1

Drug Enforcement Administration Jobs (NOW HIRING)

next page

Showing results 1-20

Drug Enforcement Administration information

See salary details

$28.5K

$60K

$94K

How much do drug enforcement administration jobs pay per year?

As of Jun 23, 2026, the average yearly pay for drug enforcement administration in the United States is $59,965.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $47,000.00 and $69,000.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

Can I join DEA without a degree?

The Drug Enforcement Administration typically requires applicants to have at least a bachelor's degree from an accredited institution. While a degree is generally necessary, relevant experience or specialized skills may also be considered for certain positions. Candidates should review specific job requirements for the role they are interested in.

What are some common challenges faced by agents working at the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA)?

DEA agents often encounter challenges such as high-stress situations, unpredictable schedules, and exposure to dangerous environments during investigations. The role requires agents to work closely with local, state, and international law enforcement agencies, which can present coordination and communication hurdles. Additionally, agents must stay up to date on changing drug trends and laws, and often handle sensitive information that demands strict confidentiality and professionalism. These challenges are balanced by comprehensive training, strong team support, and opportunities for career advancement within the agency.

Is it hard to get hired by the DEA?

Getting hired by the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) is competitive and involves a rigorous selection process, including background checks, drug testing, physical fitness assessments, and interviews. Candidates typically need relevant education, law enforcement experience, or specialized skills, and must meet strict eligibility requirements such as U.S. citizenship and security clearance. The process can take several months due to the thorough screening involved.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as a Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) Special Agent, and why are they important?

To thrive as a DEA Special Agent, you need a strong background in criminal justice or a related field, physical fitness, and eligibility for federal law enforcement, typically supported by a bachelor's degree and relevant work experience. Familiarity with investigative technologies, firearms, surveillance equipment, and completion of the DEA Training Academy are standard requirements. Exceptional integrity, critical thinking, resilience, and effective communication are vital soft skills for navigating high-pressure situations and building trust within communities. These skills and qualifications are crucial for enforcing drug laws, conducting complex investigations, and ensuring public safety.

How to become a Drug Enforcement Administration agent?

To become a Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) agent, candidates must meet age and citizenship requirements, pass a background check, drug test, and physical fitness assessment, and complete a rigorous training program at the Federal Law Enforcement Training Center. A bachelor's degree and relevant work experience or military service can strengthen an application, and applicants should demonstrate strong communication, problem-solving, and integrity skills.

Do DEA agents make a lot of money?

DEA agents typically earn a competitive salary that varies based on experience, location, and rank, with starting salaries often around $50,000 to $60,000 annually and increasing with seniority. They also receive benefits such as health insurance, retirement plans, and overtime pay. Overall, while not among the highest-paying federal jobs, DEA agents earn a solid income relative to law enforcement positions.

What is the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA)?

The Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) is a United States federal agency under the Department of Justice responsible for enforcing the controlled substances laws and regulations. The DEA's primary mission is to combat drug smuggling and use within the United States, as well as to coordinate and pursue investigations with international partners. DEA agents investigate major drug crimes, oversee the regulation of legal pharmaceuticals, and work to dismantle drug trafficking organizations. The agency also offers support and training to other law enforcement agencies at the federal, state, and local levels.

What is the difference between Drug Enforcement Administration vs Customs and Border Protection Officer?

AspectDrug Enforcement Administration (DEA)Customs and Border Protection Officer (CBPO)
Required CredentialsHigh school diploma or GED; DEA Special Agent requires additional training and background checksHigh school diploma or GED; training at the Federal Law Enforcement Training Center (FLETC)
Work EnvironmentFederal agency focused on drug trafficking investigations, labs, and enforcementBorder crossings, ports, and airports, focusing on customs violations and border security
Employer & IndustryU.S. Department of Justice, law enforcement, drug enforcementU.S. Customs and Border Protection, border security, immigration, and customs

The DEA and CBPO roles both involve federal law enforcement but differ in focus and environment. DEA agents primarily investigate drug crimes within the U.S., while CBPO officers focus on border security and customs enforcement at ports of entry. Both require federal training and serve in law enforcement agencies, but their daily duties and operational settings vary significantly.

More about Drug Enforcement Administration jobs
What cities are hiring for Drug Enforcement Administration jobs? Cities with the most Drug Enforcement Administration job openings:
What states have the most Drug Enforcement Administration jobs? States with the most job openings for Drug Enforcement Administration jobs include:
Manager, Drug Enforcement Administration

Manager, Drug Enforcement Administration

Catalent Pharma Solutions

Kansas City, MO

Full-time

Medical, Dental, Vision, Life, Retirement, PTO

Posted 6 days ago


Catalent rating

7.4

Company rating: 7.4 out of 10

Based on 51 frontline employees who took The Breakroom Quiz

52nd of 71 rated pharmaceutical


Job description

Manager, Drug Enforcement Administration

Position Summary:

  • This is a full-time salaried position, based out of our Kansas City, MO site

  • Relocation assistance provided

The Manager, Drug Enforcement Administration will oversee the state of DEA regulatory compliance of controlled substances at the Kansas City, MO site through the following: oversee the inventory and other aspects regarding the use and storage of controlled substances in pharmaceutical dosage forms in development, laboratory, manufacturing, and packaging environments. The Manager, Drug Enforcement Administration will support all necessary regulations with DEA 21 CFR 1300 to end, Bureau of Narcotics and Dangerous Drugs and state licensure, state reporting and maintaining NABP Drug Distributor Accreditation.

Catalent's Kansas City facility is home to our Oral & Specialty Drug Delivery, Biologics Analytical Services and Clinical Supply Services businesses. The site provides a range of integrated services for oral solid dosage forms, from formulation development and analytical testing to clinical and commercial-scale manufacture. The facility is the commercial manufacturing Center-of-Excellence for accelerated development programs and roller compaction.

The Role:

  • Responsible to ensure order, receipt and process distributions are observed and recorded per site procedures to assure the inventory records of Controlled Substances are accurate and completed to meet DEA regulations

  • Provide training for Authorized Associates approved to work with Controlled Substances and oversight of daily activities

  • Assure new hires are appropriately screened and existing DEA Authorized Associates are rescreened, as required by site procedures while maintaining an accurate list of Authorized Associates at all times

  • Support Audit Ready 365 initiatives including management of DEA inspections through ownership of DEA binder, tracking of observation findings and action completions in Trackwise, and other duties as required

  • Provide support as DEA Subject Matter Expert, as required

  • Responsible for the controlled substance programs at KCM to include holding Power of Attorney for DEA Registrations. Complete accurately, file, and submit (as required) DEA 222 forms, DEA imports and exports, completion of DEA renewal applications, File DEA 106s (theft and loss form), ARCOS, YERS, and required end of year reports

  • Participate in all inventory variances, deviations, and/or investigations involving controlled substances

  • Provide support of state licensure, including Drug Distributor Accreditation, through the review of applications; Ensure license expiration dates are monitored and renewal applications completed on time to assure KCM operates a GMP facility in compliance with Applicable Laws, including the requirements for state reporting of controlled substances

  • Other duties as assigned

The Candidate:

  • Bachelor's Degree, required

  • Minimum of five years of DEA Compliance experience, required

  • Demonstrated people management over at least 3 direct reports, required

  • Scientific and Quality Assurance experience, preferred

  • Individual may be required to sit, stand, walk regularly and occasionally lift 0-15 pounds

  • Demonstrable leadership experience at Catalent (including but not limited to participation in Catalent-sponsored leadership programs such as NGGL, GOLD, LEAD Now, GM Excellence, and GROW) may be considered in place of external experience

Why You Should Join Catalent:

  • Defined career path and annual performance review and feedback process

  • 152 hours of PTO + 8 paid holidays

  • Community engagement and green initiatives

  • Generous 401K match

  • Medical, dental and vision benefits effective day one of employment

Catalent offers rewarding opportunities to further your career! Join the global drug development and delivery leader and help us bring over 7,000 life-saving and life-enhancing products to patients around the world. Catalent is an exciting and growing international company where employees work directly with pharma, biopharma and consumer health companies of all sizes to advance new medicines from early development to clinical trials and to the market. Catalent produces more than 70 billion doses per year, and each one will be used by someone who is counting on us. Join us in making a difference.

personal initiative. dynamic pace. meaningful work.

Visit Catalent Careers to explore career opportunities.

Catalent is an Equal Opportunity Employer, including disability and veterans.

If you require reasonable accommodation for any part of the application or hiring process due to a disability, you may submit your request by sending an email, and confirming your request for an accommodation and include the job number, title and location to DisabilityAccommodations@catalent.com. This option is reserved for individuals who require accommodation due to a disability. Information received will be processed by a U.S. Catalent employee and then routed to a local recruiter who will provide assistance to ensure appropriate consideration in the application or hiring process.

Notice to Agency and Search Firm Representatives: Catalent Pharma Solutions (Catalent) is not accepting unsolicited resumes from agencies and/or search firms for this job posting. Resumes submitted to any Catalent employee by a third party agency and/or search firm without a valid written & signed search agreement, will become the sole property of Catalent. No fee will be paid if a candidate is hired for this position as a result of an unsolicited agency or search firm referral. Thank you.

Important Security Notice to U.S. Job Seekers:

Catalent NEVER asks candidates to provide any type of payment, bank details, photocopies of identification, social security number or other highly sensitive personal information during the offer process, and we NEVER do so via email or social media. If you receive any such request, DO NOT respond- it is a fraudulent request. Please forward such requests to spam@catalent.com for us to investigate with local authorities.

California Job Seekers can find our California Job Applicant Notice HERE.


What Catalent employees say

Pay

Benefits

Hours and flexibility

Workplace

Get the full story on Breakroom


Catalent logo

About Catalent

Sourced by ZipRecruiter

Catalent is an exciting and growing international company where employees work directly with pharma, biopharma and consumer health companies of all sizes to advance new medicines from early development to clinical trials and to the market. Catalent produces more than 70 billion doses per year, and each one will be used by someone who is counting on us. Join us in making a difference.Catalent is committed to the health and safety of its employees, visitors and the customers and patients we serve.

Industry

Pharmaceutical product wholesalers

Company size

10,000+ Employees

Headquarters location

Somerset, NJ, US

Year founded

2007

Social media