Becoming a DEA Agent: Careers, Salary and Job Requirements

According to the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA.gov), the DEA is the premier drug enforcement organization in the world and the only single-mission federal agency dedicated to drug law enforcement.

Using unique operational and intelligence capabilities, the men and women of DEA identify, investigate, disrupt, and dismantle major drug trafficking organizations and those who facilitate them, remove drugs and violent criminals from our neighborhoods, and fight the diversion of licit drugs.

DEA Agent

For those who are interested in working for the Drug Enforcement Agency as an agent, it is important to consider the risks and challenges of this position.

DEA agents fight against the abuse and smuggling of narcotics into the United States.

One of the hardest parts of this career is fighting against organized drug trafficking.

DEA agents often work closely with border patrol agents, customs agents, and the FBI.

Responsibilities

DEA agents are responsible for monitoring the activities of known terrorists.

This includes preventing terrorist groups from producing illegal substances that are often used to fund illegal activities.

Agents will investigate and arrest any person who is involved in any type of terrorist activity.

Undercover roles and surveillance operations are a typical part of being an agent for the Drug Enforcement Agency.

Mandatory Requirements

There are several mandatory requirements for individuals who are interested in starting a career as a DEA agent.

These include:

  • A person has to be a citizen of the United States
  • Must be over the age of 21 and under the age of 36
  • Must have a driver’s license that is valid in the United States
  • Cannot be color blind
  • Vision must be at least 20/20 in one eye, the other eye can be no worse than 20/40
  • The hearing must be sharp
  • Must be capable of lifting a minimum of 45 pounds
  • Must hold a bachelor’s in criminal justice

Education Requirements

Anyone who wishes to work as a DEA agent must first obtain a bachelor’s degree in criminal justice from an accredited college or university.

This is the minimum degree required.

There may be some positions that allow degrees in other areas of study, such as criminology or law.

Experience as a law enforcement agent can help meet the education requirements in some instances. Drugs and money retrieved as evidence by the DEA

However, a criminal justice degree is preferred in the majority of instances.

In addition, many DEA agents will be required to learn and speak Spanish.

It is recommended that Spanish courses be taken while earning a degree.

Application Process

For those who meet the mandatory requirements, the next step is to contact a local DEA office and participate in an orientation session.

Make sure that you bring a military ID or driver’s license. Make sure to wear formal business attire to the orientation.

An application will be filled out during the orientation session.

The hiring process begins when the application is accepted.

During the application process, you are required to take and pass a drug test and a polygraph test.

A background check will be conducted as well as a medical examination, psychological assessment, witness assessment, and a physical task test that is quite rigorous.

After the assessments and tests are completed, you will then wait to hear back from the agency.

This entire process can take up to a year to complete.

If accepted, you will be offered a place to train to become an agent for the DEA.

During the training academy, recruits will take part in both classroom and physical training.

The role of a DEA agent requires an individual to be in excellent physical shape.

U.S. Average Salary: $98770

$54.2KK
$59.6KK
$98.8KK
$108.6KK
$119.5KK
10%
25%
50%
75%
90%

Salary Information by State

State Employed Avg. Annual Salary Avg. Hourly Pay Top 10% Annual Salary Bottom 10% Annual Salary
Alabama1,290$77,900$37.45$147,850$41,970
Alaska130$127,090$61.10$180,090$74,270
Arizona5,220$98,670$47.44$140,360$61,310
Arkansas560$67,640$32.52$142,190$40,360
California11,900$120,930$58.14$165,230$79,350
Connecticut890$99,560$47.86$116,220$77,210
Delaware**$105,460$50.70$175,430$60,670
Florida6,310$94,360$45.37$160,620$51,290
Georgia4,820$76,520$36.79$146,490$43,820
Hawaii440$124,950$60.07$166,190$96,370
Idaho520$86,860$41.76$142,190$54,570
Illinois3,100$97,900$47.07$158,720$53,600
Indiana1,240$79,500$38.22$130,440$49,870
Iowa380$86,140$41.41$143,230$56,580
Kansas1,070$74,870$36.00$101,320$46,420
Kentucky700$88,950$42.76$150,800$49,820
Louisiana1,870$69,230$33.28$129,250$39,320
Maine540$90,140$43.34$122,640$59,740
Maryland960$127,850$61.47$186,760$69,800
Massachusetts1,170$118,660$57.05$180,090$74,360
Michigan2,050$104,170$50.08$166,300$71,820
Minnesota1,770$88,940$42.76$115,810$60,130
Mississippi810$67,560$32.48$129,250$40,710
Missouri1,440$87,900$42.26$153,150$48,690
Montana470$94,470$45.42$141,290$61,360
Nebraska280$101,710$48.90$152,240$64,230
Nevada580$101,180$48.65$153,900$61,640
New Hampshire410$99,180$47.68$160,620$75,680
New Jersey3,000$116,770$56.14$170,680$70,850
New Mexico2,000$83,500$40.15$107,240$48,040
New York9,410$106,280$51.10$168,770$61,450
North Carolina3,240$75,320$36.21$134,870$49,820
North Dakota420$86,660$41.67$123,000$55,560
Ohio2,120$89,760$43.15$151,900$57,510
Oklahoma1,280$83,850$40.31$129,250$51,030
Oregon470$114,240$54.93$162,200$82,770
Pennsylvania3,390$102,050$49.06$151,720$63,510
Rhode Island440$96,810$46.54$146,020$76,670
South Carolina1,330$77,110$37.07$146,490$49,740
South Dakota230$90,250$43.39$142,190$59,540
Tennessee1,960$83,560$40.17$144,290$49,670
Texas18,020$91,250$43.87$137,860$50,920
Utah560$87,790$42.21$150,800$48,670
Vermont210$101,860$48.97$153,570$64,980
Virginia3,170$117,280$56.38$191,650$62,320
Washington1,680$118,100$56.78$164,240$86,200
West Virginia210$101,920$49.00$168,040$45,300
Wisconsin1,480$92,950$44.69$107,240$67,630
Wyoming170$91,300$43.90$146,490$62,230
Puerto Rico630$85,370$41.04$155,110$38,130

Annual Average Salary: Top 10 States

Maryland tops the list in this field, with an average salary of $127,850.

These are the leading 10 states in terms of earnings in the field:

Maryland - $127,850
Alaska - $127,090
Hawaii - $124,950
California - $120,930
Massachusetts - $118,660
Washington - $118,100
Virginia - $117,280
New Jersey - $116,770
Oregon - $114,240
New York - $106,280
* Salary information based on the May 2024 Occupational Employment Statistics (OES) Survey for Detectives and Criminal Investigators, OCC Code 33-3021, BLS.
* Employment conditions in your area may vary.

Michael Morales
Michael is the Webmaster and Editor in Chief for Legalcareerpath.com. With a strong background in Web Publishing and Internet Marketing, he currently works as an independent consultant. A former paramedic and EMS educator, he enjoys punishing himself doing triathlons and endurance sports. Michael currently lives in sunny Northern California, home of the highest tax rates in the United States.

3 Responses to Becoming a DEA Agent: Careers, Salary and Job Requirements

  1. Carol Cogley #

    I greatly respect DEA agents for their dedication to combatting drug-related crime, which is hard in protecting the communities around the country or the world.

  2. Stuart Sealfon #

    They always face danger because they are dealing with drugs at work and the risk of working as a DEA agent is also a risk for their families.

  3. Robyn Fener #

    This is one of the best jobs because it offers a unique opportunity to make a lasting impact on public health and safety by actively addressing one of the most pressing issues of our time.

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