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HRT vs SEAL

Fitness test and pay side by side. The published minimum fitness standards of HRT and SEAL, event by event, with pay where we have it. Higher levels are in the paid report.

UNITED STATESFBI Hostage Rescue Team (HRT)FBI Physical Fitness Test (2025 version)OFFICIALlast verified 2026-10-18Open the calculator →UNITED STATESU.S. Navy SEALPhysical Screening Test (PST)OFFICIALlast verified 2026-10-18Open the calculator →

Minimum standards, event by event

EventHRTSEAL
Pull-ups, untimedSEAL: Pull-ups (no time limit)210stricter
300 m sprint52.4 sonly this unit—
Push-ups, untimedSEAL: Push-ups (2 min)3050stricter
1.5-mile runSEAL: 1.5 mi run12:2410:30stricter
500 yd swim (side/breaststroke)—12:30only this unit
Curl-ups (2 min)—50only this unit

Events in the same row are similar but not identical — read the event names.

Higher levels (e.g. competitive or elevated standards) and your gap to each are in the paid report.

Where the bar is higher

SEAL sets the higher minimum in: pull-ups, push-ups, and run 1.5mi.

HRT tests 4 events, SEAL tests 5 events.

Pay

HRT
$13,037 / monthWhat an HRT operator earns · GS-13 (GS-1811 Special Agent, L058) · Step 1 · default scenario, gross
SEAL
$6,901 / monthWhat a SEAL earns · E-5 · >3 · default scenario, gross

Amounts are in each country’s own currency and are not converted.

Questions

Is HRT or SEAL harder to get into?

SEAL sets the higher minimum in: pull-ups, push-ups, and run 1.5mi. These are only the published fitness minimums; selection itself, medical and other requirements differ, and passing the minimum does not guarantee selection.

How do the HRT and SEAL fitness tests differ?

HRT: 4 events (pull-ups, 300 m, push-ups, 1.5 mi run). SEAL: 5 events (swim, push-ups, curl-ups, pull-ups, run 1.5mi).

Does HRT or SEAL pay more?

HRT: $13,037/month (GS-13 (GS-1811 Special Agent, L058) · Step 1); SEAL: $6,901/month (E-5 · >3) (default scenarios, gross). The default scenarios use different ranks and seniority, so this is not a like-for-like comparison — set the same rank in the pay calculator on each unit page.

Sources:
HRT
SEAL