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Drug enforcement agent vs criminal investigative agent

The differences between drug enforcement agents and criminal investigative agents can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. It typically takes 1-2 years to become both a drug enforcement agent and a criminal investigative agent. Additionally, a drug enforcement agent has an average salary of $65,372, which is higher than the $56,775 average annual salary of a criminal investigative agent.

The top three skills for a drug enforcement agent include patrol, DEA and law enforcement agencies. The most important skills for a criminal investigative agent are physical evidence, law enforcement agencies, and surveillance operations.

Drug enforcement agent vs criminal investigative agent overview

Drug Enforcement AgentCriminal Investigative Agent
Yearly salary$65,372$56,775
Hourly rate$31.43$27.30
Growth rate3%3%
Number of jobs26,26825,834
Job satisfaction--
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 61%Bachelor's Degree, 60%
Average age4444
Years of experience22

Drug enforcement agent vs criminal investigative agent salary

Drug enforcement agents and criminal investigative agents have different pay scales, as shown below.

Drug Enforcement AgentCriminal Investigative Agent
Average salary$65,372$56,775
Salary rangeBetween $39,000 And $107,000Between $38,000 And $83,000
Highest paying City--
Highest paying state--
Best paying company--
Best paying industry--

Differences between drug enforcement agent and criminal investigative agent education

There are a few differences between a drug enforcement agent and a criminal investigative agent in terms of educational background:

Drug Enforcement AgentCriminal Investigative Agent
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 61%Bachelor's Degree, 60%
Most common majorCriminal JusticeCriminal Justice
Most common college--

Drug enforcement agent vs criminal investigative agent demographics

Here are the differences between drug enforcement agents' and criminal investigative agents' demographics:

Drug Enforcement AgentCriminal Investigative Agent
Average age4444
Gender ratioMale, 70.2% Female, 29.8%Male, 79.0% Female, 21.0%
Race ratioBlack or African American, 12.1% Unknown, 5.0% Hispanic or Latino, 17.2% Asian, 2.8% White, 62.3% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.7%Black or African American, 11.5% Unknown, 5.0% Hispanic or Latino, 17.2% Asian, 2.8% White, 62.8% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.7%
LGBT Percentage9%9%

Differences between drug enforcement agent and criminal investigative agent duties and responsibilities

Drug enforcement agent example responsibilities.

  • Conduct joint planning and manage AFOSI's criminal investigations and counterintelligence operations in northern Italy.
  • Assist DDA with administrative personnel matters.
  • Serve administrative subpoenas for patient documents, prescription profiles, and phone tolls to obtain pertinent information for investigations.
  • Guide and advise lead security managers for major defense contractors and countless other DOD organizations, regarding their security programs.
  • Guide and advise lead security managers for major defense contractors and countless other DOD organizations, regarding their security programs.

Criminal investigative agent example responsibilities.

  • Conduct joint planning and manage AFOSI's criminal investigations and counterintelligence operations in northern Italy.
  • Deliver subpoenas and other legal requirements.
  • Provide direction and guidance on several high-profile homicide investigations, as well as numerous additional criminal and narcotics investigations.
  • Collect and disseminate intelligence and threat information concerning foreign intelligence and international terrorism to support commands using HUMINT sources.

Drug enforcement agent vs criminal investigative agent skills

Common drug enforcement agent skills
  • Patrol, 35%
  • DEA, 19%
  • Law Enforcement Agencies, 14%
  • Criminal Investigations, 10%
  • Drug Enforcement Administration, 5%
  • Enforcement Administration, 5%
Common criminal investigative agent skills
  • Physical Evidence, 14%
  • Law Enforcement Agencies, 9%
  • Surveillance Operations, 8%
  • Subpoenas, 7%
  • Investigative Reports, 6%
  • Documentary Evidence, 5%

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Updated January 8, 2025

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