How to Become a Drug Enforcement Admin (DEA)
Drug enforcement involves as much computer and white-collar investigation as it does undercover work. Many cases today are made on the basis of accounting and financial investigations as well as on the undercover agent who buys drugs from a dealer. The undercover work gets most of the attention, probably as a result of television programming depicting the work as glamorous and exciting, but the rock-solid cases against major dealers are being made by the behind-the-scenes tracking of money, failure to pay taxes, and illegal smuggling activities.
The educational requirements for drug enforcement agent jobs depend on the agency hiring the agent. Federal agencies usually require a Bachelor’s Degree from an accredited state university. State-level drug enforcement agencies usually require at least a two-year Associate’s Degree earned at an accredited community college or technical school. Online educational opportunities can fulfill the requirement as well. Some nationally accredited colleges allow students to earn their degree at home while others require a brief stay on campus.
How Much Does a Drug Enforcement Admin (DEA) Make - Drug Enforcement Admin (DEA) Salaries
The pay scales for drug enforcement agent jobs vary widely and depend entirely on the agency involved. Most local city and county agencies start in the $20,000 to $30,000 range. State-level jobs begin at about $26,000 to $30,000 range. Federal jobs generally start at about $30,000 to $35,000 and eventually reach somewhere between $50,000 to $60,000.