If you’re searching “ICE officer salaries,” the most accurate answer is: it depends on the job series (role), grade/step, and duty location—because ICE pay is largely built on federal pay systems (GS/GL), plus locality pay and (for some positions) law-enforcement add-ons.
Here’s what’s visible right now in January 2026 through official federal pay tables and current ICE-related job postings.
1) Entry-level ICE Deportation Officer pay (2026 posting)
A current USAJOBS announcement for ICE Deportation Officer (ERO) lists:
- Salary: $51,632 to $84,277 per year
- Pay scale & grade: GL 5–7
- Open dates: January 8, 2026 to September 30, 2026
- Promotion potential: 12
That posting also shows many duty locations nationwide, which matters because locality pay and other adjustments can shift total compensation by area.
2) Supervisory ICE officer pay can reach six figures (and higher)
ICE supervisory roles often land at higher GS grades. For example, an ICE USAJOBS posting for a Supervisory Detention and Deportation Officer (GS-14) lists:
- Salary: $129,258 to $192,275 per year
- Grade: GS-14
- Open dates: January 10, 2026 to January 26, 2026
This is a good illustration of how ICE pay scales upward with seniority, grade, and (often) specialized responsibilities.
3) Why “ICE officer salary” isn’t one number
Most ICE roles tie into federal pay frameworks, where your compensation is driven by:
A) Grade and step (GS/GL)
Federal pay isn’t a single salary—it’s a matrix: grade (level) × step (within-grade progression).
To see how locality affects pay, OPM’s 2026 locality tables show, for example, in the Washington-Baltimore-Arlington (DCB) area:
- GS-13 Step 1: $121,785 (effective January 2026)
- GS-14 Step 1: $143,913 (effective January 2026)
Those numbers vary by locality area across the country, and OPM publishes the full set annually.
B) Locality pay (location-based)
OPM also publishes separate Law Enforcement Officer (LEO) locality pay tables used for covered LEO roles.
C) Special salary rate tables (recruitment/retention)
Some law-enforcement positions can be covered by OPM special rate tables (higher-than-standard rates). OPM’s 2026 special rate guidance explains that special salary rates are used when recruitment/retention problems exist.
Notably, OPM’s Special Rate Table L018 explicitly lists DHS coverage that includes ICE positions such as:
- GS-1811 Special Agents
- GS-1801 Deportation Officers
- GS-1801 Detention and Deportation Officers
- GS-1801 Technical Enforcement Officers
4) LEAP can add 25% for certain criminal investigator roles
If you’re looking at ICE special agent / criminal investigator-type roles (commonly in the 1811 job series across federal law enforcement), there’s a major pay add-on called Law Enforcement Availability Pay (LEAP).
OPM states availability pay is fixed at 25% of a criminal investigator’s rate of basic pay.
Quick example (how LEAP changes the number)
Using the 2026 DCB table as an example:
- GS-13 Step 1 (DCB): $121,785
- LEAP (25%): +$30,446 (approx.)
- Estimated total with LEAP: ~$152,231 (before other limits/adjustments)
That’s why searches for “ICE agent salary” often show higher totals than base GS/GL figures alone—but LEAP eligibility depends on the position and requirements.
5) 2026 recruiting news: bonuses can also matter
Beyond pay tables, recent reporting indicates ICE recruiting has emphasized incentives—reportedly including signing bonuses up to $50,000 as part of a broader hiring push.
(Always verify bonuses on the specific posting or official hiring material—bonus availability can vary by role, timing, and location.)
How to estimate an ICE officer salary (fast method)
- Find the exact job title on USAJOBS (e.g., Deportation Officer, Detention & Deportation Officer, Special Agent/Criminal Investigator).
- Note the pay plan + grade (GS/GL) and promotion potential.
- Identify the duty location (locality area).
- Check OPM’s 2026 pay tables (GS and/or LEO), and then see whether an OPM special rate table applies (e.g., L018 coverage includes ICE roles).
- If the job is a qualifying criminal investigator role, add LEAP (25%).
FAQ (SEO)
How much do ICE deportation officers make in 2026?
A current USAJOBS posting lists $51,632–$84,277 for Deportation Officer (GL 5–7).
Do ICE officers get locality pay?
Many ICE jobs follow federal locality pay rules, and OPM publishes 2026 locality pay tables (including LEO-specific locality tables for covered roles).
Do ICE special agents get extra pay for hours?
Criminal investigator roles may qualify for LEAP, which OPM describes as 25% of basic pay (subject to rules/limits).
What’s the highest ICE salary range you can see right now?
A current ICE USAJOBS posting for a GS-14 supervisory role lists up to $192,275.
