Working as a U.S. Marshal

Working as a US Marshal can be an exciting and rewarding job for those with criminal justice degrees or for those who want to work within the criminal justice field. A US Marshal is an employee of the federal government, and as such there are many benefits to pursuing this exciting career. However, if you want to become a US Marshal, you must meet certain minimum qualifications.

What is a US Marshal?

A US Marshal is an individual employed by the United States Department of Justice, which is a federal law enforcement agency. The Department of Justice and the US Marshal’s office aims to capture fugitives who have eluded other law enforcement agencies, such as local police officers and to capture fugitives who have committed federal crimes or who have fled across state lines.

If you work as a US Marshal, you job will be to work with others in the department to hunt fugitives. This can involve doing research and investigative work to find the fugitives, or it can involve being out in the field and actually attempting to capture these dangerous criminals.

Where Do US Marshals Work?

US Marshals may be headquartered at the Department of Justice Headquarters. However, US Marshals may work anywhere in the United States where they are required to go in order to capture a fugitive. Being a US Marshal may require travel, depending upon the nature of the job.

What to Expect from a Career as a US Marshal

Being a US Marshal is a demanding job. You will be working to track criminals, and so you must be resourceful and able to handle high levels of stress. It can also be dangerous to apprehend criminals, so you need to be able to cope with situations in which your life, and the lives of others, depends on your ability to act quickly and resourcefully.

US Marshal Education Requirements

To become a US Marshal, you must be at least 21 years old but no older than 36 years old. You also must have a driver’s license and a good driving record. You will need to pass physical fitness tests and have a comprehensive background check, which may involve interviewing friends, family and others who know you.

IN addition to the basic minimum requirements, you must also have either a college degree or three years of experience or both. An associate’s degree is not accepted to become a US Marshal, unless you also have experience, so you will need to obtain Bachelors, Masters or PhD in criminal justice or a related field. Those who have higher degrees may have a better chance of getting hired and more possibility for advancement within the field.

Once you are hired as a US marshal, you will nee to undergo a 10-week training program at the US Marshal training center, which is headquarted in Glynco, Georgia. During this program, you will learn all the specialized skills required to act as a US Marshal.

US Marshal Salary and Job Outlook

GS-5 Marshals will earn an average salary of around $30,500. GS-7 Marshals earn an average salary of $35,000. Projected job growth for US Marshals is around 10 percent, which is on par with the average.