A Secret Service agent monitors the crowd at a campaign appearance by Republican presidential candidate Mitt Romney.

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Secret Service agents work for the federal government in one of two roles: They are best-known for their protective duties for the president of the United States but are also assigned to protect presidential family members, major presidential candidates, visiting dignitaries and others. Investigative duties are based around counterfeiting and other financial crimes.

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As government employees, they are paid according to the General Schedule classification and pay system. According to the U. Office of Personnel Management, the General Schedule has 15 grade levels from G-1, the lowest, to G, the highest.

These levels are based on the difficulty of the job, qualifications and responsibilities. Within each level are 10 steps, worth roughly 3 percent each. These are based on longevity, and it takes about 18 years to advance through the 10 steps, though merit step increases may be awarded.

In addition, Secret Service salaries may include locality pay increases of 14 to 36 percent, depending on where the agent lives. According to the Secret Service, most agents are hired at a G-7 to G-9 level, depending on their qualifications. Some Secret Service agents were also eligible for bonus pay, known as Law Enforcement Availability Pay, essentially a type of overtime. This 25 percent pay is added to locality pay and usually requires agents to work an additional two hours a day over the standard field office hour workweek.

In addition, some agents can receive a one-time bonus of 25 percent of annual pay if they are fluent in a foreign language.

They also receive all benefits that federal government employees receive, such as health care. In addition to basic qualifications such as physical fitness and written tests, as well as security clearances and firearms proficiency, Secret Service agents' educational qualifications may determine whether they are hired at a G-7 or G-9 level.

For instance, a G-7 agent needs a bachelor's degree with "superior academic achievement" such as a 3.

Eric Strauss spent 12 years as a newspaper copy editor, eventually serving as a deputy business editor at "The Star-Ledger" in New Jersey before transitioning into academic communications.

His byline has appeared in several newspapers and websites. Strauss holds a B.

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How the General Schedule Works According to the U. Secret Service Salaries According to the Secret Service, most agents are hired at a G-7 to G-9 level, depending on their qualifications. Other Pay Some Secret Service agents were also eligible for bonus pay, known as Law Enforcement Availability Pay, essentially a type of overtime.

G-Level Qualifications In addition to basic qualifications such as physical fitness and written tests, as well as security clearances and firearms proficiency, Secret Service agents' educational qualifications may determine whether they are hired at a G-7 or G-9 level. References 4 United States Secret Service: Office of Personnel Management: General Schedule Classification and Pay U.

Salary Table GS U. About the Author Eric Strauss spent 12 years as a newspaper copy editor, eventually serving as a deputy business editor at "The Star-Ledger" in New Jersey before transitioning into academic communications.

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