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Narcotics Officer Salary in the United States

How much does a Narcotics Officer make in the United States?

As of September 01, 2026, the average salary for a Narcotics Officer in the United States is $84,940 per year, which breaks down to an hourly rate of $41.

However, a Narcotics Officer's salary can vary significantly. Here’s a look at the typical salary range:

  • Top Earners (90th percentile): $108,882
  • Majority Range (25th-75th percentile): $75,927 to $97,472
  • Entry-Level (10th percentile): $67,720
Salary Factors Salary-Boosting Skills Salary by Experience Related Job Salaries Top Paying Cities Explore Related Jobs

Key Factors That Influence Narcotics Officer Salaries

A Narcotics Officer's salary isn't a fixed number. It's shaped by several important factors. Below, we'll explore how your years of experience, geographic location, education and company size can directly affect your earning potential.

How Experience Level Affects Narcotics Officer Salaries?

Experience is a primary driver of a Narcotics Officer's salary. As you build your skills and take on more complex tasks, your compensation generally increases. Here's how the average salary grows at different career stages:

  • Entry-Level (less than 1 year): $82,061
  • Early Career (1-2 years): $82,687
  • Mid-Level (2-4 years): $88,340
  • Senior-Level (5-8 years): $98,124
  • Expert (over 8 years): $98,777
Levels Salary
Entry Level Narcotics Officer$82,061
Intermediate Level Narcotics Officer$82,687
Senior Level Narcotics Officer$88,340
Specialist Level Narcotics Officer$98,124
Expert Level Narcotics Officer$98,777
View as Graph

How Do Narcotics Officer Salaries Vary from State to State?

Your salary can change significantly depending on where you work. States with a higher cost of living and strong industrial sectors often pay more to attract Narcotics Officers. For example, consider the average annual salaries in these key locations:
  • District of Columbia: $94,046.
  • California: $93,689.
  • Massachusetts: $92,440.

Top Paying Cities for Narcotics Officers

Salaries can also vary between different cities. Major metropolitan areas or cities with a high demand for technicians often offer more competitive pay. Here are a few examples of average annual salaries in different U.S. cities:

  • San Jose: $107,135
  • San Francisco: $105,962
  • Oakland: $103,729

What Skills Can Increase a Narcotics Officer's Salary?

Demanded Skills for the Role:

  • Problem Solving (Mentioned in 5.36% Job Postings): Analyzing and identifying the root cause of problems and applying critical thinking skills to solve problems.
  • Career Development (Mentioned in 1.79% Job Postings): Refers to the process an individual may undergo to evolve their occupational status. It is the process of making decisions for long term learning, to align personal needs of physical or psychological fulfillment with career advancement opportunities.
  • Business Administration (Mentioned in 1.19% Job Postings): It is the management of all aspects of a business's performance, decisions, and organization. It includes the day to day operations, aspects including finances and human resources, and ensures the company stays aligned to the goal or mission.
Skills Demand Percentage
Problem Solving 5.36%
Career Development 1.79%
Business Administration 1.19%
See More Skills

What skills can make your compensation higher?

Mastering certain specialized skills can lead to a significant increase in pay. Here are examples of skills and the potential impact they can have on a Narcotics Officer's salary.

  • Visio: Can increase your salary by up to 13%.
  • Data Integrity: Can increase your salary by up to 8%.
  • Python: Can increase your salary by up to 7%.
Skill Salary Salary % Increase
Visio $95,982
13%
Data Integrity $91,735
8%
Python $90,886
7%
Get Latest Data

Narcotics Officer Salary by Industry: Top Paying Sectors

For Narcotics Officer roles, the industry you choose can affect earning potential by as much as 69% (the gap between the highest and lowest paying industries). Data shows that the Software & Networking and Pharmaceuticals sectors offer the strongest compensation, at 30% above the average. In contrast, Narcotics Officer positions in Transportation or Retail & Wholesale typically offer lower base pay, as these industries often view Narcotics Officer as a support function rather than a direct revenue driver.

The top paying industries for a Narcotics Officer

Industry Sector Average Annual Salary Average Hourly Rate Pay vs.Avg
Software & Networking$110,422$53.030%
Pharmaceuticals$106,175$51.025%
Internet$101,928$49.020%
Energy & Utilities$97,681$47.015%
Aerospace & Defense$95,133$46.012%

How Education impacts a Narcotics Officer's Salary?

Your level of education can impact your salary potential. While many Narcotics Officers enter the field with a High School Diploma or Technical Certificate degree, higher education can lead to more specialized and higher-paying roles.

According to our 100% employer-reported salary data, the median salary for a Narcotics Officer with a High School Diploma or Technical Certificate is between $72,281 and $77,748).

Narcotics Officer Salaries by Degree Level

Typical Education for Narcotics Officer
Degree Level % of user with this level of education
No Diploma 23.5%
High School 23.5%
Associates 17.6%
Bachelors 41.2%
Masters 17.6%
Doctorate 0.0%
View as Graph

Narcotics Officer Salary: Hourly Rate, Weekly Pay, and Monthly Pay

Understanding how a Narcotics Officer's annual salary breaks down can help with budgeting. Below, you can see the average hourly rate, weekly pay, and monthly pay for this role. Use the buttons to switch between different pay periods.

Last Updated on September 01, 2026
$75,927
Average $84,940/year
$97,472
$6,327
Average $7,078/month
$8,123
$1,460
Average $1,633/week
$1,874
$37
Average $41/hour
$47
Annual Salary Monthly Pay Weekly Pay Hourly Wage
75th Percentile $97,472 $8,123 $1,874 $47
Average $84,940 $7,078 $1,633 $41
25th Percentile $75,927 $6,327 $1,460 $37

Most common benefits for Narcotics Officer

  • Social Security
  • 401 (k)
  • Disability
  • Healthcare
  • Pension
  • Time Off (days)

Common company salaries for Narcotics Officer

Here are companies hiring for Narcotics Officer and their salaries, click below for more details.

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FAQ about Narcotics Officer

1. What industry pays the highest salary for Narcotics Officer?

The Software & Networking industry offers the highest average compensation for Narcotics Officer roles, with salaries approximately 30% above the market median.

Where Does Our Salary Data Come From?

Salary.com provides salary estimates, histograms, trends, and comparisons using data from employer job postings and third-party sources.

We offer detailed salary information across multiple percentiles for your reference. (Click here to learn Why the Salary Midpoint Formula Is Crucial for Achieving Pay Equity.)

With the most extensive online, real-time compensation data available, Salary.com helps you pinpoint your exact pay target.

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