John BlessingImmigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents are federal law enforcement officers who enforce immigration and customs laws in the United States. In Texas, a state with a long border with Mexico and a large immigrant population, ICE agents play a particularly visible role.
Salaries for these positions vary significantly based on the specific role, grade level, and location within Texas. This guide breaks down the pay scales, the factors that influence earnings, and what you can expect if you pursue a career as an ICE agent in the Lone Star State.
ICE Agent Salary in Texas
Understanding the Different ICE Roles
Before looking at salaries, it is important to understand that ICE is a large agency with multiple career paths. The two most common roles are Deportation Officers and ICE Special Agents (also known as Criminal Investigators). These are distinct positions with different pay scales, training requirements, and duties.
Deportation Officers work within Enforcement and Removal Operations (ERO). They are responsible for identifying, apprehending, and removing individuals who are in the country unlawfully. They work in field offices, detention facilities, and processing centers. Their pay is typically based on the General Schedule (GS) pay scale.
ICE Special Agents work within Homeland Security Investigations (HSI). They conduct complex criminal investigations involving human trafficking, drug smuggling, financial crimes, and child exploitation. They are classified as Criminal Investigators under the GL pay scale, which has its own special rates. Special Agents also receive Law Enforcement Availability Pay (LEAP), which adds 25 percent to their base salary.
ICE Agent Salary at a Glance
The table below shows the approximate annual salary ranges for the main ICE roles in Texas.
Here is the cleaned-up and standardized version of your salary table:
| Role | Entry-Level | Average | Senior / Supervisory |
|---|---|---|---|
| Deportation Officer (GL-5 to GL-7) | $51,632–$84,277 | $60,000–$80,000 | Up to $167,603 at GS-15 |
| Immigration Enforcement Officer | $45,200 | $57,901 | $69,400 |
| ICE Special Agent (GL-10 to GS-13) | $96,199 | $110,853 | $134,483 |
| Senior / Supervisory Roles (GS-14 to GS-15) | — | — | Up to $167,603 |
Note: These figures represent the ranges and estimates in your original table. Actual federal compensation can vary based on grade, step, locality pay, and other applicable adjustments.
These figures are based on official federal pay scales and recruitment announcements. Entry-level salaries for Deportation Officers are often cited in the range of $60,000 to $80,000, depending on the specific grade and location. ICE Special Agents earn significantly more, with an average national salary of $110,853 and most earning between $96,199 and $134,483.
Deportation Officer Salary in Texas
Deportation Officers are the backbone of ICE’s removal operations. They are typically hired at the GL-5 or GL-7 level, depending on education and experience. The GL pay scale is similar to the GS scale but has slightly different rates for law enforcement officers.
An entry-level Deportation Officer in Texas can expect to earn between $51,632 and $84,277 per year. This range reflects the difference between the lower grades and the higher steps within those grades. Starting pay is often cited as $60,000 to $80,000, which is consistent with the federal pay tables for the Dallas and Houston locality areas.
As Deportation Officers gain experience and promotions, their salaries increase. At the GS-12 level, which is a common mid-career grade, salaries range from approximately $90,000 to $120,000 per year. At the GS-13 level, salaries can reach $140,000. At the senior GS-15 level, a Deportation Officer can earn up to $167,603 per year.
Immigration Enforcement Officer Salary
Immigration Enforcement Officers are a related role within ICE. Their duties overlap with those of Deportation Officers, and their salaries are similar. The average salary for an Immigration Enforcement Officer in Texas is approximately $57,901 per year, with a typical range of $45,200 to $69,400. These figures are lower than the Deportation Officer scale because they may include lower grades or different locality adjustments.
ICE Special Agent Salary in Texas
ICE Special Agents are the criminal investigators of the agency. They are highly trained and often have prior law enforcement experience. They are hired at the GL-10 level or higher, which reflects the specialized nature of their work.
The average salary for an ICE Special Agent in Texas is approximately $110,853 per year. Most Special Agents earn between $96,199 and $134,483. These figures include the 25 percent LEAP payment, which is added to the base salary for availability to work unscheduled overtime.
Special Agents can advance to GS-13, GS-14, and GS-15 levels. At the GS-15 level, a Special Agent can earn up to $167,603 per year. Supervisory Special Agents and senior managers earn at the higher end of this range.
Locality Pay in Texas
Federal salaries are adjusted for locality. This means that the same grade and step pay different amounts depending on the city where you work. Texas is generally considered a lower-cost area than cities like New York, San Francisco, or Washington, DC, so locality pay is lower than in those regions. However, certain Texas cities have higher locality adjustments than others.
The highest-paying Texas cities for ICE-related roles are Odessa, Austin, Midland, and Dallas. These cities have higher average salaries due to their locality pay adjustments and the cost of living in those areas.
For example, the Dallas Field Office of ICE has a locality pay adjustment that is higher than the rest of Texas. This means that a Deportation Officer in Dallas will earn more than a Deportation Officer in a smaller Texas city at the same grade and step.
The Dallas Police Department offers a starting salary of $75,358, and Fort Worth starts at $78,358. These figures are for local law enforcement, not ICE, but they provide a useful benchmark for law enforcement pay in the Dallas-Fort Worth area.
Total Compensation and Incentives
Base salary is only part of the compensation package for ICE agents. There are several additional benefits and incentives that can significantly increase total earnings.
Law Enforcement Availability Pay (LEAP)
LEAP is a 25 percent addition to base salary for Special Agents and certain other law enforcement officers. It compensates them for being available to work unscheduled overtime. For a Special Agent earning $110,853 per year, the LEAP payment alone is approximately $27,713. This is a significant boost to total compensation.
Recruitment Incentives
ICE has been offering generous recruitment incentives to attract new agents. These include up to a $50,000 signing bonus and up to $60,000 in student loan repayment for eligible new hires who commit to staying with the agency for a certain period. These incentives are subject to change and depend on the specific position and the needs of the agency at the time of hiring.
Federal Benefits
ICE agents are federal employees and receive the full package of federal benefits. This includes the Federal Employees Retirement System (FERS), which provides a pension and access to the Thrift Savings Plan (TSP), a retirement savings account similar to a 401(k) with government matching contributions. Agents also receive health insurance, life insurance, and generous leave benefits.
2026 Pay Raise
Federal law enforcement officers received a 3.8 percent pay increase in January 2026. This consisted of a 1 percent base pay increase and a 2.8 percent special rate increase for law enforcement officers. This raise applies to ICE Special Agents and Deportation Officers, and it is reflected in the salary figures cited in this article.
How to Become an ICE Agent in Texas
The path to becoming an ICE agent involves several steps. For Deportation Officers, the requirements include U.S. citizenship, a valid driver’s license, and a bachelor’s degree or equivalent experience. Candidates must pass a background investigation, a medical examination, a fitness test, and a polygraph examination. They must also complete the Federal Law Enforcement Training Center (FLETC) basic training program.
For Special Agents, the requirements are more stringent. Candidates must have a bachelor’s degree, at least one year of specialized experience, and pass a rigorous selection process that includes a written examination, an oral board interview, and a physical fitness test. Special Agents must also complete the Criminal Investigator Training Program at FLETC.
Salary Progression and Career Advancement
ICE agents can advance through the ranks by gaining experience, pursuing promotions, and taking on supervisory roles. A Deportation Officer can progress from GL-5 to GS-15 over a career, with each grade bringing a significant salary increase. Special Agents can advance from GL-10 to GS-15, and can also move into supervisory or managerial positions.
Promotions are based on performance, time in grade, and the availability of positions. Agents who are willing to relocate to different field offices or take on challenging assignments may have more opportunities for advancement.
Summary
ICE agent salaries in Texas range from approximately $51,632 for entry-level Deportation Officers to over $167,000 for senior Special Agents and supervisors. The average salary for an ICE Special Agent is approximately $110,853 per year, while Deportation Officers earn between $60,000 and $80,000 at entry level.
Locality pay adjustments mean that agents in Dallas, Austin, and other major Texas cities earn more than those in smaller towns. LEAP, recruitment incentives, and federal benefits add significant value to the total compensation package.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the starting salary for an ICE agent in Texas?
Entry-level Deportation Officers in Texas earn between $51,632 and $84,277 per year. Starting pay is often cited as $60,000 to $80,000, depending on the specific grade and location.
How much do ICE Special Agents make in Texas?
The average salary for an ICE Special Agent in Texas is approximately $110,853 per year, with most earning between $96,199 and $134,483. These figures include the 25 percent LEAP payment.
Which Texas cities pay the highest ICE salaries?
Odessa, Austin, Midland, and Dallas have the highest average salaries for ICE-related roles due to locality pay adjustments.
Do ICE agents get a signing bonus?
Yes. ICE has offered up to a $50,000 signing bonus and up to $60,000 in student loan repayment for eligible new hires who commit to staying with the agency for a certain period.
What is LEAP and how much is it worth?
LEAP stands for Law Enforcement Availability Pay. It is a 25 percent addition to base salary for Special Agents and certain other law enforcement officers who are available for unscheduled overtime.
What was the 2026 pay raise for ICE agents?
Federal law enforcement officers received a 3.8 percent pay increase in January 2026, consisting of a 1 percent base pay increase and a 2.8 percent special rate increase.
Conclusion
A career as an ICE agent in Texas offers competitive pay, generous benefits, and the opportunity to serve in federal law enforcement. While entry-level salaries for Deportation Officers are modest, the potential for advancement is significant, and Special Agents earn six-figure salaries with LEAP included.
Locality pay, recruitment incentives, and federal benefits further enhance the total compensation package. For those willing to meet the rigorous requirements and commit to the demanding work, ICE offers a stable and rewarding career path.
Disclaimer: All salary figures are based on publicly available federal pay scales, recruitment announcements, and salary data. Actual salaries may vary based on grade, step, location, and agency needs. Always verify current pay rates and requirements with the official ICE recruitment website.