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Criminal investigations division investigator vs special agent

The differences between criminal investigations division investigators and special 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 criminal investigations division investigator and a special agent. Additionally, a special agent has an average salary of $60,916, which is higher than the $54,381 average annual salary of a criminal investigations division investigator.

The top three skills for a criminal investigations division investigator include litigation, law enforcement agencies and federal agencies. The most important skills for a special agent are professional work, national security, and local law enforcement.

Criminal investigations division investigator vs special agent overview

Criminal Investigations Division InvestigatorSpecial Agent
Yearly salary$54,381$60,916
Hourly rate$26.14$29.29
Growth rate3%3%
Number of jobs6,42146,232
Job satisfaction--
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 57%Bachelor's Degree, 68%
Average age4444
Years of experience22

Criminal investigations division investigator vs special agent salary

Criminal investigations division investigators and special agents have different pay scales, as shown below.

Criminal Investigations Division InvestigatorSpecial Agent
Average salary$54,381$60,916
Salary rangeBetween $33,000 And $88,000Between $43,000 And $85,000
Highest paying City-Washington, DC
Highest paying state-Hawaii
Best paying company-BNSF Railway
Best paying industry--

Differences between criminal investigations division investigator and special agent education

There are a few differences between a criminal investigations division investigator and a special agent in terms of educational background:

Criminal Investigations Division InvestigatorSpecial Agent
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 57%Bachelor's Degree, 68%
Most common majorCriminal JusticeCriminal Justice
Most common college--

Criminal investigations division investigator vs special agent demographics

Here are the differences between criminal investigations division investigators' and special agents' demographics:

Criminal Investigations Division InvestigatorSpecial Agent
Average age4444
Gender ratioMale, 65.9% Female, 34.1%Male, 83.1% Female, 16.9%
Race ratioBlack or African American, 12.0% 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, 11.8% Unknown, 5.0% Hispanic or Latino, 16.8% Asian, 2.8% White, 63.0% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.7%
LGBT Percentage9%9%

Differences between criminal investigations division investigator and special agent duties and responsibilities

Criminal investigations division investigator example responsibilities.

  • Receive multiple letters of commendation for effective investigations that lead to successful prosecutions.
  • Participate during local search warrant and issue subpoenas for documentary evidence and notice to appear in court.
  • Proofread and assist state investigators with writing affidavits in order to obtain search warrants and subpoenas for operations and phone taps.
  • Provide direction and guidance on several high-profile homicide investigations, as well as numerous additional criminal and narcotics investigations.
  • Conduct OFAC alert investigation using global standard policies, procedures and tools aim at meeting internal and external regulatory requirements.

Special agent example responsibilities.

  • Manage a team of field supervisors on a project to modernize and improve the ATF system of office inspection.
  • Conduct joint planning and manage AFOSI's criminal investigations and counterintelligence operations in northern Italy.
  • Follow up on tips receive from a variety of sources, including patrol officers, community members, and confidential informants.
  • Conduct detailed and precise SIU investigations involving insurance fraud.
  • Authore products highly praise by senior FBI and DOJ officials.
  • Interview witnesses, gather evidence and prepare cases for litigation.
  • Show more

Criminal investigations division investigator vs special agent skills

Common criminal investigations division investigator skills
  • Litigation, 15%
  • Law Enforcement Agencies, 11%
  • Federal Agencies, 11%
  • Trial Preparation, 10%
  • Subpoenas, 10%
  • Evidence Collection, 8%
Common special agent skills
  • Professional Work, 73%
  • National Security, 8%
  • Local Law Enforcement, 5%
  • Search Warrants, 2%
  • Law Enforcement Agencies, 2%
  • Counterintelligence Investigations, 1%

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