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Criminal investigative agent vs federal investigator

The differences between criminal investigative agents and federal investigators 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 investigative agent and a federal investigator. Additionally, a criminal investigative agent has an average salary of $56,775, which is higher than the $50,277 average annual salary of a federal investigator.

The top three skills for a criminal investigative agent include physical evidence, law enforcement agencies and surveillance operations. The most important skills for a federal investigator are background investigations, law enforcement agencies, and litigation.

Criminal investigative agent vs federal investigator overview

Criminal Investigative AgentFederal Investigator
Yearly salary$56,775$50,277
Hourly rate$27.30$24.17
Growth rate3%3%
Number of jobs25,8345,213
Job satisfaction--
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 60%Bachelor's Degree, 64%
Average age4444
Years of experience22

Criminal investigative agent vs federal investigator salary

Criminal investigative agents and federal investigators have different pay scales, as shown below.

Criminal Investigative AgentFederal Investigator
Average salary$56,775$50,277
Salary rangeBetween $38,000 And $83,000Between $33,000 And $76,000
Highest paying City--
Highest paying state--
Best paying company--
Best paying industry--

Differences between criminal investigative agent and federal investigator education

There are a few differences between a criminal investigative agent and a federal investigator in terms of educational background:

Criminal Investigative AgentFederal Investigator
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 60%Bachelor's Degree, 64%
Most common majorCriminal JusticeCriminal Justice
Most common college--

Criminal investigative agent vs federal investigator demographics

Here are the differences between criminal investigative agents' and federal investigators' demographics:

Criminal Investigative AgentFederal Investigator
Average age4444
Gender ratioMale, 79.0% Female, 21.0%Male, 56.9% Female, 43.1%
Race ratioBlack or African American, 11.5% Unknown, 5.0% Hispanic or Latino, 17.2% Asian, 2.8% White, 62.8% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.7%Black or African American, 12.1% Unknown, 5.0% Hispanic or Latino, 17.2% Asian, 2.8% White, 62.2% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.7%
LGBT Percentage9%9%

Differences between criminal investigative agent and federal investigator duties and responsibilities

Criminal investigative agent example responsibilities.

  • Conduct joint planning and manage AFOSI's criminal investigations and counterintelligence operations in northern Italy.
  • Deliver subpoenas and other legal requirements.
  • Provide direction and guidance on several high-profile homicide investigations, as well as numerous additional criminal and narcotics investigations.
  • Collect and disseminate intelligence and threat information concerning foreign intelligence and international terrorism to support commands using HUMINT sources.

Federal investigator example responsibilities.

  • Investigate and open cases on customers and non-customers who have potentially engage in activity which goes against federally mandate BSA/AML regulations.
  • Handle and safeguard sensitive and confidential information, including personal identifiable information (PII).

Criminal investigative agent vs federal investigator skills

Common criminal investigative agent skills
  • Physical Evidence, 14%
  • Law Enforcement Agencies, 9%
  • Surveillance Operations, 8%
  • Subpoenas, 7%
  • Investigative Reports, 6%
  • Documentary Evidence, 5%
Common federal investigator skills
  • Background Investigations, 10%
  • Law Enforcement Agencies, 9%
  • Litigation, 8%
  • Federal Agencies, 8%
  • Security Clearance, 6%
  • Subpoenas, 6%

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