Also called: Drug Enforcement Agent
Investigates drug trafficking organizations in the U.S. and around the world.
DEA agents run wiretaps on drug cartels, work undercover, seize shipments, and partner with police abroad. Some are posted in countries like Colombia or Mexico. Cases can take years to build.
Federal GS/GL pay plus 25% Law Enforcement Availability Pay (LEAP) and locality pay.
Approximate: anchored on Bureau of Labor Statistics data for a broader job group.
Bachelor's degree (4-year), about 4 years after high school. Bachelor's degree, U.S. citizenship, age limits (usually under 37 at hiring), tough fitness test, background check, and a long federal academy.
Ways in: 4-year college, Military. Training cost: $15k – $60k.
Majors to look at: Criminal Justice, Spanish, Accounting, Chemistry.
Growing about average. No separate BLS projection; hiring depends on federal budgets.
Low risk for 10 years. Wiretap transcription and data tools speed cases; undercover buys and raids stay human.
Classes: Spanish, Chemistry, Psychology, PE / fitness.
Official data: O*NET occupation 33-3021.
Career Universe is an early version. Pay, training and AI-risk figures are estimates to start your own research, not verified facts. The research was written with AI research assistants, checked by validation scripts and spot-checked by hand. Check anything important with schools, employers and official sources. How the numbers work.