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CSIS jobs: positions, steps, $42,579 to $168,915 salary scale

CSIS jobs: pay scale of $42,579 to $168,915 since April 1, 2024, positions, citizenship rules, the 10 hiring steps with Top Secret clearance and co-op terms.

November 12, 2026 · By the Agent Policier editorial team · Lire en français

Jobs

CSIS jobs follow a pay scale of $42,579 to $168,915 a year (about $20.40 to $80.93 an hour), in effect since April 1, 2024, according to the Salaires et avantages sociaux page of the Canadian Security Intelligence Service (CSIS). CSIS is not a police force. Its official page states that it "is not a law enforcement agency." Its officers are not police officers. For the police career, see our page on police officer jobs. This text applies to women and men alike.

CSIS jobs: who can apply

Section 12 of the Canadian Security Intelligence Service Act (R.S.C. 1985, c. C-23, current to October 19, 2026) tasks the Service with collecting, analysing and retaining information and intelligence on activities suspected of constituting threats to the security of Canada. It reports to and advises the Government of Canada (subsection 12(1)).

The "Processus de recrutement" page (dated February 11, 2026) sets two requirements for all positions.

Hold Canadian citizenship
Have 10 years of verifiable history

Some positions also require a valid permanent driver's licence and mobility. The frequently asked questions page (dated September 23, 2024) turns away permanent residents. It accepts dual citizenship. A criminal record does not prevent you from applying. Each file is assessed separately. Applications are made online only, at Canada.ca/emplois-scrs. There is no remote work. The probationary period lasts at least one year. You can apply again to the same position after six months.

CSIS positions

Two titles come up in the frequently asked questions.

Intelligence officer: a degree from a recognized Canadian university, a permanent Canadian driver's licence (class 5 at least) and a willingness to relocate. The FNAR training takes place at the headquarters in Ottawa. A three-year development program follows
Surveillance officer: a college diploma of at least two years in any field, or a degree from a recognized Canadian university. The work is done in shifts, with sometimes unpredictable hours

According to the frequently asked questions, a few jobs require only a secondary school diploma. Most require a college diploma or a university degree. Most do not require a medical examination.

The "Emplois disponibles" page (dated November 10, 2026) lists 12 professional positions and 11 co-op placements. It includes, for example, IT analysts, a communications analyst, a procurement officer and an editor. No intelligence officer or surveillance officer is listed that day. The list gives no location, level or closing date. You must open each posting to find out which ones are in Quebec.

For other federal security jobs, see our article on RCMP recruitment and the one on CBSA hiring.

CSIS salary

The scale has 11 levels. CSIS publishes it without working hours. The hourly rate is a calculation by our editors on 40 hours a week × 52.18 weeks, or 2,087.2 hours a year. The frequently asked questions say that the scales for each position appear in its profile and that the exact amount depends on experience.

Level	Minimum	Maximum	Hourly rate (min. to max.)
1	$42,579	$48,305	$20.40 to $23.14
2	$49,737	$60,535	$23.83 to $29.00
3	$54,655	$66,507	$26.19 to $31.86
4	$61,220	$74,473	$29.33 to $35.68
5	$68,552	$83,389	$32.84 to $39.95
6	$77,427	$94,177	$37.10 to $45.12
7	$87,459	$106,386	$41.90 to $50.97
8	$99,392	$120,917	$47.62 to $57.93
9	$112,746	$137,226	$54.02 to $65.75
10	$126,377	$152,175	$60.55 to $72.91
11	$140,764	$168,915	$67.44 to $80.93

Benefits include three weeks of paid vacation from the day you are hired, sick leave, life, health and dental insurance, and a pension plan.

The 10 steps of CSIS recruitment

The "Processus de recrutement" page describes these steps for professionals.

1. Online application
2. Pre-screening
3. Competency-based interview
4. Complete file, with three references
5. Second language evaluation, depending on the position
6. Psychological assessment, with an interview
7. File review
8. Top Secret Enhanced security clearance, with background check documents, fingerprints, a security interview and a polygraph test
9. Offer letter, signed after the clearance is granted
10. Job at CSIS

CSIS says the process takes 6 to 18 months after the initial interview.

CSIS jobs for students

The "Emplois pour étudiants" page (dated October 7, 2026) describes full-time co-op work terms at the headquarters in Ottawa. You must be in your third or fourth year, a Canadian citizen and enrolled full time at a recognized postsecondary institution in Canada. Work terms start in January, May or September. They last four, eight, twelve or sixteen months. The page asks you to apply one year before the work term. The frequently asked questions say 10 to 12 months.

The same page publishes the hourly pay of co-op students. At the college or undergraduate level, it runs from $23.79 for the first work term to $33.75 for the fourth (about $49,654 to $70,443 a year on a 40-hour week, our calculation). At the graduate level, it runs from $27.20 to $34.32 (about $56,772 to $71,633 a year on the same basis).

This article is neither legal nor union advice.

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Frequently asked questions

How to work for CSIS?

You must apply online at Canada.ca/emplois-scrs. CSIS requires Canadian citizenship and 10 years of verifiable history. The process has 10 steps for professionals, including the Top Secret Enhanced security clearance.

What is CSIS?

It is the Canadian Security Intelligence Service. The Act tasks it with collecting, analysing and retaining information on threats to the security of Canada, then reporting to the Government of Canada (section 12). Its official page states that it is not a law enforcement agency.

What is the salary of a secret agent in Canada?

"Secret agent" is not a title on the CSIS job pages we read. The titles found are intelligence officer and surveillance officer. The CSIS scale runs from $42,579 to $168,915 a year (about $20.40 to $80.93 an hour) since April 1, 2024. The level of each position appears in its profile.

How to become an intelligence officer?

You need a degree from a recognized Canadian university, Canadian citizenship, a permanent Canadian driver's licence and a willingness to relocate. The FNAR training takes place in Ottawa. A three-year development program follows.

Do you need to be a Canadian citizen to apply?

Yes. Canadian citizenship is mandatory. Permanent residents are not eligible. A person with dual citizenship can apply if they are a Canadian citizen and meet the other requirements.

How long does the recruitment process take?

On average, 6 to 18 months after the initial interview. The polygraph test is part of the Top Secret clearance step and is mandatory.

Do you need a university degree to work at CSIS?

Not for every position. The intelligence officer requires a university degree. The surveillance officer accepts a college diploma of at least two years.