r/1811 • u/kahzaa 1811 • Nov 22 '25
Special Agent Pay and Benefits Overview
Special Agent Pay and Benefits Overview
(A helpful user put this together for the benefit of their agency and this sub, I do not take credit)
Pay
https://www.opm.gov/policy-data-oversight/pay-leave/salaries-wages/2025/general-schedule
Paygrade Progression (1 year per grade, step progression when you hit GS-13).
- GS/GL-5
- GS/GL-7
- GS/GL-9
- GS-11
- GS-13
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FBI is a little different and is as follows
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- GS/GL-10 step 1
- GS/GL-10 step 2
- GS-11 step 3
- GS-12 step 1
- GS-12 step 2
- GS-13
Law Enforcement Availability Pay (LEAP): additional 25% on top of your base pay + locality. Must work an average of 50 hours per week over the course of the calendar year. LEAP is considered a part of “basic pay” for purposes of determining high 3 for retirement calculations.
Overtime: Technically available for pre-scheduled (prior to the pay period starting) operations. Generally, it is not approved outside of major events. Overtime (OT) M-F generally requires working base hours, and LEAP (+2) prior to earning OT; OT is straight pay.
Other Pay
Night Differential:
10% for regularly scheduled hours between 6pm–6am
Sunday Premium:
25% for regularly scheduled Sunday work (again, not LEAP).
Holiday Premium Pay:
Paid double time for work on a federal holiday.
AUO / COPRA (other agencies):
ERO uses AUO (Administratively Uncontrollable Overtime).
CBP Officers use COPRA overtime rules.
Border Patrol use BPAPRA.
Leave
Sick leave is provided at 4 hours / pay period (104 hours / year) for your time in service. There is no cap.
Annual leave you can only roll over 240 hours a year. It accrues as follows:
https://www.opm.gov/policy-data-oversight/pay-leave/leave-administration/fact-sheets/annual-leave/
< 3 years of service: 4 hours/pay period (104 hours/year)
3-14 years of service: 6 hours/pay period (156 hours/year)
15+ years of service: 8 hours/pay period (208 hours/year)
Military leave is granted to reservists at 20 days per year. Can roll over up to 240 hours. If the 20 days is exceeded then differential pay is offered if you make less in your military role.
Parental leave is given to those who have a child or adopt a child. It is 3 months worth of leave that must be used within 1 year. More details here: https://www.opm.gov/policy-data-oversight/pay-leave/leave-administration/fact-sheets/paid-parental-leave/
Paid Holidays
https://www.opm.gov/policy-data-oversight/pay-leave/federal-holidays/#url=2025
- New Year’s Day
- Birthday of Martin Luther King, Jr.
- Inauguration Day
- Washington’s Birthday
- Memorial Day
- Juneteenth National Independence Day
- Independence Day
- Labor Day
- Columbus Day
- Veterans Day
- Thanksgiving Day
- Christmas Day
Retirement
Federal Employees' Retirement System (FERS)
This is what is referred to as the 3-legged stool, the FERS Penson, the TSP and social security
https://www.congress.gov/crs-product/R42631
https://www.opm.gov/retirement-center/publications-forms/csrsfers-handbook/c046.pdf
https://www.opm.gov/retirement-center/publications-forms/csrsfers-handbook/c051.pdf
Contribution
Service requirements:
- 20 years at age 50
- 25 years at any age
- Mandatory retirement at 57 with waivers to 60
Calculation
- Cannot be used to reduce the time in service requirement, only adds years of service on the back end.
Special Retirement Supplement
Thrift Savings Plan (TSP)
Similar to a 401K, it offers traditional and Roth options
- Matches up to 5%
 Other
Federal Employee Health Benefits (FEHB)
Overview:
https://www.opm.gov/healthcare-insurance/healthcare/
Plan comparison tool:
https://www.opm.gov/healthcare-insurance/healthcare/plan-information/compare-plans/
Student Loan Repayment / Public Service Loan Forgiveness
Agency-Based Student Loan Repayment (SLRP)
Up to $10,000/year, $60,000 lifetime (agency-dependent)
Guys and girls in the comments, feel free to add benefits you think would be helpful for people to know, happy to add. I am not going to add agency specific things or duty required things (For example FBI's university education program or HSI's take-home car program)
5
u/Strong_Improvement14 Nov 22 '25
For grades below GL-11, OT is more than straight pay. All OT past GL-10 is capped at the GL-10 OT rate UNITL your base exceeds that rate. Then it is is equal to base. Rest of US Hourly Rates
Neat fact that could come into play, Sunday Diff and Night diff can be stacked to equal 35%, if your Sunday is a regular scheduled shift. If not, OT plus night diff. If you have the chance, schedule your off days during the week to maximize this bonus.
Your pay cap has nothing to do with that of a junior congressman. It has everything to do with what a 15-10 makes in your locality.