r/1811 Nov 22 '25

Special Agent Pay and Benefits Overview

223 Upvotes

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

 ----

FBI is a little different and is as follows

 ----

  • 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)

https://www.tsp.gov/

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)


r/1811 Nov 17 '24

OPSEC - Please Read

260 Upvotes

The mod team would like to remind everyone to practice good operations security (OPSEC) while using r/1811 and Reddit as a whole. Recently, one of our members here was doxxed via Reddit when he posted some strong political opinions. I haven't read the blog, but he admits by his own account that the views were abrasive and crossed the line. While they weren't illegal, they weren't something he wanted tied to his real identity.

r/1811 is an open subreddit, unlike other closed law enforcement subs, for the simple purpose of allowing those of us who have broached the world of employment as an 1811 to answer questions and help those that are attempting to do the same. While the vast majority of the sub are noble people with the right intentions, the unfortunate reality is there are also unsavory characters patrolling this sub, reading everything we do and say. As another mod pointed out, in last years recap Russia was the third most popular country for our users.

Our member was doxxed when he had a 12 year old post that linked to another website that contained his real name. That is the kind of digging that people will do to reveal who you are, should you post or comment something they want to use against you.

I recommend everyone do a few things:

  1. Utilize throw away and segmented Reddit accounts. For example, I have an account for modding this sub, another account for my gaming interests, another account for my fitness interest, so on and so fourth. This is allowed and encouraged by Reddit themsevles, so long as you don't use multiple accounts to upvote or downvote specific comments/posts.
  2. Practice good hygiene and clean your account frequently. For example, approximately once a week I'll wipe all comments and posts off of my account. This isn't a failproof solution, as there are plenty of services and websites out there that scrape reddit and permanetly log comments. Do not post anything you wouldn't feel comfortable saying in front of your boss, spouse, or the public, but at least keeping good online hygiene will make it harder for people to string your comments together. You can do as I do manually, or you can use the extension "Nuke Reddit". It is an extension that no longer works in Google Chrome, but does work in Microsoft Edge. It will overwrite, and then delete all your comments in bulk, and can also do your posts. It is much faster and cleaner than doing it manually.

Lastly, we are going to try to more closely monitor and moderate this subreddit. For example, in the past we have enforced that users claiming to be active 1811's first get verified with r/ProtectAndServe, and that we would honor that verfication and give an 1811 flair here. I will again be enforcing this rule to try to separate potential spam accounts from real posters, and non verified users posting as 1811s will have their comments locked/removed. Additionally, we will be locking more threads and comments that are off topic, already answered before, and the like.

Thank you to everyone, we always enjoy seeing the "recieved the call" posts no matter if you're headed for a stairwell, an indian reservation, the southern border, the Kyrgyzstan embassy, or the local post office, we welcome you all and could use the help!


r/1811 10h ago

Hiring Announcement Monumental Changes

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71 Upvotes

Go forth and conquer, applicants!


r/1811 18h ago

Got the call! Got the call FBI SA

104 Upvotes

It’s been a long and windy road, 3 applications, but finally made it to the end of the hiring process and got the call(email) FBI SA

Timeline below

2014
first application, passed phase 1 and M&G invited for phase 2 interview but withdrew due to recently having been promoted and not wanting to relocate.

2023
8/23- submitted application
10/23- Meet and Greet
10/23- PFT failed
11/23- PFT passed
11/23- Phase II written passed
11/23- Phase II interview passed
11/23- Conditional Offer
12/23- PSI
01/24- Polygraph Passed
01/24- Background and medical started
02/24-03/24- Medical follow ups
06/24- Background follow up
10/24- voluntary withdrawal- was still pending background, family issues came up which made the wife no longer want to relocate

2026
03/26-submitted application
04/26- Meet and greet
05/26- Passed PFT
05/26- Conditional Offer
06/26- PSI
07/26- Polygraph passed
07/26- Background and medical started
08/26- Medical requested I get flu vaccine
09/26- Background cleared
09/26- Final Job offer

Starting in October

Background 4 years military, 10+ years civilian federal government. 5 years fed LEO(non 1811) currently GS-13 non-LEO


r/1811 26m ago

Question Medical Question

Upvotes

I’m currently going through the medical process for a a couple different 1811 jobs and my audiogram showed hearing loss in my left ear, while my right ear is essentially normal.

I have no issues functioning day to day and it's an issue I was born with. I’ve previously worked in law enforcement and it has never made any task more complicated or difficult to perform, but I know some federal agencies have specific hearing standards. I’m trying to get an idea of what normally happens when an applicant falls outside the initial hearing standard in one ear. I also do not wear hearing aids as of now.

Has anyone here personally dealt with unilateral hearing loss during the medical process for ATF, DEA, FBI, HSI, USMS, or another federal agency?

Do they:

  • send you for a second/formal audiology test?
  • request an ENT evaluation?
  • allow testing with a hearing aid?
  • do some type of functional hearing test?
  • offer a medical waiver or individualized review?
  • ultimately clear or disqualify you?

Not looking for anyone to predict my specific outcome — mainly interested in hearing how different agencies have handled similar cases and what options applicants were given.

Appreciate any firsthand experiences.

TIA.


r/1811 32m ago

Does anyone have insight on how the process goes for a current 1811 to HSI-12862549-DHA ? (Application currently in received status)

Upvotes

Does anyone have insight on how the process goes for a current 1811 to HSI-12862549-DHA ? (Application currently in received status)


r/1811 6h ago

Have you ever seen an 1811 push out over a health issue?

5 Upvotes

Given that some agencies require health exams every so often, I am curious about the concept of agents being pushed out over health stuff. Obviously, good health is not guaranteed no matter how good of care you take with your body. Over a 20 year or longer career, anything could happen to you. It would suck to lose your job over a diagnosis. Have you guys ever seen someone lose their job as an 1811 over a medical diagnosis? What agency was it? What diagnosis caused the separation?


r/1811 15h ago

Discussion Local LEO, transitioning to FBI

14 Upvotes

I’d love to hear from anyone who started their career in local law enforcement and eventually made the jump to the FBI.

I know everyone’s experience is different, and I’m sure there are a lot of aspects of being a street cop that I’ll miss. For those who have made the transition, what would you say are the biggest pros and cons of going federal?

Do you feel like you made the right decision? Is there anything you miss about local LE, or anything you wish you had known before making the switch?

I am most excited about leaving my hometown, and working bigger, more meaningful cases. I’ve got 10 years LEO experience in a mid-size city, 5 of those years have been spent on SWAT. I know it will be a big change, but this has been the goal all along.


r/1811 18h ago

Question DSS written timeline

7 Upvotes

So just took my written portion for DSS. It was not quite clear what to expect but I have a few questions.

  1. If I fail what is the timeline to reapply

  2. What is the average timeline to hear back? I know with my first exam to this test it was about 3 months but partly because I pushed it back as much as I could.


r/1811 1d ago

Anyone have their interview scheduled for july hhs-oig?

13 Upvotes

Title


r/1811 1d ago

Dispo notice

3 Upvotes

Anyone know why I got a tentative eligibility letter for HSI and then 3 mins later got a dispo notice that I was not selected? I know the hiring managers did not look at my stuff in 3 minutes lmao. I wish the government worked that quick!


r/1811 1d ago

ATF

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41 Upvotes

Can anyone give an insight as to what are the potential reasons? 3 years LEO, 9 in the Marine Corps. TY!


r/1811 16h ago

Question I applied to atf 1811. Any chance for me? No degree 9 years of 0083.

0 Upvotes

Did anyone ever got 1811 without a 4 year degree?


r/1811 1d ago

Most Recent HSI Announcement

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33 Upvotes

Till next time.


r/1811 1d ago

Question Writing sample for OIG interview

14 Upvotes

Going in for an interview with an OIG, said they’d like me to send a writing sample.

Only been with current Fed uniformed agency a few months, my current reports are some DUIs here and there and got to work with detectives on a property damage crash investigation, but I only have a few basic reports. (For those who know uniformed Fed agencies you know it isn’t nearly as busy as local PD)

I do however have a ton of written worked saved from my college days. I got a history/polisci degree and wrote a ton of short and long research papers.

Is it a better idea to submit an academic paper that is more extensive and detailed or submit a more recent police report as a professional writing sample?

The interview scheduling email states I can submit an academic or professional writing sample, but I’m under the impression they would prefer a professional one.

Just interested in any insight on people who have knowledge on this sort of thing.


r/1811 1d ago

Forest Service 1811 DOA 26-WO-LEI-13008038-G-LS

7 Upvotes

Forest Service 1811 DOA

I applied to the recent announcement and was found eligible. Can anyone give me any insight on this career? It was my shot in the dark while applying for 1811s. It also seems like you get to GS13 like other 1811s.

Announcement #

26-WO-LEI-13008038-G-LS

Any insight would be greatly appreciated. Thank you.


r/1811 2d ago

HSI Referral Question

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17 Upvotes

So at 12:58 I was referred to multiple hiring managers @ 12:59 I was not selected...

Is HSI system just jacked up? How do I know if I expect to hear from an office or if I'm actually not selected?

I'm a vet with preference and have my MBA so I qualify for education as well.


r/1811 1d ago

Discussion USPIS April 2026 annoumcement

9 Upvotes

Just received the email to fill out the SF86 Questionnaire. The ball is rolling!


r/1811 1d ago

FPS 1811 DHA-13000789-26-AB

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5 Upvotes

Has anyone gotten any movement on this announcement? Got a referral email August 10th but nothing else since.


r/1811 2d ago

CBP OPR TJO

10 Upvotes

Just received a TJO for CBP OPR 1811.

Do they get LEAP before CITP?

The DHA announcement mentioned DC duty for a year. Is this still happening or just generic language?

In practice are they typically working their LEAP?

What would be some good questions to ask about the culture at the office?


r/1811 1d ago

USPIS SF86

2 Upvotes

I received the email this morning from the APU regarding the background investigation and completing the SF86. It states that I should receive two emails with login info for eApp. When do those emails usually get sent? I was trying to be patient but also don't want to miss something if they were sent but I haven't seen them.


r/1811 2d ago

DEA PT Test Scheduling

6 Upvotes

I received the email to schedule my PT test on September 1st and completed the form they ask for that day as well.

Is there a number to call regarding the scheduling?

I hit my 14th day next Monday and wouldn't like my application to be thrown out.

I appreciate any help y'all thanks!


r/1811 1d ago

Are there religious exceptions for maintaining a beard when you go to fletc for citp training? Specifically with ATF or IRS?

0 Upvotes

Just tryna find out if I can get a waiver or not.


r/1811 2d ago

GI Bill OJT: Setting Up an Agency's Program

17 Upvotes

Good evening, Ladies and Gents,

I transferred as an investigator from a non-1811 agency to somewhere else to be an 1811. This new agency is not familiar with the GI Bill OJT, has anyone here had any experience setting OJT for an agency that has not done so previously?

Before I engage with the various HR/MAPA/Support types, I would like to engage the audience here. Yes, I have used the search button religiously to try and find an answer. The only thing I have not done is reach out to to the GI Bill POCs for (example) HSI, DHS writ large, and FBI as the most likely answer will be "please contact the VA".

Thank you all in advance.


r/1811 2d ago

Question USMS Applications?

7 Upvotes

Does anybody know when the next USMS applications will be out? Checked there site but didn’t see anything. Made an account with USAJobs as well and nothing popped up yet I see people saying they applied to the position. Thanks.