforcement officer comes with a unique set of responsibilities, benefits, and pay structures. In Texas, a state that plays a critical role in immigration enforcement due to its extensive southern border with Mexico, the role of Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents is especially significant. For anyone considering this career path, one of the most important questions is: What is the salary of an ICE agent in Texas?
This article provides an in-depth, fact-based breakdown of ICE agent salaries in Texas, covering pay scales, benefits, location-based differences, and career progression. By the end, you’ll have a clear picture of how much ICE agents earn, what factors influence their pay, and how their compensation compares to other law enforcement careers in the state.
ICE Agent Salary in Texas
ICE agents in Texas, like elsewhere in the U.S., are federal employees. Their pay is determined by federal pay scales, rather than local or state government systems. Specifically, ICE agents fall under the General Schedule (GS) pay scale for federal employees, with most law enforcement officers entering at GS-5, GS-7, or GS-9 levels, depending on their education and experience.
Key Points About ICE Salaries in Texas
- Base Pay Comes from Federal GS Scale – ICE agent pay starts with the GS pay tables set by the U.S. Office of Personnel Management (OPM).
- Locality Pay Adjustments – Because ICE agents in Texas are stationed in different areas (such as Houston, Dallas, San Antonio, or El Paso), their salaries include locality pay adjustments that account for cost of living differences.
- Law Enforcement Availability Pay (LEAP) – ICE agents qualify for LEAP, an additional 25% of their base salary, to compensate for long or unpredictable work hours.
- Step Increases – Within each GS grade, agents receive periodic step increases for longevity and satisfactory performance.
Average Pay Ranges in Texas
An entry-level ICE agent in Texas typically earns between $56,000 and $72,000 annually, including LEAP and locality pay. Experienced agents, supervisors, and those promoted to higher GS levels can earn significantly more.
Here’s a simplified snapshot of ICE agent pay ranges in Texas (approximate annual totals with LEAP and locality pay):
| GS Level | Approx. Base Pay (2025) | With Locality Pay (Texas Range) | With LEAP (25%) | Total Estimated Annual Salary |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| GS-5 | $35,000 – $46,000 | $38,000 – $50,000 | + $9,500 – $12,500 | $47,500 – $62,500 |
| GS-7 | $43,000 – $56,000 | $46,000 – $60,000 | + $11,500 – $15,000 | $57,500 – $75,000 |
| GS-9 | $53,000 – $68,000 | $57,000 – $73,000 | + $14,250 – $18,250 | $71,000 – $91,000 |
| GS-11 | $64,000 – $83,000 | $69,000 – $89,000 | + $17,250 – $22,250 | $86,000 – $111,000 |
| GS-12+ | $77,000 – $100,000+ | $83,000 – $110,000+ | + $20,750 – $27,500+ | $104,000 – $137,500+ |
Figures are rounded estimates for 2025, including LEAP and locality pay for Texas regions.
Factors That Influence ICE Agent Salaries in Texas
While the GS scale provides a baseline, an ICE agent’s total salary in Texas can vary based on several factors:
1. Location in Texas
Texas has multiple locality pay areas. Agents working in cities like Houston, Dallas, and Austin earn slightly more due to higher living costs compared to areas like Lubbock or McAllen.
- Houston-The Woodlands Pay Area – Typically one of the higher-paying regions in Texas.
- Dallas-Fort Worth Locality – Also offers elevated pay compared to national averages.
- Rest of Texas – Areas not included in major metropolitan locality zones fall under the “Rest of U.S.” locality adjustment, which is slightly lower.
2. Grade and Step
Agents advance through grades and steps as they gain experience. A GS-9 agent with several years of service earns significantly more than a new GS-5 agent.
3. Overtime and Availability Pay
LEAP already adds 25% to an agent’s salary, but some may also qualify for additional overtime pay under specific circumstances.
4. Promotions and Specialized Roles
Supervisory agents, special agents in charge (SACs), and those in specialized investigative or tactical units receive higher GS levels and pay.
5. Federal Benefits
While not technically part of salary, benefits add substantial value to an ICE agent’s compensation package. These include federal retirement plans, health insurance, paid leave, and tuition assistance.
Comparison: ICE Agent Salaries vs. Other Law Enforcement in Texas
To better understand ICE salaries in Texas, it’s useful to compare them to other law enforcement positions:
- Texas State Troopers – Entry-level pay averages around $64,000, increasing with tenure.
- Local Police Officers (Houston/Dallas) – Typically earn $60,000 – $80,000, depending on rank and years of service.
- Border Patrol Agents – Similar to ICE, starting at GS-5/7 levels, but may earn more due to recruitment incentives in border areas.
In short, ICE agents in Texas generally earn equal to or slightly more than many state and local law enforcement officers, especially when factoring in LEAP and federal benefits.
Career Progression and Long-Term Earnings
An ICE agent’s salary in Texas doesn’t remain static. Federal law enforcement careers are structured for progression.
Entry-Level Hiring
- Most new ICE agents begin at GS-5, GS-7, or GS-9.
- Candidates with a bachelor’s degree and some relevant work experience may qualify for GS-7 or GS-9.
Mid-Career Advancement
- With strong performance, agents can move to GS-11 or GS-12 within a few years.
- Each promotion increases base pay by approximately 10–15%, not including locality or LEAP adjustments.
Senior and Supervisory Roles
- GS-13 and GS-14 pay levels are common for supervisory special agents.
- GS-15 and Senior Executive Service (SES) positions exist for high-level managers, with salaries exceeding $150,000 annually.
This structured system means that a career ICE agent in Texas could reasonably expect to earn well over six figures by mid-career, with long-term retirement benefits adding further security.
Benefits Beyond Salary
When evaluating ICE agent salaries, it’s important to consider the non-salary benefits that federal employment provides. These significantly increase the overall compensation value:
- Law Enforcement Retirement System – Agents are eligible for retirement after 20 years of service at age 50, or 25 years at any age, under the Federal Employees Retirement System (FERS).
- Thrift Savings Plan (TSP) – A retirement savings plan with government matching contributions, similar to a 401(k).
- Health, Dental, and Vision Insurance – Comprehensive federal health benefits.
- Life Insurance – Group life coverage through FEGLI (Federal Employees’ Group Life Insurance).
- Paid Leave – Annual leave accrual, sick leave, and 11+ federal holidays per year.
- Tuition Assistance and Training – Opportunities for continued education and specialized law enforcement training.
These benefits, combined with competitive base pay, make ICE agent positions in Texas financially attractive compared to many state and local law enforcement roles.
Salary Outlook for ICE Agents in Texas
Looking ahead, ICE agent salaries in Texas are expected to remain stable and competitive, as they are tied to federally mandated pay scales. Each year, OPM typically announces cost-of-living adjustments (COLAs) and updates to locality pay, which incrementally raise federal law enforcement salaries.
Additionally, the ongoing need for immigration enforcement in Texas ensures steady demand for ICE agents, meaning long-term job security and reliable compensation growth.
Locality Pay for ICE Agents in Texas
Unlike many state or city law enforcement salaries, federal pay is nationally standardized and then adjusted for cost of living in different areas. For ICE agents in Texas, this adjustment is particularly important since Texas is vast and economically diverse.
Major Locality Pay Areas in Texas (2025)
- Houston–The Woodlands Locality
- Covers Houston and surrounding counties.
- Known for higher living costs and thus higher locality adjustments.
- ICE agents in this region generally earn 5–7% more than counterparts in non-metro Texas.
- Dallas–Fort Worth Locality
- Includes Dallas, Fort Worth, Arlington, and surrounding areas.
- Locality pay is slightly below Houston but above smaller cities.
- San Antonio–New Braunfels Locality
- Covers central Texas near the Hill Country.
- Offers competitive pay adjustments, though slightly less than Dallas or Houston.
- Rest of Texas (ROW)
- Applies to agents in smaller towns such as Laredo, McAllen, Brownsville, and El Paso.
- Salaries here are adjusted using the “Rest of U.S.” locality rate, which is lower than big city adjustments but balanced by lower cost of living.
Example Salary Differences by City
Here’s a side-by-side look at how location affects ICE agent pay in Texas (rounded 2025 estimates for a GS-9, Step 5 agent with LEAP):
| City/Area | Base GS-9 Salary | Locality Pay Added | Total with LEAP |
|---|---|---|---|
| Houston | $64,000 | +$9,000 | ~$91,000 |
| Dallas–Fort Worth | $64,000 | +$8,500 | ~$90,500 |
| San Antonio | $64,000 | +$7,500 | ~$89,000 |
| El Paso/McAllen | $64,000 | +$6,000 | ~$87,500 |
The differences may appear modest, but over a 20–30 year career, these locality pay variations add up to tens of thousands of dollars.
Step-by-Step Salary Progression for ICE Agents in Texas
To understand long-term earning potential, let’s walk through a typical ICE agent career path from entry-level through retirement.
Year 1–2: Entry Level
- Many recruits start at GS-7 (with a bachelor’s degree) or GS-9 (with prior experience).
- Including locality and LEAP, starting pay ranges from $57,000 to $75,000.
Year 3–5: Early Career
- Promotion to GS-9 or GS-11.
- Salary rises to $71,000 – $91,000 with LEAP.
- Agents gain field experience in investigations, enforcement, and case management.
Year 6–10: Mid-Career
- Eligible for GS-12, a common level for experienced agents.
- Salary reaches $104,000 – $120,000, depending on city.
- Agents may take on mentorship roles or specialized assignments.
Year 11–15: Advanced Roles
- Promotion to GS-13 or GS-14 for supervisory duties.
- Pay climbs to $115,000 – $140,000+.
- Positions may include Supervisory Special Agent or Assistant Special Agent in Charge.
Year 16–25: Senior Leadership and Retirement Eligibility
- High-level managers may achieve GS-15 or Senior Executive Service (SES) positions.
- Pay exceeds $150,000 annually.
- Retirement eligibility kicks in at 20 years of service (minimum age 50) or 25 years at any age.
This structured path demonstrates how an ICE agent in Texas can comfortably exceed six figures by mid-career, with stable raises built into the federal system.
Real-World Comparison: ICE vs. Border Patrol vs. FBI in Texas
Because Texas is home to multiple federal law enforcement agencies, it helps to compare ICE salaries with other roles.
ICE Agents vs. Border Patrol Agents
- Both start at similar GS levels.
- Border Patrol often offers hiring incentives for agents in hard-to-staff border towns, which can temporarily raise earnings.
- ICE agents, however, typically have more investigative assignments and longer-term promotion opportunities into specialized units.
ICE Agents vs. FBI Special Agents
- FBI agents start at GS-10, meaning slightly higher entry pay than ICE.
- However, FBI assignments may involve relocation outside Texas, while ICE positions are heavily concentrated within the state.
- ICE and FBI both qualify for LEAP, bringing salaries into a comparable range after a few years.
ICE Agents vs. Texas Rangers or State Troopers
- Texas Rangers are elite within the Department of Public Safety and command high salaries, often $90,000–$120,000 with experience.
- Entry-level state troopers begin lower but climb steadily.
- ICE salaries, with federal benefits included, remain highly competitive against state law enforcement.
Work-Life Considerations for ICE Agents in Texas
Salary is important, but working conditions and lifestyle also play a big role in evaluating this career.
Pros
- Stable federal employment with regular raises.
- Generous retirement benefits compared to many state agencies.
- Prestige of federal law enforcement experience, transferable to other agencies.
Challenges
- Work schedules can be unpredictable, including nights, weekends, and holidays.
- Assignments near the southern border can be high stress and involve significant caseloads.
- Transfers may be required for promotion to supervisory or specialized roles.
These factors should be weighed alongside salary when considering an ICE career in Texas.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) About ICE Agent Salaries in Texas
1. What is the starting salary for an ICE agent in Texas?
Most new agents earn $57,000 to $75,000 annually, depending on entry grade, locality, and LEAP.
2. Do ICE agents in Texas get paid more because of the border?
Not automatically. Salaries are based on the GS scale plus locality pay. However, certain recruitment or retention incentives may apply for hard-to-fill posts along the border.
3. How often do ICE agents get raises?
Agents receive annual step increases within their grade and may earn promotions to higher GS levels every few years, depending on performance.
4. Can ICE agents in Texas earn overtime beyond LEAP?
LEAP (25% pay increase) is designed to cover most overtime, but in rare cases, additional overtime pay may apply.
5. Do ICE agents earn more in Houston or Dallas than in El Paso?
Yes, because locality pay is higher in major metros like Houston or Dallas than in border towns that fall under “Rest of U.S.” locality rates.
6. What is the maximum salary an ICE agent can earn in Texas?
Senior Special Agents at GS-15 with LEAP can earn well over $150,000 annually, excluding any additional allowances.
7. How do ICE retirement benefits compare to Texas police pensions?
Federal law enforcement officers generally receive more generous retirement packages than most state and local police officers, especially with the option to retire at 50 with 20 years of service.
Why Texas Is a Unique Place for ICE Careers
Texas is not only large but also central to U.S. immigration enforcement. This creates unique career opportunities for ICE agents stationed there.
- High Demand – With one of the longest borders with Mexico, Texas requires a large ICE workforce.
- Diverse Locations – Agents can serve in bustling metros like Houston or rural border towns.
- Long-Term Stability – Immigration enforcement remains a consistent federal priority, ensuring steady job opportunities.
This combination makes Texas one of the most important states for ICE employment, both in terms of career growth and financial security.
Final Thoughts
When evaluating an ICE agent salary in Texas, it’s clear that this career offers competitive pay, excellent benefits, and strong job security. While entry-level salaries start in the $57,000–$75,000 range, career progression allows agents to surpass six figures within a decade.
Factors like locality pay, GS grade, and promotions all influence earnings, while federal benefits—including early retirement and comprehensive health insurance—add immense long-term value.
Compared to state and local law enforcement in Texas, ICE salaries are consistently competitive, and the structured progression ensures steady financial growth throughout a career. For anyone considering a future in federal law enforcement, becoming an ICE agent in Texas is a financially stable and rewarding path.