How to Become an FBI Agent in Maryland

The FBI’s Maryland field office in Baltimore was established in 1911 as a way to see sex crime investigations throughout the country. By 1914, the Baltimore office was a full-fledged center for field operations overseeing the entire state of Maryland as well as all of Delaware. The field office conducts regular investigations of serious or significant crimes, including the arrest of the two “D.C. Snipers” who were terrorizing the Arlington-Metro D.C. area with assassination-style murders in 2002.

FBI applicants living in Maryland have easy access to the Bureau’s locations in the area, meaning they can apply to become a special agent using the following process before coming in to Baltimore for their Phase I interviews.

FBI Agent Requirements in Maryland

Basic Requirements

• Age 23 to 37
• No prior convictions for felonies or prescription drug-related crimes
• At least three years of full-time work experience
• A bachelor’s degree or higher
• Valid U.S. driver’s license
• S. citizenship
• Ability to meet the minimum physical fitness standards for Special Agents

Additional Requirements

• No history of engaging in acts or with organizations that seek to overthrow the U.S. government by force
• Ability to pass a urinalysis and no history of marijuana use in the past three years or illegal drug use in the past 10 years
• Bureau approval for character and moral standing following a rigorous 10 year background check
• Completion of 800 hour training camp in Quantico, Virginia upon acceptance as a possible Special Agent candidate

Different Positions with The FBI in Maryland

• Intelligence Branch — Handles information, intelligence and data-based evidence for the entire Bureau
• National Security Branch — Counteracts terroristic activities involving intimidation, weapons of mass destruction, aggression against United States agents and foreign espionage
• Criminal, Cyber, Response, and Services Branch — Investigates fraud, racketeering, financial crime, cyber terrorism, sex trafficking, drug-related crimes and more
• Science and Technology Branch — Uses forensic science, ID science, applied technology and information sharing to help support other federal and local investigations
• Information and Technology Branch — Helps the FBI and other law-enforcement and intelligence agencies manage information technology concerns as well as information management, storage and cybersecurity

Maryland FBI Agent Education

• S. Computer Science — Allows candidates to assist the FBI with cyber investigations, cyber crimes, cyber security and online monitoring as well as other networking and data-sharing concerns
• S. Chemistry — Chemistry and other applied science majors can help candidates serve the FBI in forensics and evidence analysis
• S. Engineering — Electrical engineering and similar disciplines help the FBI develop and maintain communications monitoring equipment
• S. Accounting/Finance — Knowledge of finance and accounting can aid FBI operations when investigating illicit use of funds or criminal activities
• S. Criminal Justice — Provides candidate with broad skills in criminal justice processes, investigations, criminal psychology, evidence collection, reporting and more.

Major Cities in Maryland

Baltimore has Maryland’s highest population (622,104) as well as the FBI’s primary field office for the states of Maryland and Delaware. The FBI also operates Resident Agencies in the cities of Frederick, Bel Air, Annapolis, Rockville, Salisbury and Calverton.

Specific Duties of FBI Agents in Maryland

• Investigating and following up with possible crimes based on leads, tips and reports
• Going undercover to conduct “stings” on groups such as sex traffickers, terrorists, those engaging in fraud and more
• Monitoring, preventing or investigating cyber threats
• Conducting field operations to apprehend individuals

Intersting Facts About the FBI in Maryland

One of the first FBI field offices in the country, FBI’s Baltimore offices have been active since the FBI was formed. In 1962, they were responsible for the arrest of Bobby Wilcoxson, who robbed eight banks and was on the FBI’s Ten Most Wanted list. Baltimore also started the first “Innocent image” task force aiming to track activities of child predators online. In 2002, the Baltimore offices were instrumental in identifying the “D.C. snipers” and assisting with their capture.

Maryland FBI Agent Salary

Base salary for newly inducted FBI agents starts at the GS-10, Step 1 pay level, which is $47,158 a year. Agents also get availability pay for working 50+ hours on investigations equal to 25% of their base salary, and they get locality pay. Locality pay for the Maryland area is 24.78%, meaning agents assigned there get $70,633 a year.

FBI Training Programs and Schools in Maryland