Does DEA pay their employees well?

According to anonymously submitted Glassdoor reviews, DEA employees rate their compensation and benefits as 4.3 out of 5. Find out more about salaries and benefits at DEA. This rating has improved by 3% over the last 12 months.

How satisfied are employees working at DEA?

78% of DEA employees would recommend working there to a friend based on Glassdoor reviews . Employees also rated DEA 3.6 out of 5 for work life balance, 3.6 for culture and values and 4.0 for career opportunities.

What are the top reviewed jobs at DEA?

Special Agent (30) , Supervisory Special Agent (11) , Investigative Assistant (5) , Assistant Special Agent In Charge (4) , Diversion Investigator (4) , Special Agent/Criminal Investigator (4) , Criminal Investigator (3) , Intelligence Analyst (3) , Intelligence Research Specialist (3) , Investigator (3) , Senior Special Agent (3) , Administrative (2) , Administrative Assistant (2) , Analyst (2) , Contract Specialist (2)

What are the pros of working at DEA according to real employee reviews?

"Great benefits!!!! Flexibility Good retirement" ((in 14 reviews)); "Pay and benefits are good." ((in 8 reviews)); "Also good opportunities to travel throughout the United States and the world." ((in 7 reviews)); "You get experience and meet great people" ((in 7 reviews)); "satisfying and rewarding career." ((in 3 reviews))

What are the cons of working at DEA according to real employee reviews?

"Long hours and dangerous at time." ((in 9 reviews)); "Bad management, no consistency with practices" ((in 4 reviews)); "Failed leadership, dramatic culture change" ((in 4 reviews)); "Not much room for upward mobility" ((in 3 reviews)); "Upper management does not care about the federal employees and contractors’ well being." ((in 3 reviews))

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DEA

DEA Reviews

3.9

78% would recommend to a friend

(177 total reviews)

Robert W Patterson

55% approve of CEO

54% positive business outlook

Company ratings over time

Ratings trend for the last 6 months (177 reviews)

DEA has an employee rating of 3.9 out of 5 stars, based on 177 company reviews on Glassdoor which indicates that most employees have a good working experience there. The DEA employee rating is in line with the average (within 1 standard deviation) for employers within the Government and public administration industry (3.6 stars).

Reviews by job title

177 reviews

3.0

27 Mar 2026

Benefits and growth opportunities overshadow poor culture and leadership

Anonymous employee

Recommend

CEO approval

Business outlook

Pros

- BENEFITS - Opportunity for growth - Work Stability

Cons

- Culture - Leadership - Overall Scientific research approach - Work Inconsistencies and constant changing

4.0

6 Mar 2026

Great Mission

Anonymous employee

Recommend

CEO approval

Business outlook

Pros

Mission focus; engaged leadership; nice/clean offices; good location

Cons

Special Agents (SA) running the non-SA/Business side threatens progress and new thinking. Telework very restrictive.

3.0

30 Sept 2025

great job

Maintenance

Recommend

CEO approval

Business outlook

Pros

great retirement, pay and leave

Cons

Mandate OT, Augment to non hire positions

Viewing 1 - 3 of 177 Reviews

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Arlington, VA

US$122K - US$158K /yr

(Employer provided)

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San Francisco, CA

US$112K - US$173K /yr

(Employer provided)

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Chief Financial Officer

Arlington, VA

US$152K - US$228K /yr

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Arlington, VA

US$122K - US$197K /yr

(Employer provided)

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DEA Reviews

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Benefits and growth opportunities overshadow poor culture and leadership

Great Mission

great job

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