Child welfare consultant vs child protective investigator

The differences between child welfare consultants and child protective investigators can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. It typically takes 2-4 years to become both a child welfare consultant and a child protective investigator. Additionally, a child protective investigator has an average salary of $47,903, which is higher than the $47,497 average annual salary of a child welfare consultant.

The top three skills for a child welfare consultant include technical assistance, foster care and child welfare system. The most important skills for a child protective investigator are patrol, social work, and local law enforcement.

Child welfare consultant vs child protective investigator overview

	Child Welfare Consultant	Child Protective Investigator
Yearly salary	$47,497	$47,903
Hourly rate	$22.84	$23.03
Growth rate	9%	9%
Number of jobs	16,721	15,938
Job satisfaction	-	-
Most common degree	Bachelor's Degree, 60%	Bachelor's Degree, 73%
Average age	42	42
Years of experience	4	4

Child welfare consultant vs child protective investigator salary

Child welfare consultants and child protective investigators have different pay scales, as shown below.

	Child Welfare Consultant	Child Protective Investigator
Average salary	$47,497	$47,903
Salary range	Between $38,000 And $58,000	Between $37,000 And $61,000
Highest paying City	-	Camden, NJ
Highest paying state	-	New Jersey
Best paying company	-	Saks Fifth Avenue
Best paying industry	-	Government

Differences between child welfare consultant and child protective investigator education

There are a few differences between a child welfare consultant and a child protective investigator in terms of educational background:

	Child Welfare Consultant	Child Protective Investigator
Most common degree	Bachelor's Degree, 60%	Bachelor's Degree, 73%
Most common major	Psychology	Criminal Justice
Most common college	University of Pennsylvania	SUNY at Albany

Child welfare consultant vs child protective investigator demographics

Here are the differences between child welfare consultants' and child protective investigators' demographics:

	Child Welfare Consultant	Child Protective Investigator
Average age	42	42
Gender ratio	Male, 20.0% Female, 80.0%	Male, 32.4% Female, 67.6%
Race ratio	Black or African American, 13.4% Unknown, 4.2% Hispanic or Latino, 15.1% Asian, 2.7% White, 63.1% American Indian and Alaska Native, 1.5%	Black or African American, 13.4% Unknown, 4.2% Hispanic or Latino, 15.1% Asian, 2.7% White, 63.1% American Indian and Alaska Native, 1.5%
LGBT Percentage	10%	10%

Differences between child welfare consultant and child protective investigator duties and responsibilities

Child welfare consultant example responsibilities.

Investigate child abuse/neglect allegations and complaints refer from the state central registry.
Coordinate and scheduledbiweekly meetings to discuss the development of the CQI manual.
Perform related adoptions and supervisory visits for state adoptions.

Child protective investigator example responsibilities.

Utilize locating systems, negotiate agreements, file motions and prepare subpoenas.
Review and approve time sheets, mileage reports for CPI assign to the unit.
Complete timely findings including determining if someone should be place on the child abuse registry.
Investigate reports of abuse, neglect and exploitation that are report to the state abuse hotline.
Respond to Hotline reports, conduct child safety assessments, and determine immediate risk to child.
Review child safety assessments as submitted by CPI, and provide direction and guidance in the investigation.

Child welfare consultant vs child protective investigator skills

Common child welfare consultant skills

Technical Assistance, 32%
Foster Care, 29%
Child Welfare System, 15%
Child Safety, 10%
Community Stakeholders, 9%
Improvement Plan, 6%

Common child protective investigator skills

Patrol, 35%
Social Work, 16%
Local Law Enforcement, 7%
CCTV, 4%
Child Protective, 4%
Family Dynamics, 3%

Child Welfare Consultant vs. similar jobs

Child Welfare Consultant related careers

Child Welfare Consultant related jobs

What similar roles do

Zippia Careers
Community and Social Services Industry
Child Welfare Consultant
Child Welfare Consultant vs Child Protective Investigator

Updated January 8, 2025

Browse community and social services jobs