What Do DEA Agents Do?
DEA agents are a special breed of elite law enforcement officials who are responsible for combating the illegal drug trade. DEA agents monitor drug trafficking in this country (and abroad), working with local federal law enforcement agencies to collect evidence and make arrests. The Drug Enforcement Agency typically focuses on bringing in and prosecuting major violators to help cripple criminal organizations. And, because the drug trade isn't confined within American borders, DEA agents also coordinate with their respective drug enforcement agencies in other countries to apprehend suspects and disrupt the flow of illegal substances (and mitigate the crime associated with them).
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How to Become a DEA Agent
DEA Schooling
So how do you join the DEA? When selecting special agents, the DEA looks for candidates with at least a bachelor's degree in any field with a 2.95 GPA or more. It's not a DEA requirement, but a bachelor's degree in criminal justice might be a good way to learn valuable skills for this field. Aspiring agents with a master's degree in criminal justice or a Juris Doctor may have an added advantage. Some candidates might be considered without a degree if they have special skills or extensive experience in criminal investigation. The DEA will also consider applicants who have a bachelor's degree (with any GPA) and skills the agency prioritizes, such as accounting, telecommunications, foreign language fluency, information systems, or engineering.
DEA Agent Requirements
Aside from education and experience, there are a number of requirements prospective DEA agents must meet to get hired. They must be:
- Between 21 and 36 years of age
- Able to move anywhere in the U.S.
- In excellent physical condition
- A U.S. citizen
- Able to handle firearms
In addition, there are several physical requirements candidates must meet:
- Excellent vision
- No hearing loss
- Mental and emotional stability
- Manual dexterity
DEA Special Agent Skills
Because DEA agents work in a taxing and demanding field, they're required to have a unique set of skills, and these skills are tested by the DEA during the hiring process. Candidates should have strong skills in:
- Written and verbal communication
- Problem-solving
- Teamwork
- Memory
- Attention to detail
DEA Special Agent Hiring and Training
The DEA employment process can take up to 12 months. After submitting an application, candidates will undergo an assessment of their qualifications, be given a drug test, interviewed by a panel and put through a medical and physical exam before undergoing a full background check and a polygraph test. Once these are complete, the agency will make its final decision and send the new agent to the DEA Training Academy for Basic Agent Training.
DEA Salary
The salary for DEA agents may depend on education and experience, but is based on the General Schedule (GS) government employee salary system. There's the Law Enforcement Officer base pay for federal officers, plus a Law Enforcement Availability Pay (LEAP) that adds 25%. Based on the DEA website in 2019, if an agent is hired at the GS-7 level, they make $49,746, while those hired at the GS-9 level will make $55,483. Once they've got four years of service under their belts, DEA special agents are eligible for the GS-13 level and can make $92,592 or more per year.
