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The differences between background investigators and criminal investigators can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. Additionally, a criminal investigator has an average salary of $54,520, which is higher than the $51,076 average annual salary of a background investigator.
The top three skills for a background investigator include excellent time management, work ethic and face-to-face interviews. The most important skills for a criminal investigator are investigative reports, resourcefulness, and firearms.
| Background Investigator | Criminal Investigator | |
| Yearly salary | $51,076 | $54,520 |
| Hourly rate | $24.56 | $26.21 |
| Growth rate | 6% | 3% |
| Number of jobs | 4,428 | 5,131 |
| Job satisfaction | - | - |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 64% | Bachelor's Degree, 59% |
| Average age | 44 | 44 |
| Years of experience | 6 | - |
The primary job of background investigators is to conduct background checks into an individual's personal and professional history that can validate or disprove their identity and character. They perform background investigations as part of hiring new employees, making an investment, and choosing a public official. Background investigators are responsible for obtaining and reviewing witness statements and arrest reports and meeting with candidates or the management to keep them updated on the investigation's progress and status. They are also responsible for completing background packages for final review and recommendation.
A criminal investigator is a law enforcement professional who endeavors to solve felony crimes. Criminal investigators may work alone or as a member of an investigative team whose goal is to uncover the certainty of a case and potentially keep suspects to prevent the ensuing criminal activity. Their tasks and responsibilities depend on various job functions and specialties. They may specialize in the information and evidence of a crime scene, conduct interviews and searches, or perform surveillance.
Background investigators and criminal investigators have different pay scales, as shown below.
| Background Investigator | Criminal Investigator | |
| Average salary | $51,076 | $54,520 |
| Salary range | Between $28,000 And $90,000 | Between $34,000 And $85,000 |
| Highest paying City | - | Washington, DC |
| Highest paying state | - | California |
| Best paying company | - | National Railroad Passenger Corporation |
| Best paying industry | - | Government |
There are a few differences between a background investigator and a criminal investigator in terms of educational background:
| Background Investigator | Criminal Investigator | |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 64% | Bachelor's Degree, 59% |
| Most common major | Criminal Justice | Criminal Justice |
| Most common college | California State University - Bakersfield | - |
Here are the differences between background investigators' and criminal investigators' demographics:
| Background Investigator | Criminal Investigator | |
| Average age | 44 | 44 |
| Gender ratio | Male, 49.6% Female, 50.4% | Male, 79.7% Female, 20.3% |
| Race ratio | Black or African American, 15.2% Unknown, 5.8% Hispanic or Latino, 18.8% Asian, 4.6% White, 55.2% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.3% | Black or African American, 11.8% Unknown, 5.0% Hispanic or Latino, 16.9% Asian, 2.8% White, 62.8% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.7% |
| LGBT Percentage | 8% | 9% |