Looking for a new job can be hard. People who feel like they are trapped in a job that is physically and/or emotionally unsafe have the additional burden of sorting through complicated feelings about their work and themselves in addition to finding new opportunities that fit their financial and career goals. 

There are many opportunities for Immigration and Custom Enforcement (ICE) Agents to work in positions that pay the same or more than what they are making now in jobs that require training and skills similar to what they already have.

Current ICE Agents might enjoy other positions in security or law enforcement, or move to a job working in regulations and compliance like the occupations listed below. 

Over the years I’ve talked with many people wanting to make a career change. Remember, no matter what your life situation is, or how bad your job is (or the terrible things they want you to do), you can decide to quit. No one has to keep doing work that is degrading, dangerous or goes against their morals and values.

How to Find a New Career?

One way to sort through the hundreds of occupations that might be a fit is to look at positions that use similar skills to your current job. There are likely more occupations than you can imagine that have similar tasks or require knowledge that you already have.

As an example, let’s explore (non-military) jobs that might be of interest to ICE Agents who no longer want to work in that division of the U.S. federal government.

NOTE:

• Most of the occupations listed here have the same or higher pay as ICE Agent positions for the same amount of training. Check with individual employers to find out about signing bonuses and other compensation.
• Search job openings from all kinds of employers all across the United States using CareerOneStop’s Job Finder.

Security & Law Enforcement Positions

Security Guard

(Also known as: Armed Security Officer, Campus Security Officer, Custom Protection Officer, Loss Prevention Officer, Safety and Security Officer, Security Agent)
+ What they do: Guard, patrol, or monitor premises to prevent theft, violence, or infractions of rules. May operate x-ray and metal detector equipment.
+ Where they work: Variety of public spaces and commercial businesses including corporate offices, retail stores, shopping malls, hospitals, residential complexes, casinos, hotels, and schools, industrial facilities, warehouses, construction sites, and special events
+ Median wage: $18.45 hourly, $38,370 annual
+ Education/Training: High school diploma plus on-the-job training

Bailiff

(Also known as: Court Deputy, Court Security Officer, Deputy Bailiff, Deputy Court Services Sheriff, Security Officer)
+ What they do: Ensure courtroom order and provide security for judges, juries, plaintiffs and defendants.
+ Where they work: Local, state and federal judicial and magistrates offices and courts.
+ Median wage: $27.43 hourly, $57,050 annual
+ Education/Training: Vocational program

Correctional Officers and Jailer

(Also known as: Booking Officer, Community Services Officer [CSO], Detention Deputy, Detention Officer, Jailor )
+ What they do: Guard inmates in penal or rehabilitative institutions in accordance with established regulations and procedures. May guard prisoners in transit between jail, courtroom, prison, or other point. Includes deputy sheriffs and police who spend the majority of their time guarding prisoners in correctional institutions.
+ Where they work: Local, state or federal prisons, jails, reformatories and penitentiaries, and courts.
+ Median wage: $27.87 hourly, $57,970 annual
+ Education/Training: High school diploma plus on-the-job training

Probation Officers and Correctional Treatment Specialists

(Also known as: Correctional Counselor, Deputy Probation Officer, Juvenile Probation Officer, Parole Agent, Probation Counselor)
+ What they do: Provide social services to assist in rehabilitation of law offenders in custody or on probation or parole. Make recommendations for actions involving formulation of rehabilitation plan and treatment of offender, including conditional release and education and employment stipulations.
+ Where they work: Criminal justice system at the federal, state or local level
+ Median wage: $31.02 hourly, $64,520 annual
+ Education/Training: Bachelor’s degree plus several years of work-related experience

Police and Sheriff’s Patrol Officer

(Also known as: Deputy, Law Enforcement Officer, Peace Officer, Police Officer, Public Safety Officer, State Trooper)
+ What they do: Maintain order and protect life and property by enforcing local, tribal, state, or federal laws and ordinances. Perform a combination of the following duties: patrol a specific area; direct traffic; issue traffic summonses; investigate accidents; apprehend and arrest suspects, or serve legal processes of courts. Includes police officers working at educational institutions.
+ Where they work: City, county or state law enforcement departments
+ Median wage: $36.68 hourly, $76,290 annual
+ Education/Training: Vocational program plus on-the-job training

Transit and Railroad Police

(Also known as: Law Enforcement Officer, Patrol Officer, Patrolman, Police Captain, Police Specialist, Railway Police)
+ What they do: Protect and police railroad and transit property, employees, or passengers.
+ Where they work: Transit authority, railroad, bus line, or other mass transit provider, municipality, county, district, or state
+ Median wage: $39.58 hourly, $82,320 annual
+ Education/Training: Vocational program plus on-the-job training

Detectives and Criminal Investigators

(Also known as: Crime Scene Investigator [CSI], Fugitive Investigator, Narcotics Detective, Police Detective, Special Agent)
+ What they do: Conduct investigations related to suspected violations of federal, state, or local laws to prevent or solve crimes.
+ Where they work: Law enforcement or criminal justice system at the federal, state or local level
+ Median wage: $44.99 hourly, $93,580 annual
+ Education/Training: Vocational program or Associate’s degree plus work experience and on-the-job training

Intelligence Analyst

(Also known as: Anti-Terrorist Analyst, Criminal Analyst, Crime Research Specialist, Intel Analyst, Investigative Intelligence Analysts, Police Crime and Intelligence Analyst, Terrorism Research Specialist)
+ What they do: Gather, analyze, or evaluate information from a variety of sources, such as law enforcement databases, surveillance, intelligence networks or geographic information systems. Use intelligence data to anticipate and prevent organized crime activities, such as terrorism.
+ Where they work: Federal government agencies such as the CIA, FBI, NSA, and military branches, federal and state law enforcement, and private businesses related to finance, technology, or defense
+ Median wage: $44.99 hourly, $93,580 annual
+ Education/Training: Bachelor’s degree plus several years of work-related experience

Regulations & Compliance Positions

Customs and Border Protection Officers

(Also known as: Canine [K-9] Enforcement Officer, Customs Inspector, Import Specialist, Special Agent, US Customs and Border Protection Officer)
+ What they do: Investigate and inspect persons, common carriers, goods, and merchandise, arriving in or departing from the United States or between states to detect violations of immigration and customs laws and regulations.
+ Where they work: Points of entry into a country, including international airports, sea ports, land border crossings
+ Median wage: $36.68 hourly, $76,290 annual
+ Education/Training: Vocational program plus on-the-job training

Regulatory Affairs Specialists

(Also known as: Drug Regulatory Affairs Specialist, Regulatory Affairs Strategist [RA Strategist], Regulatory Engineer, Regulatory Services Consultant, Regulatory Submissions Associate)
+ What they do: Help companies meet all state, local, federal, international, and industrial regulations that apply to their products. Coordinate and document internal regulatory processes, such as internal audits, inspections, license renewals, or registrations.
+ Where they work: Various companies or organizations related to food and beverage, pharmaceutical, medical devices, automotive or mechanical components, financial services, or other products that are regulated. Some work directly for regulatory agencies, including the Food and Drug Administration (FDA), Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), and Federal Trade Commission (FTC).
+ Median wage: $37.70 hourly, $78,420 annual
+ Education/Training: Bachelor’s degree plus several years of work-related experience

Customs Broker

(Also known as: Corporate Licensed Broker, Customs House Brokerage Associate)
+ What they do: Prepare customs documentation to notify or obtain clearance from government agencies and ensure that shipments meet all applicable laws to facilitate the import and export of goods. Determine and track duties and taxes payable and process payments on behalf of clients. Sign documents under a power of attorney. Represent clients in meetings with customs officials and apply for duty refunds and tariff reclassifications. Coordinate transportation and storage of imported goods.
+ Where they work: Businesses involved in importing and exporting goods, shipping lines, international airports and harbors, and customs brokerage firms.
+ Median wage: $37.70 hourly, $78,420 annual
+ Education/Training: Vocational program plus on-the-job training

Government Property Inspectors and Investigators

(Also known as: Airport Operations Officer, Housing Inspector, Housing Quality Standard Inspector, Neighborhood Conservation Officer, Quality Assurance Specialist, Rehabilitation Construction Specialist)
+ What they do: Investigate or inspect government property to ensure compliance with contract agreements and government regulations.
+ Where they work: Local, state and federal government agencies
+ Median wage: $37.70 hourly, $78,420 annual
+ Education/Training: Vocational program or Associate’s degree plus work experience and on-the-job training

You are Not Alone

ICE Agents and other job seekers in the United States can find free and low-cost job search assistance through their local American Job Center, public library or an employment and training program.

Search job openings from all kinds of employers all across the U.S. using CareerOneStop’s Job Finder.

Job seekers can also search for a career coach on the National Career Development Association website.

Data Sources: O*NET | CareerOneStop
Retrieved January 2026 by @DeniseMpls