U.S. customs officers must meet several job requirements.
Customs officers are responsible for enforcing government laws on anything imported or exported into the U.S., as well as detecting and preventing weapons of mass destruction and terrorists from entering the U.S., according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics. These criminal justice professionals are employed by the U.S. Customs and Border Patrol, which is part of the U.S. Department of Homeland Security. If you are considering pursuing a career as a customs officer, your starting salary will depend upon your clearance level and work location.
Clearance Levels
U.S. customs positions are comprised of levels GS-5 through GS-7. The clearance level a candidate starts out in depends on his previous work and educational background. For example, GS-5 level applicants must have a minimum of three years work experience that exhibits the ability to work with people and facts and forms. GS-7 level applicants must have at least one year experience working in inspections, including a border agent or inspections agent job. If you don't have the prior work experience, you may be able to land the job with a four-year bachelor's degree.
Southeastern Salaries
The actual starting salary for a customs employee depends on his work location and clearance grade. As of 2011, G-5 custom officers in Atlanta start at $40,355, G-6 starts at $42,553 and G-7 starts out at $45,940, according to the U.S. Office of Personnel Management. In Miami, G-5 custom officers start at $40,852, G-6 officers start at $43,088 and G-7 start at $46,517.
Northeastern Salaries
As of 2011, G-5 customs officers in Boston start at $42,219, G-6 starts at $44,519 and G-7 starts out at $48,062, according to the U.S. Office of Personnel Management. In New York, G-5 customs officers start at $43,545, G-6 officers start at $45,917 and G-7 start at $49,571. G-5 customs officers in Buffalo start at $39,573, G-6 make $41,729 and G-7 earn $45,050 per year.
Midwest Salaries
G-5 customs officers in Chicago earned the starting salary of $42,320, G-6 made $44,626 and G-7 made $48,177, as of 2011. In Dayton, the starting salary for G-5 customs officers was $39,323, for G-6 was $41,465 and for G-7 was $44,765, per the U.S. Office of Personnel Management.
Southwestern Salaries
As of 2011, G-5 customs officers in Dallas-Ft. Worth start at $40,821, G-6 starts at $43,045 and G-7 starts out at $46,471, according to the U.S. Office of Personnel Management. In Phoenix, G-5 customs officers start at $39,499, G-6 officers start at $41,651 and G-7 start at $44,965.
Western Salaries
G-5 customs officers in Los Angeles earned the starting salary of $43,017, G-6 made $45,361 and G-7 made $48,971, as of 2011. In Portland, Oregon, the starting salary for G-5 customs officers was $40,713, for G-6 was $42,931 and for G-7 was $46,348, per the U.S. Office of Personnel Management.
