Credit investigator vs private investigator

The differences between credit investigators and private investigators can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. While it typically takes 3-6 months to become a credit investigator, becoming a private investigator takes usually requires 4-6 years. Additionally, a private investigator has an average salary of $48,019, which is higher than the $34,703 average annual salary of a credit investigator.

The top three skills for a credit investigator include financial statements, loan applications and credit bureau reports. The most important skills for a private investigator are background checks, background investigations, and video surveillance.

Credit investigator vs private investigator overview

	Credit Investigator	Private Investigator
Yearly salary	$34,703	$48,019
Hourly rate	$16.68	$23.09
Growth rate	-3%	6%
Number of jobs	9,442	6,675
Job satisfaction	-	-
Most common degree	Bachelor's Degree, 57%	Bachelor's Degree, 54%
Average age	44	44
Years of experience	6	6

What does a credit investigator do?

A credit investigator investigates credit or loan applications to determine if applicants can uphold financial obligations, thus helping companies decide which applications to approve. They gather and evaluate documents, conduct research and analyses, study financial histories and credit reports, and calculate loan-to-income ratios. Most credit investigators work at banking institutions, lending firms, or similar establishments. In some companies, a credit investigator may also have the responsibility of running background checks on potential employees.

What does a private investigator do?

Private investigators will require skills in surveillance, research, interviewing, critical thinking, and communication. Those who choose this career path will be called on to find information for organizations and individuals, as well as engage in different cases. An investigator's goal is to find legal, personal, or financial information through background checks, interviews, and surveillance.

Credit investigator vs private investigator salary

Credit investigators and private investigators have different pay scales, as shown below.

	Credit Investigator	Private Investigator
Average salary	$34,703	$48,019
Salary range	Between $27,000 And $43,000	Between $29,000 And $78,000
Highest paying City	-	-
Highest paying state	-	-
Best paying company	-	-
Best paying industry	-	-

Differences between credit investigator and private investigator education

There are a few differences between a credit investigator and a private investigator in terms of educational background:

	Credit Investigator	Private Investigator
Most common degree	Bachelor's Degree, 57%	Bachelor's Degree, 54%
Most common major	Business	Criminal Justice
Most common college	Stanford University	University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill

Credit investigator vs private investigator demographics

Here are the differences between credit investigators' and private investigators' demographics:

	Credit Investigator	Private Investigator
Average age	44	44
Gender ratio	Male, 28.5% Female, 71.5%	Male, 73.1% Female, 26.9%
Race ratio	Black or African American, 10.5% Unknown, 3.9% Hispanic or Latino, 17.1% Asian, 3.9% White, 64.0% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.6%	Black or African American, 13.2% Unknown, 5.6% Hispanic or Latino, 18.9% Asian, 4.6% White, 57.5% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.3%
LGBT Percentage	9%	8%

Differences between credit investigator and private investigator duties and responsibilities

Credit investigator example responsibilities.

Manage accounting operations, accounting close, account reporting and reconciliations.
Utilize credit reports such as Experian, Transunion Equitifax.
Work on A/R and billing for a manufacturing company specializing in premium orthopedic, reconstructive and postoperative products.
Provide direct service with customers to process loan modifications, typically under SBA regulations.

Private investigator example responsibilities.

Manage all business reporting to include; payroll, taxes, client billing, account reconciliations and compliance reports.
Take ownership of the queue and promptly escalate any issues or obstacles to completing daily SAR filings
Conduct SIU, fraud, criminal, civil, and exploratory investigations as defined in client contracts.
Conduct different types of SIU investigations as well as civil, criminal, and asset background courthouse checks.
Serve subpoenas, coordinate witness court appearances, compile information from interviews, and developed/maintain community and informant contacts.
Create quality control documentation associate with manufacturing process, raw materials and quality testing procedures according to corporate and FDA guidelines.

Credit investigator vs private investigator skills

Common credit investigator skills

Financial Statements, 15%
Loan Applications, 10%
Credit Bureau Reports, 7%
Credit Applications, 7%
Credit Investigations, 6%
Credit Worthiness, 5%

Common private investigator skills

Background Checks, 15%
Background Investigations, 12%
Video Surveillance, 12%
Subpoenas, 5%
Law Enforcement Agencies, 5%
Computer Database, 4%

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Credit Investigator
Credit Investigator vs Private Investigator

Updated January 8, 2025

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