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Entry Level Dea Jobs (NOW HIRING)

Material Handler

Denver, CO

$17.25 - $20.75/hr

This is an entry level role with possibility for advancement. Monday - Thursday from 5:00 AM to 3 ... DEA, FDA, etc.) • Manages inventory from receipt to shipment, ensuring materials are properly ...

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Entry Level Dea information

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$12

$17

$21

How much do entry level dea jobs pay per hour?

As of Jun 18, 2026, the average hourly pay for entry level dea in the United States is $17.46, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $15.62 and $18.99 per hour, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What is the difference between Entry Level Dea vs Entry Level Pharmacist?

AspectEntry Level DeaEntry Level Pharmacist
Required CredentialsHigh school diploma or equivalent; DEA registration for handling controlled substancesDoctor of Pharmacy (PharmD) degree; state licensure
Work EnvironmentPharmaceutical warehouses, distribution centers, law enforcement agenciesCommunity pharmacies, hospitals, clinics
Employer & Industry UsagePharmaceutical companies, law enforcement, regulatory agenciesHealthcare facilities, retail pharmacies, hospitals
Common Search & Comparison IntentUnderstanding entry-level roles in drug regulation and distributionEntry-level pharmacy practice and patient care roles

While both roles involve working with medications, Entry Level Dea typically focuses on regulatory compliance and handling controlled substances, often in law enforcement or distribution settings. Entry Level Pharmacist involves direct patient care, medication dispensing, and clinical responsibilities. The main difference lies in their work environment, credentials, and industry focus.

How do you start working for the DEA?

To start working for the DEA as an entry-level agent, candidates must meet minimum requirements including U.S. citizenship, a valid driver's license, and a bachelor's degree. The application process involves submitting an online application, passing written exams, physical and medical tests, background checks, and interviews. Successful candidates typically complete a specialized training program at the DEA Academy.

What are Entry Level DEA positions?

Entry level DEA positions are roles within the Drug Enforcement Administration designed for individuals starting their careers in federal law enforcement. These positions often include titles such as Special Agent Trainee, Diversion Investigator, or Intelligence Research Specialist. Entry level roles typically require a bachelor's degree and may involve a rigorous hiring process, including background checks, physical fitness tests, and training at the DEA Academy. These jobs focus on investigating and preventing drug-related crimes, supporting ongoing cases, and learning the fundamentals of DEA operations. Entry level DEA employees play an important role in supporting the agency’s mission to enforce controlled substance laws and regulations.

How hard is it to get hired by the DEA?

Getting hired as an entry-level DEA agent involves a competitive process that includes passing written exams, physical fitness tests, background checks, drug tests, and interviews. Candidates typically need a bachelor's degree, relevant experience, and must meet strict eligibility criteria, including U.S. citizenship and age requirements.

What are some typical challenges faced by entry-level DEA agents and how are they supported in overcoming them?

Entry-level DEA agents often encounter challenges such as adapting to rigorous training, learning complex federal regulations, and managing the demands of field investigations. New agents are typically paired with experienced mentors and participate in structured on-the-job training to help them transition smoothly. The agency also offers resources like peer support groups and ongoing professional development to ensure that new agents can handle high-pressure situations and build their investigative skills.

Is DEA entry level?

The DEA (Drug Enforcement Administration) offers entry-level positions such as Special Agent Trainee, which typically require a bachelor's degree and a background check. These roles often involve training programs and may require passing physical and written exams before employment.

How much does an entry level dea agent make?

Entry-level DEA agents typically earn between $50,000 and $70,000 annually, depending on location, education, and experience. Starting salaries may include benefits such as health insurance and retirement plans, and agents often undergo specialized training and background checks before employment.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as an Entry Level DEA Agent, and why are they important?

To thrive as an Entry Level DEA Agent, you generally need a bachelor's degree in criminal justice or a related field, strong analytical abilities, and U.S. citizenship. Familiarity with investigative tools, firearms handling, and law enforcement databases such as NCIC is typically required, along with completion of the DEA Basic Agent Training Academy. Exceptional attention to detail, integrity, adaptability, and strong communication skills help agents excel in high-pressure and sensitive situations. These competencies ensure agents can effectively enforce drug laws, conduct thorough investigations, and maintain public safety.
More about Entry Level Dea jobs
What cities are hiring for Entry Level Dea jobs? Cities with the most Entry Level Dea job openings:
What are the most commonly searched types of Dea jobs? The most popular types of Dea jobs are:
What states have the most Entry Level Dea jobs? States with the most job openings for Entry Level Dea jobs include:
Infographic showing various Entry Level Dea job openings in the United States as of June 2026, with employment types broken down into 3% As Needed, 85% Full Time, 2% Part Time, and 10% Contract. Highlights an 97% Physical, 1% Hybrid, and 2% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $36,327 per year, or $17.5 per hour.
Student Trainee (Administration and Clerical Assistance)

Student Trainee (Administration and Clerical Assistance)

Department of Justice

Green Bay, WI • On-site

$27K/yr

Other

Posted 3 days ago


Job description

This is a Student Internship position under the Pathways Internship Program. This position is located in the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA), Chicago Division, New Orleans Division, Detroit Division, and St. Louis Division.
These position(s) primary purpose is to provide clerical and administrative support to the field and HQ offices.Qualifications:For more information on eligibility requirements see: DEA Employment Eligibility
Applicants must meet all of the required qualification requirements described below by the closing of this announcement.
Positions are open to current students pursuing a qualifying degree or certificate in an accredited high school, college (including 4-year colleges/universities, community colleges, and junior colleges); professional, technical, vocational, and trade school; advanced degree programs; or other qualifying educational institution on at least a half-time basis (as defined by the institution in which the student is enrolled).
To qualify for a Student Trainee (Administration and Clerical Assistance) as a GS-03 grade level must include completion of 1 full academic year of post-high study.
To qualify for a Student Trainee (Administration and Clerical Assistance) as a GS-04 grade level must include completion of 2 full academic years of post-high study or an associate's degree.
  • At the undergraduate level, successfully completed education that has not led to possession of a degree is credited based on its relationship to 120 semester hours or 180 quarter hours. For example, 30 semester hours or 45 quarter hours is comparable to 1 year of undergraduate education. Four years of progressive study or 120 semester hours meets the degree requirements. Additional credit cannot be given for duplicate course work.
  • For study at a business or technical school, 36 weeks of study (20+ classroom hours per week) is comparable to 1 academic year above high school.
  • An academic year of graduate education is considered to be the number of credit hours that the school attended has determined to represent 1 academic year of full-time study. This determination is made based on normal course loads for a full year of study in the graduate program. If that information cannot be obtained from the school, 18 semester hours or 27 quarter hours should be considered as satisfying the 1 year of full-time study requirement. Part-time graduate education is creditable in accordance with its relationship to a year of full-time study at the school attended.
  • When academic credit is expressed in contract months, units, or other terms that differ from conventional semester or quarter hours, it is the responsibility of the applicant to provide an interpretation of such credits from the appropriate institution in order to equate them to the semester or quarter hours specified in the standard.
NOTE: If your college, vocational, trade, or technical institution's definition of "academic year" differs from above, you must submit proof of this difference (e.g., copy of course catalog that defines an academic year). Absent this documentation, you will screened for academic qualifications based on the academic hours as defined in the bullets above.
All qualification requirements must be met by the closing date of this announcement. Only education obtained by the closing date of this announcement will be considered.
Additional information on the qualification requirements is outlined in the OPM Qualifications Standards Handbook of General Schedule Positions. It is available for your review in our office, in other Federal agency personnel offices, and on OPM's web site.
Competencies: Your qualifications will be evaluated on the basis of your level of competencies in the following areas:
Attention to Detail, Flexibility, Interpersonal Skills, Learning, Problem Solving, Self-Management, and Technology Application
For this internship, you must be able to work part-time when school is in session and full-time when not attending classes.
Interns will be assigned tasks designed to increase familiarity with the target occupation in a real-world work environment.
This opportunity follows a standard promotional path:
  1. Internship selection will be made at the GS-03 and GS-04 level. These grade levels are what typical college students in their second year may qualify.
  2. Within 120 days after completion of Internship requirements, you may be eligible for conversion into a permanent position without further competition and provided the Hiring Division/Office has an appropriate vacant position available at that time.
  3. Entry level for these positions are typically at the GS-05 level. The actual grade level at the time of conversion depends on academic achievement and other factors. The full performance level of this position is GS-05.
  4. Progression from the entry-level to the full performance level for this occupation will depend on successful completion of all requirements for promotion. Promotions may be considered after a year at each grade level but are not guaranteed to occur on a specific time schedule.
See requirements for conversion to permanent or term position in the "Additional Information" section below.
This position is a temporary excepted service appointment, Not To Exceed (NTE) for one year with the possibility of extension without further posting. This student position can possibly be extended until the student graduates or is no longer enrolled at which time the position will be terminated.
If selected, you must sign a Pathways Participant Agreement; be able to furnish course registration information at the start of each school term; and be able to provide verification of academic status (official transcript) at the end of each academic term.
The student intern serves a trial period for the duration of their excepted service appointment.
Education:Pathways Student Program Education Requirement:
To be eligible for an appointment, you must meet requirements A, B, and C.
A. Must be currently accepted for enrollment OR currently enrolled in a qualifying educational institution (a public high school whose curriculum has been approved by a State or local governing body; a private school that provides secondary education as determined under State law, a home school that is allowed to operate in a State; any of the following educational institutions or curricula that have been accredited by an accrediting body recognized by the Secretary of the U.S. Department of Education: technical or vocational school; a 2-year or 4-year college or university; a graduate or professional school (e.g. law school, medical school); or a post-secondary home school curriculum), on a full or half-time basis. You must remain enrolled and will be required to provide proof of current student status to be eligible for this program. For a list of schools that meet this criteria, click here.
B. You must maintain student eligibility and enrollment for the duration of the internship. If you do not maintain eligibility and enrollment, you are ineligible for this program. Please review this vacancy announcement in its entirety to ensure that you qualify to apply to this internship.
C. Every semester, you must maintain good academic standing with an overall GPA of 2.5 or higher on a 4.0 scale. Students must maintain a cumulative grade point average (GPA) of a least 2.5 on a 4.0 scale (or equivalent) throughout their appointment to remain in the program. All academic degrees and coursework must be completed at a college or university that has obtained accreditation or pre-accreditation status from an accrediting body recognized by the U.S. Department of Education.
Applicants MUST submit a current transcript with the online application that details current classes or enrollment status and GPA. For transcripts which do not include current enrollment status then applicants can attach proof of enrollment in addition to their current transcripts.
  • For Accredited Post-Secondary Institutions, click Database of Accredited Postsecondary Institutions and Programs
  • For Registered State Apprenticeship Programs Information, click State Apprenticeship Programs
  • For Other Apprenticeship Programs, click Apprenticeship Programs
  • For Industry-Endorsed Certificate Programs, click Career One Stop Certificate Finder
Any applicant falsely claiming an academic degree from an accredited school will be subject to actions ranging from disqualification from federal employment to removal from federal service.
FOREIGN EDUCATION: If you are using education completed in foreign colleges or universities to meet the qualification requirements, you must show the education credentials have been evaluated by a private organization that specializes in interpretation of foreign education programs and such education has been deemed equivalent to that gained in an accredited U.S. education program; or full credit has been given for the courses at a U.S. accredited college or university. For further information, click here.Employment Type: OTHER