I get this question a lot: how much do U.S. Marshals make? This question is in relation to a Deputy Marshal pay rate and entry requirements. Enjoy!
The salaries stated below are only an approximation. The actual salary is determined by the geographic location in which a U.S. Marshal would be employed, a.k.a. Locality Pay Scale.
All positions are filled at the GS-082-5 or GS-082-7 entry levels.
- GS-082-5: between $36,658 and $41,260 (as of January 2008)
- GS-082-7: between $41,729 and $46,969 (as of January 2008)
Requirements for GS-082-5 and GS-082-7
GS-5: GENERAL EXPERIENCE REQUIREMENTS: A four year bachelors’ degree OR a minimum of three years of responsible volunteer or paid experience. Listed below are examples of acceptable experience:
- Law enforcement
- Work involving the correctional treatment and supervision of criminal offenders in correctional institutions
- Classroom teaching or instruction
- Sales (other than taking and filing orders as in over-the-counter sales)
- Interviewing experience in a public or private service agency which involved making determinations on individual requests for services, benefits, etc., and explaining, interpreting, and applying rules, regulations, and procedures
- Work involving contacts with the public for the purpose of gathering information, such as credit rating investigator, claims adjuster, journalist, etc.
- Volunteer teaching or counseling
- Other experience that has demonstrated the ability to take charge and make decisions, such as civilian/military supervisory, managerial or leadership responsibility.
GS-7: SPECIALIZED EXPERIENCE REQUIREMENTS and SUPERIOR ACADEMIC ACHIEVEMENT:
EXPERIENCE:
- Have one year of responsible law enforcement experience in addition to the GS-5 experience requirements above
- Have the ability to deal effectively with associates, subordinates, the general public, and prisoners.
- Have the ability to make arrests and use firearms proficiently.
SUPERIOR ACADEMIC ACHIEVEMENT:
A bachelor’s degree and one of the following Superior Academic Achievement provisions:
- A grade point average (GPA) of 3.0 or higher for all completed undergraduate courses, or for those courses completed during the last 2 years of undergraduate study.
- Rank in the upper 1/3 of your college or university undergraduate class.
- Membership in a national scholastic honor society (other than freshman honor societies) recognized by the Association of College Honor Societies.
- Successful completion of graduate education in law, or in a field related to law enforcement (e.g., criminal justice), or completion of one full year of graduate study (minimum of 18 semester or 27 graduate quarter hours).
COMBINATION OF EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE:
- If you do not qualify based on education or experience alone we will combine your education and experience in an attempt to satisfy the minimum general experience requirements, at the GS-5 level, for Deputy U.S. Marshal positions.
Promotion Time Frame
Those appointed at the GS-082-5 grade level are eligible for promotion to GS-082-7 after 1 year.
Those appointed at the GS-082-7 grade level are eligible for promotion to GS-082-9 after 1 year.
Career ladder is to the GS-1811-11 grade level; there is a 3 year certification process before promotion from GS-082-9 to GS-1811-11 grade level.
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{ 11 comments… read them below or add one }
I would love to begin a career with the U.S. Marshalls. I have been a Correctional Officer for a 1 1/2 years now, I begin school at Kaplan University next wed. I will be get my bachelor’s Degree in Criminal Justice and my concentration will be Homeland Security. So if you will give me some feedback on the steps that I need to take to become one.
Glad to know that. I can give you some general steps that you will need to take to help you become a U.S. Marshal from this point on.
1. Obtain your degree with high marks. This is important, as your grades may play a role during the recruitment process.
2. When ready to apply (towards the end of your senior year) go to the U.S. Marshal Website and/or http://www.usajobs.gov to find out about position openings.
– Even better, try to make contact with your local Marshal’s Office and start speaking with a recruiter right now. He or she will be able to tell you exactly what the U.S. Marshal service looks for. You will be able to adjust your classes to better fit your future needs by knowing what the Marshal’s job entails. Keep this relationship alive and after you obtain your degree you should have a recruiter contact that will be ready to put your application through.
There’s no magic way of getting hired. You will have to go through the same process as so many potential Deputy Marshals go through. This is when it’s important to shine above the others — your grades, extracurricular activities, past job and career choices play a key role. I would keep tabs with the Marshal website and the recruiter for changes in the hiring process upon the completion of your degree.
You must know that you will most likely travel a lot and you will be away from your family or significant other. This is especially true in the beginning years as a U.S. Marshal. Good luck!
what about military EXPERIENCE
Military experience usually counts if you worked as a military police officer, all other job descriptions may be subject to question. Military experience may however qualify if the applicant has demonstrated the ability to take charge and make decisions, such as civilian/military supervisory, managerial or leadership responsibility. I would contact your local Marshals Office and ask a recruiter for more info.
must you have a degree
Granted your work experience qualifies, no you don’t need to have a degree (as far as I know), but the educational part should be significant enough for the Marshal service to consider you as a candidate. If you call the U.S. Marshal office where you would like to work a recruiter can help you by assessing your qualifications.
if i receive my masters in criminal justice and the us marshal agency hires me at what pay scale would i start off at?
Good question Mr. Jackson. It would be feasible that you would start as a GS-9, but nowhere on the Marshal website did I find such information. I am pretty sure that you would start as a GS-7 as a 4 year degree is required for that level (did anyone say overqualified?). Joking aside, you should call the local U.S. Marshal recruiter and find out if GS-9 pay grade is in your “stars.” Good luck and let us know what you found out.
i would just like to say how amazing you guys are in every way!!!!!!!!!! i might just be 12 but when I’m older i hope to be a us Marshal/ forensic fire arm exam. i think your guys jobs are best because you get help people and get bad guys of the street!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
I’m in the military and just got an article 15 with no loss in rank do I still have a chance at making it in?
I am not sure. The best thing to do is contact your local recruitment office and ask. This information will have to be presented anyway in your application and subsequent interviews.