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Federal Law Enforcement Agencies That Use GL Pay Ladders

The GL pay scale is used across many federal law enforcement jobs, especially entry and mid-career criminal investigator and officer ladders. This page is a quick orientation guide to major agencies where OPM law enforcement pay structures commonly appear in vacancy announcements and career paths.

Important: not every position in these agencies is paid on the GL scale, and many career ladders later convert to GS grades. Always check the specific vacancy announcement and pay plan listed on the job posting.

Major agencies to know

Federal Bureau of Investigation

Criminal investigators and special agents across counterterrorism, cyber, public corruption, and violent crime missions.

FBI

Drug Enforcement Administration

Special agents and diversion investigators working narcotics enforcement and controlled-substance regulation.

DEA

U.S. Marshals Service

Deputy U.S. Marshals handling fugitive operations, judicial security, and witness protection.

USMS

Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives

Special agents focused on firearms trafficking, explosives, arson, and violent crime enforcement.

ATF

Homeland Security Investigations

Federal criminal investigators handling transnational crime, financial crime, and border-related investigations.

HSI

U.S. Border Patrol

Uniformed border enforcement positions that commonly advertise GL career ladders.

USBP

Secret Service

Special agents and officers supporting protective operations and financial-crime investigations.

USSS

Postal Inspection Service

Postal inspectors and related law enforcement personnel investigating mail fraud and postal crimes.

USPIS

How to use this page

Use this list to understand where GL pay shows up in the federal law enforcement system. Then compare actual pay on the 2026 LEO table or open a grade page like GL-5, GL-7, or GL-9.

What to check in a vacancy announcement

  • The pay plan and grade. Look for GL, GS, or another special-rate system.
  • The promotion potential. Many law enforcement jobs advertise career ladders such as GL-5/7/9.
  • The duty station, because locality pay changes salary significantly.
  • Any extra compensation such as LEAP, AUO, overtime, or retention incentives.