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What does the do?

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The United States Marshals Service (USMS) is a subdivision of the Department of Justice responsible for executing federal court orders, ensuring the safety of federal judicial officials, apprehending fugitives, managing and transporting prisoners, and protecting witnesses. It was established in 1789.

In FY 2024,

$4.02B

was spent by the US Marshals
In FY 2024,

9.1%

of Dept. of Justice spending was by the US Marshals

How much does the United States Marshals Service spend?

The US Marshals spent a net total of $4.02 billion in fiscal year (FY) 2024. This was 9.1% of the $44 billion spent by the Department of Justice, which itself was 0.6% of all federal spending. The MARSHALS ranked third among DOJ subdivisions in net spending.
Net spending is the difference between agency spending and any financial accounts generating funds from the agency’s own activities, like fees or rent. When these funds offset all spending, net spending appears negative. Some agencies tend to operate with positive net spending while others will register negative net spending sometimes or often.

The US Marshals ranked third among Department of Justice divisions in net spending in 2024.

DOJ net spending by division, FY 2024

Like the overall federal budget, agency spending may shift over time due to population growth, changes in policy and programs, and emerging problems to address. Adjusting for inflation, the US Marshals’ federal spending has increased from $81.7 million in 1980 to $4.02 billion in 2024.

The US Marshals’s federal spending in FY 2024 was higher than in FY 1980.

Yearly federal net spending by MARSHALS, adjusted for inflation (2024 dollars), FYs 1980–2024

Since 1980, US Marshals spending has increased 4,820.6%, while overall spending has increased 193.7%.
As a percentage of the overall federal budget, a positive number means agency net spending made up some positive share of total federal spending; a negative number means that net generated funds offset a portion of total spending. MARSHALS spending grew more than overall federal spending since 1980, which means that its share of the federal budget increased. In 2024, MARSHALS accounted for 0.059% of overall federal spending.

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Major legislation, internal or global economic conditions, and acute events like the COVID-19 pandemic can affect spending year to year. For example, the federal budget fluctuated during the pandemic, rising from $5.3 trillion (in 2023 dollars) in 2019 to $7.7 trillion in 2020 and $7.8 trillion in 2021.

The US Marshals’s share of federal spending in FY 2024 was higher than in FY 1980.

Net spending by MARSHALS as a share of federal spending, FYs 1980–2024

Most federal spending can be categorized as direct or indirect. Direct spending refers to money the federal government spends on budget items such as federal programs, employee salaries, and debt interest. Indirect spending refers to federal transfers to state and local governments.
In FY 2024, all of the US Marshals' spending was direct.
The chart below outlines all net MARSHALS spending.

How did the US Marshals spend its budget in 2024?

Federal government net spending isolated to MARSHALS, FY 2024

How many people work for the United States Marshals Service?

Some 5,544 of the 2.31 million total civilian federal employees work for the US Marshals as of September 2024. This is 0.07% more people than the division staffed in 2010.

The number of federal employees working for the US Marshals has increased 0.07% since 2010.

Number of federal employees working for MARSHALS, September 2010–2024

The US Marshals accounts for 0.2% of the overall federal workforce. As the number of federal employees has changed, so too has the way the workforce is organized, with resources allocated to agencies depending on government priorities. The division constituted a smaller share of the overall federal workforce in September 2024 compared to 2010 (0.3%).
While the number of employees on an agency’s payroll contributes to that agency’s expenditures, some agencies have relatively few employees compared to their budget or vice versa, giving them an outsized share of either the budget or the workforce. According to the most recent data, the US Marshals' share of the workforce (0.2%) is larger than its share of the budget (0.059%).

Who leads the United States Marshals Service?

The USMS is led by a director. This individual is nominated by the President of the United States and requires confirmation by the Senate. The Director of the USMS reports to the Attorney General.

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Methodology

USAFacts standardizes data, in areas such as time and demographics, to make it easier to understand and compare.

Page sources

USAFacts endeavors to share the most up-to-date information available. We sourced the data on this page directly from government agencies; however, the intervals at which agencies publish updated data vary.

  • Office of Personnel Management

    FedScope

  • Office of Management and Budget and US Department of the Treasury

    Budget of the US Government and Monthly Treasury Statement

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