Our benefits support every aspect of a working professional’s life, including health and wellness, time off, family, finances, and continuing education.

Health and Wellness

Fitness and Recreation

We have on-site walking paths and fitness facilities open to all employees. Our employees can take up to three hours per week of excused absence to focus on physical fitness.

Health Insurance

Like most government agencies, CIA employees get coverage through the Federal Employees Health Benefits Program. Employees can choose from a variety of plans and select one that works best for them. Dental, vision, and long-term care plans are also available.

Time Off

Paid Time Off

At CIA, annual leave is separate from sick leave, so when you take time off, you’re able to really enjoy your time away from work. Our culture strongly supports employees using the time off they’ve earned.

Employees accrue annual leave on a biweekly basis. Total years of federal service determine annual leave accrual rates.

Besides annual leave, CIA employees also get at least 10 paid federal holidays per year.

Sick Leave

Full-time employees receive up to 13 days of sick leave each year to use for illness, medical appointments, and family care. These days never expire and roll over year-to-year.

Employees can also take part in the Medical Leave Bank (MLB) membership program. MLB provides employees with leave for personal or family medical emergencies after they have used the rest of their leave. Employees can use MLB leave for medical treatment, surgery and recovery, childbirth, and caring for a sick family member.

Enhanced Annual Leave Benefit (EALB)

Newly appointed employees* and retired members of the uniformed services may be eligible to receive an increase in annual leave accrual if they have at least three years of qualified non-federal work experience within the past five years in a position with duties that are essential to and directly relate to the position to which they are hired at CIA.  All EALB decisions are made in accordance with CIA policy after an employee enters on duty.

*Employees are newly appointed if they have never served in Federal service, or are reappointed following a break in Federal service of at least 90 calendar days.

Family

Childcare

We sponsor a daycare facility that accepts children three months old through pre-kindergarten. Employees can also take part in the childcare subsidy program or enroll in a Dependent Care Flexible Spending Account.

Flexible Scheduling

We allow for flexibility in scheduling working hours for our employees. Options like flexible start and end times, compressed weeks, part-time schedules, and more allow our employees to lead active lives outside of work.

Finances

Compensation

In addition to base pay, employees may receive overtime, holiday, night differential, and premium pay.

Retirement

The Federal Employees Retirement System (FERS) automatically covers all new employees who have not worked in federal government before. FERS is a three-tier system made up of the government’s 401K plan (Thrift Savings Plan, TSP), Social Security, and the FERS Basic Benefit Plan. The minimum retirement age under FERS depends on an employee’s date of birth, but ranges from age 55 to 57.

Student Loan Repayment

To help ease the burden of student loans, we can provide loan repayment assistance during the first six years of employment. Paired with salary and benefits, our student loan repayment benefits help you pay off your loans while you start your career.

Continuing Education

General Training and Education

Education and training are a critical part of every CIA employee’s career development. Employees have access to a basic orientation, and most receive on-the-job and formal classroom training as well. Sponsorships are available for university and professional training in relevant programs.

Foreign Language

We have a state-of-the-art language program that provides an immersive experience to master a new language. Both new and current employees with foreign language skills are eligible for financial compensation. Learn more about the program on the  language opportunities page.

Veteran’s Benefits

If you are a military veteran, your veteran status may influence the type of benefits you receive. To learn more about benefits and military transition, visit the Veterans page.

Join a Diverse and Dynamic Workforce

At the CIA, we bring the best of who we are to protect our national interests. To uphold this extraordinary responsibility, we strive to maintain a diverse, equitable, and accessible workplace where all voices are heard, respected, and valued. We offer a unique environment to work with people who have a broad range of backgrounds, interests, experiences, and perspectives.

Diversity, Equity, Inclusion and Accessibility (DEIA) Enable Mission

At the CIA, we center diversity, equity, inclusion, and accessibility (DEIA) on the concept of belonging – rooted in equity and inclusion – where all officers are empowered to their best work. Centering DEIA on belonging ensures officers have the psychological safety and workforce support to bring their best selves to work, enabling every officer to fulfill mission needs.

DEIA Change in Action

We invest in the workforce of the future by attracting, retaining, and developing a diverse and culturally competent workforce. Our 2024-2027 Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Accessibility (DEIA) Strategy is our roadmap to building a sustainable approach to meeting mission needs. The Strategy outlines our goals, actions, and accountability measures based on the strategy's five objectives:

• Equitable DEIA Structures and Resources
• Workforce Investment
• Equitable and Inclusive Processes/Procedures
• Accountability
• Continued Agency Education and Development

Agency Resource Groups

Our Agency Resource Groups (ARGs), whose members are employees and allies who share a common affinity, are critical to the effectiveness of CIA through their support and advancement of DEIA. ARGs highlight and help CIA senior leadership work through challenges tied to recruitment, development, and retention. ARGs also educate the workforce on the heritage, values, and the future of their cultures.

At its core, our mission is to gather and share intelligence to protect our Nation from threats. Our highest principles guide our vision and all that we do: integrity; service; excellence; courage; teamwork; and stewardship.

At the CIA, our mission is to preempt threats and further U.S. national security objectives by:

• Collecting foreign intelligence that matters;
• Producing objective all-source analysis;
• Conducting effective covert action as directed by the president; and
• Safeguarding the secrets that help keep our Nation safe.

Our Vision

• Our vision is for CIA’s information, insights, and actions to consistently provide tactical and strategic advantage for the United States.