🟢 Status: OPEN — TSA Posts Periodically | Nationwide (Multiple Field Offices) | Source: USAJOBS.gov
TSA Federal Air Marshal Jobs 2026 — SV-G to SV-I | $63K–$130K+/yr | Nationwide | Apply USAJOBS
The Federal Air Marshal Service (FAMS) is the Transportation Security Administration’s elite law enforcement arm — and one of the most unique federal law enforcement careers available. Federal Air Marshals (FAMs) fly aboard commercial aircraft in plainclothes, blending in with passengers to protect flights from acts of terrorism, air piracy, and criminal activity. It is a career that demands exceptional judgment, physical fitness, and discretion. In 2026, the TSA periodically opens Federal Air Marshal positions to qualified U.S. citizens through USAJOBS, with starting salaries at the SV-G pay band — $63,163 to $82,108 per year base, with significant locality pay additions depending on your assigned field office.
FAMs progress through pay bands SV-G, SV-H, and SV-I as they advance in experience and responsibilities. Senior Air Marshals at SV-I can earn over $130,000 per year with locality adjustments. TSA does not post FAM positions on a continuous basis — openings are driven by staffing needs — so monitoring USAJOBS.gov and jobs.tsa.gov is essential to catch an active announcement.
Job Overview
| Field | Details |
|---|---|
| Job Title | Federal Air Marshal |
| Agency | Transportation Security Administration (TSA) |
| Department | Department of Homeland Security (DHS) |
| Division | Federal Air Marshal Service (FAMS) |
| Job Series | SV-1801 General Inspection, Investigation, Enforcement, and Compliance Series |
| Location | Washington, DC area and major field offices (Atlanta, Chicago, Dallas, Los Angeles, New York, Miami) |
| Work Schedule | Full-Time; irregular travel-heavy schedule including nights, weekends, and international flights |
| Appointment Type | Permanent — Excepted Service (TSA uses its own pay system) |
| Pay Scale & Grade | SV-G (entry), SV-H (journey), SV-I (senior) |
| Salary Range | $63,163 – $130,000+/yr depending on band and locality |
| Locality Pay | Significant locality adjustments — New York and San Francisco offices add 30–40%+ above base |
| Uniform Allowance | Annual clothing/equipment allowance provided |
| Who May Apply | U.S. Citizens — Open to Public (when announcement is posted) |
| Age Requirement | Must be 21–37 years old at time of appointment (Law Enforcement age limit) |
| Security Clearance | Top Secret / SCI |
| Drug Test | Required |
| Polygraph | Required |
| Mobility Agreement | Required — must be willing to relocate and travel extensively |
| Apply Now | Search Current FAM Openings on USAJOBS |
About the Federal Air Marshal Role
Federal Air Marshals work undercover on domestic and international commercial flights, operating in plainclothes with concealed weapons. Unlike most federal law enforcement officers, FAMs rarely identify themselves — their effectiveness depends on anonymity. On any given flight, passengers have no idea a Federal Air Marshal may be seated among them.
The role requires extraordinary composure. FAMs must be capable of neutralizing a threat in the confined, crowded environment of a commercial aircraft without endangering innocent passengers — making judgment, marksmanship, and decision-making under pressure the most critical skills in this career. FAMs receive extensive training at the Federal Law Enforcement Training Center (FLETC) in Artesia, NM, covering firearms, defensive tactics, aircraft-specific law enforcement procedures, and behavioral detection.
Beyond flights, FAMs also participate in ground-based security operations, work with international aviation security partners, support intelligence operations, and assist other federal agencies during high-threat national security events.
“Federal Air Marshals are the last line of defense against criminal and terrorist threats aboard commercial aircraft.” — Transportation Security Administration
Key Duties & Responsibilities
- Fly as an undercover law enforcement officer on commercial domestic and international flights
- Detect and neutralize threats to aviation security including terrorism, air piracy, and violent crimes
- Conduct behavioral threat assessments of passengers and crew members
- Coordinate with TSA, FBI, and international law enforcement on intelligence-based threat operations
- Maintain undercover status and adapt to dynamic, high-pressure in-flight environments
- Perform firearms qualification and tactical training on a regular schedule
- Support ground security operations at airports during special security events
- Prepare detailed incident reports following any security events or use-of-force incidents
- Participate in joint training exercises with other federal law enforcement agencies
- Assist with intelligence gathering and reporting on aviation security vulnerabilities
Qualifications & Requirements
| Requirement | Details |
|---|---|
| Education | Bachelor’s degree from an accredited college OR 3 years of general work experience (or combination) |
| Experience | 1 year specialized experience in law enforcement, security, military, or related field |
| Citizenship | U.S. Citizen |
| Age | Must be 21–37 at time of appointment (maximum entry age 37 per law enforcement mandatory retirement law) |
| Driver’s License | Valid driver’s license required |
| Security Clearance | Must obtain and maintain Top Secret/SCI clearance |
| Polygraph | Required as part of background investigation |
| Medical Exam | Must pass comprehensive medical and psychological evaluation |
| Drug Test | Pre-employment and random testing throughout career |
| Firearms | Must qualify with TSA-issued firearm and maintain annual qualification standards |
| Selective Service | Male applicants born after 12/31/1959 must be registered |
Career Ladder & Salary by Pay Band
| Pay Band | GS Equivalent | Base Salary Range | With Locality (NYC/DC example) |
|---|---|---|---|
| SV-G (Entry) | GS-11/12 | $63,163 – $82,108 | ~$80K – $107K+ |
| SV-H (Journey) | GS-12/13 | $82,108 – $106,742 | ~$107K – $139K+ |
| SV-I (Senior) | GS-13/14 | $99,904 – $129,878 | ~$130K – $170K+ |
💡 Note: TSA uses its own pay system (SV bands) rather than the standard GS scale. Your locality pay adjustment depends on your assigned field office. FAMs based in New York, Los Angeles, and San Francisco receive the highest locality adjustments — adding 30–40%+ on top of base salary.
Salary & Benefits
| Benefit | Details |
|---|---|
| Base Salary | $63,163 – $129,878/yr (SV-G to SV-I) |
| Locality Pay | Up to 40%+ additional depending on field office location |
| Uniform/Equipment Allowance | Annual allowance for clothing and equipment |
| Annual Leave | 26 days vacation + 13 sick days/year |
| Federal Holidays | 11 paid federal holidays |
| Health Insurance | FEHB — government covers ~70% of premiums |
| Dental & Vision | FEDVIP |
| Retirement | Law Enforcement FERS — retire at age 50 with 20 years of service |
| TSP (401k) | 5% government match |
| Paid Parental Leave | 12 weeks |
| Life Insurance | FEGLI |
| FLETC Training | Full paid training at Federal Law Enforcement Training Center (Artesia, NM) |
How to Apply
- Monitor USAJOBS.gov and jobs.tsa.gov/law-enforcement for active Federal Air Marshal announcements — TSA posts them periodically based on staffing needs
- Create or log in to your USAJOBS.gov account and set up a saved search alert for “Federal Air Marshal”
- When a position opens, read the announcement carefully — pay attention to the specific field office location, required experience, and eligibility requirements
- Prepare a detailed federal resume (typically 3–5 pages) highlighting: law enforcement experience, firearms qualifications, security clearance history, education, and any aviation or military background
- Upload all required documents: resume, transcripts (if using education to qualify), DD-214 (if veteran), and any current security clearance documentation
- Complete the online questionnaire — be thorough and specific about your law enforcement and security experience
- If selected, complete the background investigation, polygraph, medical exam, and psychological evaluation
- Attend and complete the TSA FAM Basic Training Course at FLETC in Artesia, NM — approximately 12–14 weeks of intensive training
⚠️ Important: TSA does not post Federal Air Marshal positions on a continuous basis. Set up a USAJOBS saved search for “Federal Air Marshal” and check jobs.tsa.gov/law-enforcement regularly. Missing an announcement means waiting for the next cycle.
Veterans’ Preference
Veterans can claim 5-point or 10-point preference when applying for Federal Air Marshal positions. Military experience in special operations, intelligence, security forces, aviation, or law enforcement is particularly valued. The maximum entry age of 37 is also waived for veterans who were on active duty on or after August 1, 1990, meaning some veterans may apply past the standard age limit. Provide your DD-214 and VA disability rating (if applicable) when submitting your application. For more on veterans’ preference in federal hiring, visit OPM.gov.
About the Transportation Security Administration (TSA)
The Transportation Security Administration was created after September 11, 2001 as part of the Aviation and Transportation Security Act. TSA employs approximately 65,000 people across airports, transit hubs, and field offices nationwide. The Federal Air Marshal Service — TSA’s law enforcement division — operates across hundreds of domestic and international routes every day, working in strict anonymity to protect the traveling public. TSA uses its own excepted-service pay system (the SV pay bands) rather than the GS scale, offering competitive compensation aligned with the demanding and specialized nature of the work.
FederalJobsAlert.us is an independent job notification website. This listing is sourced from USAJOBS.gov and TSA career pages for informational purposes only. Always verify the latest details and apply directly at USAJOBS.gov or jobs.tsa.gov. We are not affiliated with TSA, DHS, or any US government agency.
Sources
- USAJOBS — Federal Air Marshal Search
- TSA Careers — Law Enforcement & Federal Air Marshal Service
- TSA Pay Scale 2026 Guide
- OPM — Veterans’ Services
Other TSA & Federal Law Enforcement Jobs
TSA Transportation Security Officer Jobs 2026 — SV-D to SV-F | $39K–$82K | Multiple Airports
FBI Special Agent Jobs 2026 — GS-10 to GS-13 | $99K–$158K | Apply USAJOBS