CIA Agent Career, Salary, and Training Info – CIA Careers
If you are seeking global employment opportunities, consider a career with the Central Intelligence Agency. The CIA offers a wide variety of important positions to those who want to serve their country around the world. You may think of the Clandestine Service Officers who gather intelligence but there are also positions for those trained in science, technology, analysis, foreign language and engineering as well as administrative positions.
CIA Agent Requirements
You will be required to pass a medical exam which includes drug testing. Recreational use of drugs in the past will not disqualify you with the CIA but current drug use will.
A polygraph will be required. The technology associated with polygraph testing has become more reliable which makes it difficult to fool the analyst administering the procedure.
You will be subject to a complete background check. The methods, depth and guidelines of background checks are not publicized by the CIA but the investigation is not limited to your background. It may include checking family members and asking questions of neighbors among other things. Background checks can take months to complete.
The first step in applying to work for the CIA is submitting a resume that conforms to a very detailed format that must be followed exactly.
CIA Agent Education and Training
A college degree with a GPA of 3.0 is required while an advanced degree may be considered a factor in awarding promotions and overseas assignments. See: what college courses do you need to have a CIA career?
Fluency in a second language is extremely desirable in applicants for CIA positions and currently middle-eastern languages carry a lot of weight in the hiring process.
Training for a CIA Special Agent lasts 12 months at a facility near Washington, D.C.
Training for new CIA employees now includes video games. This is a new addition to the extensive training program. The CIA understands the toll paid in human life that could be the result of a poorly trained intelligence agent. By adding videos they can train and evaluate trainee capabilities in a virtual world where safety is not an issue.
CIA Agent Salary
A Clandestine Service Trainee will earn between $54,500 and $76,700 with the salary based on their level of qualifications and education. Assignments outside the country vary in salary level depending on geographic location – bonuses may be adjusted by location.
Other benefits include paid moving expenses, health insurance and retirement plans, continuing education programs, holidays, sick leave, and family support including provisions for family-friendly leave.
CIA Career Opportunities
When you work for the CIA you will follow one of five general career paths. These are Science, Engineering and Technical, National Clandestine Service, Language Opportunities, Analytical Opportunities and Support Services.
If you are considering a career as a CIA Operative, you might look into programs offered for undergraduate internships for students, co-ops, and graduate studies programs. All of these offer practical work experience along with education to prepare the student for a career in the CIA.
Take a look at other great Criminal Justice Careers.
{ 58 comments… read them below or add one }
For anyone interested in a in-person seminar specifically on landing a job in the CIA, the Foreign Policy Association is offering one entitled “CIA Careers Decoded” … you can find a link to it at http://www.FPAU.org
Would you have a better chance at working for the CIA or the FBI? I am 16 years old and taking college classes and trying to figure out what I want to do after I graduate. Thanks.
It’s like predicting the weather for the next month. It’s very hard to gauge which agency will have the need to hire agents at the time when you would be even considered. Things like current political affairs, threats to Homeland security, and the rate of retiring special agents has a lot to do with when these two agencies will open their doors to new recruits.
I’m a 35 year old male and I have a interest in CIA career. I worked all my life been working since high school been on my present job now since I graduated in 1994. I wanted to know if CIA has an age limit for entrance thank you.
The CIA hires people of many ages. While certain positions may have age limits, others may not. The best way to find out is to contact CIA recruitment directly.
The age limit is 35 or 36 as far as I know. That’s what a cop told me for career interviews.
the limit of age is 35 but the age limit may be waived in certain uses
Hi, im 13 years old and very interseted in the CIA. I guess i want to be a “spy”.
Im fluent in English, and Urdu which is commonly used in Pakistan. Im a US cittizen my parents or siblings have never had a sip of alcohol or had any drugs. This because it is not allowed in my religion. I was thinking that since Im Muslim, would that increase or decrease my chances to be in the CIA. Or not effect it at all? Also, what should i major in, Criminal Justice? Please help me out! I want to start doing all the things i need to do now so it is not harder in the future. Also, do you think I can be in the CIA? Help me out and thank you for your time.
There’s no say if being Muslim will get you in the CIA or not – it’s all based on the need of the agency at a given time – but Urdu is a great language to speak when considering work in the federal government, especially CIA.
I would love to tell you what you need to do step by step, but that’s not feasible. Try to stay out of trouble, for one. Consider that the CIA hires from the age of 18, college education and other languages are a big plus. As for majoring in Criminal Justice and being a Clandestine Services Operative, I don’t necessarily advocate one degree over another. The CIA updates their requirements, including the desired extras, on their website. You should check it out.
Thanks for your help!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
im 13 years too and i wanna be a spy too.
it dosent matter if you are muslim as long as you are a us citizen.
Hi, I am also 13, and I’m doing a research career paper on the C.I.A Covert Ops division. I’m learning Korean, and I plan to learn Russian, A middle eastern language and a few more. I would love some more information on any details you might have. Or another website would be great thank you.
I’m Conrad (17)from South Africa. I always want to become a CIA special agent or a spy. I’am still in school grade 11. I can speak Afrikaans, English and Sotho. At the moment i learn speak Chinesse and Russian. I have a clean history. I also have training in certian weapons. When i am done with school i going to sign up to become an American. What is my chance of becoming an agent? What must i do more? Thank you.
No one knows what your chances are. It depends on individual or broad criteria. College education is a plus, but careers at the CIA start as early as 18.
I believe you need a 1500 on the SAT 3.0 GPA or better. But since you know all those languages you might be special
Hi my name is Jesse and im currently a freshmen in high school in Colorado. I began to become interested in working for the CIA when i went to D.C and visited the spy museum. I have now began to look further into this carrier and found out I am fully capable of working for the CIA. I play almost every sport there is and im good in all of them; im wondering if my athletic edge will give me heads up. im also wondering what classes should i take in high school/College if i follow this carrier. My grades are great but i need to start learning more languages all i know are English and Spanish. Thanks for taking the time to read this! I hope to hear back!
There are really no classes in high school that can prepare you for the CIA. Very often it is the language skills, the original citizenship and knowledge of your own country, and definitely interpersonal skills — even the way you look — that the CIA is interested in. Yes, high school grades may be important, and yes, there can be some classes that can help you delve into new realms, but those classes are usually in college and not high school. Languages, Psychology, Political Science, History (of a specific country that CIA has important operations in – turn on the TV to find that out ), and other courses can be useful. Physical aptitude can help.
My name is Michael and I would like a career in the CIA as a Clandestine Services Core Collector. Would you please e-mail me information on this, and also how to get into the CIA. For instance do I need to get a masters in criminal justice?
Michael,
The CIA’s Clandestine Service Core Collector (CO) is a very interesting career path. I don’t have direct access to the CIA, but you can go to CIA.GOV to find out more information. Find out here –> what courses and degree programs does CIA prefer?
All the best,
Radek
you can get a bachelors degree and still go to the cia
Hi im 15 im from new york and im interested in becoming something in the criminal justice field like csi agent or detective but i dont know which is better and i would like to know if being a female decreases your chances in becoming a detective because ive never really heard of a female doing that career im sure there’s some but ive never heard or seen. Im fluent in Spanish and English i know a lot of Italian im not fluent but i do know most of it and i know sign language (i doubt that’s needed though) also how many years of collage do you need for this career?
1. Yes females are an integral part of law enforcement and there are a lot of female detectives. You should check out some cable/satellite reality crime TV shows to see what the job consists off (featuring female detectives).
2. You language skills are very helpful (Spanish is a great asset).
3. Some careers may require no college at the time of application and others, like at many federal law enforcement agencies, you will need a college degree (ie. Bachelors).
Hey,
going with the questions here, I want to know how I can make my resume better. I am currently 18 years old, a first year college student, and a biology nutrition double major. My first semester GPA was a 4.0. I can also read, write and speak Urdu fluently. By birth I’m American though and have strong pride in my country. How do I get myself noticed?
strong academics, great interpersonal skills, knowledge of other cultures and languages, and of course… apply for the position. I’m sure there’s more.
Could you please help me out? I know that I am interested in doing “spy” work, but I’m confused. What is the difference between a core collector, operations officer, and collection management officer? Thanks for your help.
visit the CIA website for more info. Their site is rich in information you seek.
I am interested in the CIA because it runs in my blood. I hope I pass my tests so I can be of help to my government.
Hi, I am interested in becoming a member of the CIA. I am just a freshman in high school but I do imagine there are training programs for people/students of my age. I am currently doing 3 sports in school and I have decent grades(3.4-3.7). I am athletic and feel like I am qualified (sounds cheezy doesn’t it?) haha. I took a course of Japanese in 7th grade and got familiar with the language. But then my school district took it out and now only offer Spanish and German which Is ok but I really liked learning Japanese. Ive never done drugs and the only time I’ve ever had alcoholic anything is at church In one of those tiny plastic cups for communion soo Im pretty
sure I’m clean. (make that “I’m positive I’m clean). I have no criminal record and neither do my parents.
Quick question: Exactly what does the CIA Special Agents do? I am a freshman at pvamu considering the criminal justice field especially becoming an CIA Agent.
Thanks in advance,
Olandra
Best place to find out is cia.gov — only don’t be surprised the position is not under “CIA Agent.”
Greetings.
I’m currently in college, and working my way in obtaining in a major in business and theatrical arts. I was curious, since I am not undergoing a degree in Criminal Justice, will this in anyway hinder my chances to become involved with the NCS?
I’m economically smart, socially skilled, and have great interest in political affairs. I’m also fluent in a foreign language, and in great physical shape.
Also, Redek, have you been employed by an intelligence agency before? That’s just out of my curiosity
Thanks in advance,
Rick.
I am a 17 year old and I realized that I want to be in the CIA. Two years ago my uncle referred me to the CIA and they looked at my transcripts and apparently they were amazed with me. I speak over ten languages. I speak English, Spanish, German, French, Russian, Chinese, Arabic, Urdu, Japanese and Korean. I am also able to interpret sign language. I have a clean record throughout my whole life. I also have only went to pretentious schools and kept a 4.0 throughout my whole school career. I also am a third degree black belt in Tajustu, Karate, Tae Kwon Do and Jujitsu. I also am trained in weaponry and a sharpshooter. I could not have been able to get here without my uncle’s help and I really appreciate it. All I have to say is don’t give up on your dreams.
LOL
.. you had me at pretentious.
Oh my god you are awesome! how did you get all the time to do this. When did you start learning all those languages and where and how did you learn them? Please tell me
Lies
what is the central intelligence agency campus and by me being a fighter and I’ve did karate for 9 years and kung fu for 6 and i handle weapons all the time when it n danger but ive always make good grades and im very smart.will that increase my chance of being in the CIA but i really want to be a assassin.
Okay yeah, I’ve been to the CIA.gov website a bunch of times, I still don’t know exactly what job I should take. I wanted to be a “spy” or “secret agent” one that gets all the action and gets to go undercover. I think I want to be in the Clandestine Services but what else? Someone please explain. I’m almost 13 and ever since I was 9 I have wanted to be in the CIA, I’m taking Spanish next year because my school doesn’t provide any other languages. When I pass Spanish I can take any other language class in high school. I was in martial arts, I got my blue belt but I can’t find another place to finish my black belt. I plan on learning kickboxing, and more, I am going to take a speech and debate class in high school. I don’t know what else to do. I plan on learning at least 8 different languages, and going to college. I’m in an advanced Algebra class next year, and in an advanced English class. I need to know what I should major in and what classes I should take in high school and college. I don’t need to be told, “doesn’t matter just have a 3.0 or better.” I want to have some recommendations so I know what to do, my best friend wants to room with me in college but she thinks she wants to be a model or actress or athlete or something she isn’t really sure so I don’t know how my desired career fits with hers. PLEASE HELP!! Oh and I got ISS for kicking a kid in the beginning of the school year, would that effect anything? Oh and are there any summer camps to train for the CIA, for kids and stuff?? And due to the fact that I’m a girl no one thinks I can make it in the CIA, when I tell some one that’s what I want to do, they say fat chance. I know I’m going to get in the CIA, doesn’t matter what I have to do.
That’s a handful… I think, since CIA hires from the age of 18 (usually a non-college-graduate age), that they are looking for more than good grades. I mentioned some of the things in the comments throughout the page, but CIA provides great hints at what it wants on their website. You should check it out again. Don’t just skim it over..
I am a freshman in college still undecided with my major…. I have been thinking about Criminology (closest my school has to criminal justice). What do you think of this major in conjunction with a minor in a language? I am already semi-fluent in German but I am not sure if that is a particularly valued language with the CIA.
I think Criminology would probably be better than Criminal Justice, but be aware that the CIA is a different breed of agency. It wants people with all types of skills, and that includes all types of academic and professional backgrounds.
i was wondering if there was a mix of undercover or “spy” work and engineering in any criminal justice jobs i think im going to major in criminal justice and minor get an associates in some kind of engineering.
Just curious im an adult college student 34 going to be majoring in business admin. taking judo as well hopefully. Both parents of mine were in state govt jobs for 30 years. Does your parents past connections and occupations help with the CIA ‘s decision in your employment? I just wanna serve doesnt have to be an agent but just anything. Parents know the states top people well and was just curious if that has any impact in their background checks? Also can you work for them if you have a heart murmur? even a minor one? The serving thing its family tradition. So i ve always wanted to be in some kind of govt job.
Also im not the greatest at lying. Grew up mennonite but from a mennonite/military/navy/govt family. Yeah i know weird combo lol. Can you just be a regular person at the CIA?
Hey I don’t speak any other languages besides English and a little Spanish I am very athletic and smart i am a second degree black belt in karate and I don’t know what else I need to do to become a CIA agent.
With exceptional grades in your Major of choice, fluency in a foreign language, writing skills, and interpersonal skills, would this alone qualify someone for a position (clandestine or otherwise) within the CIA upon graduation from college, even without significant work experience? Thank you for any feedback.
Looking to apply for the CIA but not sure what type of drug testing Is performed urine blood or hair testing. Can someone help me? Thanks
If you are joining the CIA just to be an “assassin” then I suggest you don’t even bother applying. You gotta realize that what you see in movies may or may not be necessarily how the agency does it in real life. Even then, the movies glamorize killing, but have you ever done it. Seeing someone die on t.v. is one thing, but pulling the trigger on someone in real life is entirely different. Think that over before you apply.
Thanks for saying this, I was thinking the same thing from reading the posts. It’s not a game, it’s real life and people shouldn’t join just to be a gun-toting killer.
Hey at 17 i am an IB senior. I don’t have glorified dreams of being an assassin or a spy, but i would love to help in the ways I can. The problem is i can’t apply for the student program at the time because of the fact that you have to be 18 by April 1rst of your senior year, and my birthday is a couple months after. Born and raised in the U.S, both my parents belong to the Military, specifically the Air force. I am not asking my chances, because from reading above it is all circumstantial. However it mentions on their site that to be an investigator you must have at least three years of prior experience with complex cases. Now I don’t mind working my way up from the streets but what if you aren’t assigned complicated investigations, either due to a lull in crime, or the area you belong too? Would it count if you were under their internship for the summer between classes? Particularly if you wish to specialize in homicide or the like. Speaking of which, i guess i truly have to wait until after a turn 18 turn apply for an internship because they are not going to wave that through, huh? I wanted to get an early as possible start, though for investigation i may have to work up from police officer anyway. I know the degree doesn’t matter, but botany isn’t high on their list. So would it beneficial to double Major Criminal Justice and Botany and minor in some form of engineering? Sorry, sorry. So many questions, so little text box, and it seems very few people answering. So i will wait for my turn and reply. Best of luck to all who read this, and those who don’t!”
hi i need to ask any Asians or Pakistani can also apply or not. im 20 n ready to work in any part of world especially pakistan as a spy or detective or any post
I would think that Asians or Pakistani natives / speakers would be permitted to apply. As for the second part, that all depends on agency needs.
I’m just about to ETS out of the Army. I am currently deployed in afghanistan and i have a special interest in this line of work to make it a career. I was wondering if the CIA usually hires EX military with a secret security clearance?
Im a sophomore, I’m really interested in working for the CIA, but I don’t know which area I want to go. I either want to do clandestine service, because from looking at the website it seems like they are the ones in the middle of the action, and I like that, but at the same time, my family was directly affected by 9-11 (my dad worked at the hotel in between the towers) and I feel like I almost have to something in counterterrorism. Do they overlap at all? Which should I choose?
I’m a high school freshman and am interested in becoming a CIA core collector/ operations officer or sso-t when I grow up. I have a 4.2 GPA at the moment and am learning to be fluent in Hebrew. I am very experienced in professional acting and am learning Krav Maga. I plan on learning Urdu and/or Arabic other languages. I’m intermediate in Spanish also, from school. I don’t play any sports, but I might start doing cross country. I am also highly skilled with recording and A/V equipment. Am I a good fit for these positions and if not what can I do to be a better fit. Also, is a major in international affairs in college good because I might plan to major in that?
Hello, I have completed my Bachelors degree in information science and I did a module called competitive intelligence where we looked at the information of our competitors and applied it to gain competitive intelligence. When I completed this module I realized that I actually enjoy gathering information and analyzing it to get actionable intelligence. I am interested in working for the CIA what should I do to be part of it?
Hello,
I’m currently 28 and have a BS in Psychology. I graduated Summa Cum Laude at the top of my class with a 3.8 GPA. I will be finished with my Master’s in Cyber-security in 2 years. I am taking Chinese classes but not sure whether I will be fluent. I have great analytical and interpersonal skills. I have interest in either being an Intelligence Officer, Information Assurance or working in the Clandestine Support Services. I am currently making about 80k a year at my current job. Do you see me having trouble getting into the CIA at the age of 30 and with my experience? What can I do to set myself aside from the younger people just now graduating or those who’ve been in the field a very long time?
Thanks so much for this feed!
Yolanda
i keep seeing that excellent communication skills are needed for becoming a CIA agent, im not exactly a “social butterfly” but that doesn’t mean i cant have good communication skills, right? my view on communications skills was your ability to communicate a point clearly with out creating problems with a good understanding of the other person’s ideas and what they are talking about. so what exactly is the CIA looking for when they ask for communication skills or interpersonal skills? also, how many languages does the average CIA agent speak? if you need a more specific branch, i have been looking into the clandestine service and i think im interested in the operations officer but im still in high school so i have plenty of time to change my mind
ps – i have found your website SO useful, thanks!!
I’m 18 and unlike everyone i wasn’t really planning on getting into all this, but i am interested. I don’t have really high accolades compared to a lot of these people, all i have really going for me is that i’m mexican american so yes i know spanish fluently and english of course, i’m athletic and fit and played basketball for 9 years, and to describe myself in 3 words would be tough, passionate, and loyal person. Though it seems none of that seems to really help my case, i did do some research and the field i was most interested in was Paramilitary Operations Officers. So my first question is if there are women in this field, and if so how do you get qualified for this field? my second question is that I took off a semester of school and will be starting up again in the fall at a junior college, but for that field can you give me a few suggestions of what i should major in this would help a lot. thank you
I am currently an undecided major.. Not quite sure which area of field I want to go in.. But i was curious if the CIA accepts people with a liberal arts degree??
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