ICE Agent Mocks Protester's $200K Salary Boast, Claims He Earns the Same Without a College Degree

An interaction between a U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agent and a protester that went viral on social media has sparked fresh debate about federal law enforcement pay, with the ICE agent dismissing the protester's claim of earning $200,000 (around £149.000) a year.

According to the widely shared video, the protester, who identified herself as a physician assistant and claimed a $200,000 salary, was met with scepticism by the ICE officer, who said they earned the same amount — despite having 'only gone to high school'.

The brief exchange quickly spread online as critics and supporters alike weighed in on federal pay scales, law enforcement compensation, and the perception of public‑sector earnings.

Though the clip has been shared with amusement and disbelief, a closer look at official pay ranges and benefits for ICE personnel shows why the comment struck a nerve — and why it's not an accurate reflection of typical earnings for most officers.

Viral Moment Shows Public Confusion Over Federal Pay

In the video, an ICE agent said, 'I love my job. I can't believe I get paid for this. I'd do this for free.'

When the protester replied, 'I get $200k. I'm a physician assistant,' the agent asked, 'How long did you have to go to school?' The protester said seven years.

The agent then said they only completed high school and earn $200,000 — a remark that drew laughter and incredulity online.

The clip quickly went viral, reflecting widespread curiosity — and frequent confusion — about federal law enforcement salaries. To understand where the claim stands relative to actual pay, it's important to provide clear context on how ICE compensation works.

Federal Pay Scale: What ICE Officers Actually Earn

Most ICE enforcement officers — often referred to as Deportation Officers within the agency's Enforcement and Removal Operations (ERO) division — are federal employees paid under the General Schedule (GS) system.

Base salaries for entry- to mid-level positions typically range from $49,739 (£37,044) to $89,528 (£66,679) depending on grade, experience, and location, according to current job listings and federal recruitment platforms.

For senior supervisory roles, salaries rise to approximately $117,284 (£87,351) to $152,471 (£113,558) per year, still generally below the $200,000 mark without additional pay components. ICE positions are classified from GS‑7 to GS‑13 or higher, meaning pay increases with experience and rank.

For instance, a GS‑12 officer — often a more seasoned professional — earns around $88,621 (£66,003) to $144,031 (£107,272) per year.

Beyond Base Pay: Overtime, Bonuses, and Incentives

ICE officers can supplement their base salary through several avenues:

• Administratively Uncontrollable Overtime (AUO): A premium of up to 25% of base pay for irregular and unscheduled work hours.
• Locality Pay: Adjustments for high-cost areas that raise total compensation.
• Sign-on and Retention Bonuses: Up to $50,000 (£37,239) for newly hired or returning officers in recruitment drives.
• Loan Repayment and Performance Incentives: Programs to assist with student loans or reward performance.

When these additional pay elements are included, total compensation can rise substantially. In certain high-cost regions and with substantial overtime, experienced officers may approach or occasionally exceed $200,000, although this is not typical for most early-career agents.

Federal Benefits Package: More Than Just Salary

ICE officers also receive a comprehensive benefits package:

• Health, dental, and vision insurance under the Federal Employees Health Benefits Program.
• Retirement plans through the Federal Employees Retirement System (FERS) and a Thrift Savings Plan with employer matching.
• Paid leave and federal holidays.
• Life insurance, long-term care, and other standard federal perks.

These benefits add significant long-term value to federal compensation packages and often make total remuneration more competitive than private-sector equivalents when factoring in health, retirement, and leave.

Why the Viral Video Resonated

The viral clip of an ICE agent claiming a $200,000 salary highlights public confusion over federal pay. Physician assistants — highly trained medical professionals — typically earn median salaries well above most federal law enforcement roles, often near or above $100,000 (£74,478) depending on location and setting.

By contrast, most ICE officers start in the $50,000–$90,000 (£37,239–£67,030) range, before overtime, locality adjustments, and other incentives are applied.

The contrast between these earnings explains why the agent's remark struck many as humorous while also exposing the complexity of federal compensation systems. Viral clips rarely capture the full structure of base salaries, overtime, bonuses, and benefits, all of which are critical to understanding total pay.

The Full Picture: ICE Salaries vs. Social Media Hype

While experienced ICE officers in certain roles and regions, and those with significant overtime, can approach or exceed $200,000 in total compensation, base pay for most officers — particularly those at early career stages — is considerably lower.

Social media clips claiming high salaries often overlook the structured pay scales and benefits that govern federal employment. A clear understanding of ICE compensation requires looking at base rates, overtime, locality pay, bonuses, and long-term benefits, rather than relying on off-the-cuff statements alone.