By: Kendall Upton
Updated: January 14, 2026
Learn how to become a U.S. Marshal: Careers, duties and more
The U.S. Marshals Service (USMS) is the oldest law enforcement agency in the nation. The men and women who work for the USMS conduct a range of federal law enforcement operations that include protecting the federal judiciary, apprehending federal fugitives, transporting federal prisoners and more.
But actual U.S. Marshals are just one role within the USMS. The agency achieves its mission because of the service of many different personnel with different duties and qualifications.
Let’s break down what these roles are, how to pursue them and whether a career in the USMS might be right for you.
In this article
What is the U.S. Marshals Service?
The USMS is a federal law enforcement agency tasked with enforcing federal laws and supporting the federal justice system.
“The duties of the U.S. Marshals Service include protecting the federal judiciary, apprehending federal fugitives, managing and selling seized assets acquired by criminals through illegal activities, housing and transporting federal prisoners and operating the Witness Security Program,” their website states.
A brief history of the U.S. Marshals Service
George Washington established the USMS through the passage of the Judiciary Act of 1789. Convinced that a good government depended on the “due administration of justice,” Washington signed the Act to expand the nascent government’s judicial offices which included the appointment of the first U.S. Marshals.
“The Supreme Court Justices, the Attorney General, the district court judges and attorneys, the court clerks, and the United States Marshals would define, administer, and enforce the growing body of federal laws,” the USMS says. “By their actions, these men would determine the boundary between federal authority and local autonomy.”
In the beginning, there were 13 marshals—one for each state. Washington chose dependable men whom he could trust to support the federal government without endangering the rights of the states, as they all had strong local ties to the states they represented.
Career routes in the USMS
The USMS consists of many different roles and positions that have different qualifications and functions.
U.S. Marshal
A U.S. Marshal represents one of the 94 federal judicial districts in the country. It is a presidentially appointed role that serves as the top administrative and operational leader for their districts. Most have leadership backgrounds in law enforcement, military or public administration.
Responsibilities of U.S. Marshals generally include overseeing personnel, budgets, fugitive operations, judicial security and local priorities within their district.
Deputy U.S. Marshal
Deputy U.S. Marshals are the primary operational agents of the USMS and have the broadest authority, training and career progression. They oversee many of the core functions of the USMS, including:
- Fugitive investigations and arrests
- Judicial security
- Witness protection operations
- Asset forfeiture enforcement
- Prisoner transport
- Working on task forces
- Tactical operations
Federal Enforcement Officer
Federal Enforcement Officers safeguard the federal judicial process by protecting court officials, judicial personnel and the public. Their duties include:
- Performing court security during arraignments, hearings, and criminal and civil trials
- Protecting personnel inside the courtroom including court officials, attorneys, jurors, witnesses and more
- Safely transporting inmates to and from detention facilities, courtrooms, airlift sites, medical buildings or other facilities
- Searching, restraining and providing basic medical interventions to inmates as needed
- Overseeing cell block operations and security
Detention Enforcement Officer
Whereas a Federal Enforcement Officer’s role focuses primarily on the protection of the courts and the personnel that occupy them, a Detention Enforcement Officer focuses on the custody and safety of prisoners and detainees. Their duties include:
- Transporting prisoners and detainees
- Coordinating prisoners’ family, disability or medical situations in detention facilities
- Conducting contraband cell and/or vehicle sweeps
- Maintaining cell block order and security
- Assists in escorting prisoners in the courtroom and maintaining prisoner custody and safety during court proceedings
Aviation Enforcement Officer
Aviation Enforcement Officers perform many of the same duties as Federal and Detention Enforcement Officers. They’re responsible for the safe transportation of prisoners and detainees via aircraft.
Other roles
The USMS also employs many different administrative, technical and professional positions which do not require law enforcement training. The qualifications and scope of each role can vary widely and include titles such as:
- Physical Security Specialist
- Investigative Analyst
- Information Technology (IT) Specialist
- Airline Pilot
- Accountant
- Attorney
- Human Resources (HR) Specialist/Assistant
- Program Support Specialist
- Budget Analyst
Job qualifications
Although the USMS encompasses many different roles with varying qualifications and hiring processes, the most emblematic role in the service is the Deputy U.S. Marshal. They perform and oversee the core functions of the USMS.
To qualify for a job as a Deputy Marshal, you must meet their minimum qualifications:
Education requirements
In addition to the basic qualifications above, Deputy Marshals must also meet minimum education and experience standards relevant to the grade level to which they are applying.
To qualify for the GL-05 level, you must meet one of the following:
- Three years of progressively responsible work experience
- Must have completed (or expect to complete within nine months) a bachelor’s degree in any major
- An equivalent combination of work experience and education
To qualify for the GL-07 level, you must meet one of the following:
- One year of law enforcement experience equivalent to at least the GS-05 grade level
- Must have completed (or expect to complete within nine months) one full academic year of graduate study or law school education related to law enforcement
- An equivalent combination of work experience and education
- Superior Academic Achievement (SAA) option: Must have completed (or expect to complete within nine months) all requirements for a bachelor’s degree in a field related to law enforcement such as criminal justice, criminology, homeland security, forensic science, computer forensics and more AND meet minimum Grade Point average (GPA) requirements
Training
Like most other law enforcement roles in other agencies across the country, Deputy U.S. Marshals must complete a basic training program at the U.S. Marshals Service Training Academy in Glynco, Georgia.
The program lasts about 21.5 weeks and includes a rigorous curriculum of classroom-based learning, hands-on tactical practice and physical fitness conditioning. Some of the topics covered in the program include federal court procedures, court security, firearms training, control tactics, use of force, prisoner search and restraint, surveillance, legal training and much more.
What to expect as a Deputy U.S. Marshal
Once they’ve gone through the hiring process—which can potentially take up to 18 months—and completed their basic training, Deputy Marshals are assigned to work in one of the 94 federal judicial districts spread across the country. They must remain in their initial assignment location for at least three years.
Consider some these aspects of the job which are important to be aware of if you’re thinking about a career as a Deputy Marshal. Some can be considered pros or cons depending on your tastes, values and preferences:
- Irregular work schedule:
- A career as a Deputy Marshal isn’t at all like a typical nine-to-five job. Marshals must contend with irregular work hours, traveling on short notice and potentially spending long stretches of time away from home during major missions or operations.
- Variety of tasks and duties:
- No two days are the same. Deputy Marshals work on a variety of assignments including fugitive apprehension and investigation, judicial security, prisoner transport, asset forfeiture, witness security, tactical operations, supporting the National Center for Missing & Exploited Children and more.
- Physically demanding and dangerous:
- Deputy Marshals must be in excellent condition to withstand the physical demands of the job, including long surveillance hours, handling and using firearms, wearing tactical gear and physically restraining criminals and prisoners. Pursuing and engaging with violent individuals can also be dangerous.
- Cross-agency collaboration:
- The USMS works hand in hand with many other federal, state and local law enforcement agencies to carry out their missions, including the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA), Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) and more.
- Rewarding service:
- Most people are drawn to the job because they want to help make their communities and their country safer. Capturing dangerous fugitives and protecting the justice system can provide an immediate and visible reward that many deputies find extremely gratifying.
- Robust benefits:
- USMS employees can enjoy comprehensive benefits packages that include health benefits, life insurance, paid time off and generous retirement plans. In addition, the USMS states that federal law enforcement officers can retire after 25 years of service, or at 50 years old with 20 years of service. The mandatory retirement age for officers is 57 once 20 years of service is completed.
How much do Deputy U.S. Marshals make?
Like the military, salaries for different jobs in the USMS depend on fixed pay grades. Over time and with promotions, people can move into higher pay grades.
According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, police and sheriff’s patrol officers—which includes those who enforce federal laws and ordinances—earn a median annual salary of $76,290. However, it’s fairly safe to assume that federal law enforcement officers—especially those with the expertise needed to be a Deputy U.S. Marshal—make more than your average local law enforcement officer.
While this is a broad estimate for what you may be able to earn as a Deputy U.S. Marshal, it’s best to consult the Office of Personnel Management’s salary tables for the most accurate salary figures.