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Criminal investigative agent vs senior investigator

The differences between criminal investigative agents and senior 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 senior investigator. Additionally, a senior investigator has an average salary of $61,240, which is higher than the $56,775 average annual salary of a criminal investigative agent.

The top three skills for a criminal investigative agent include physical evidence, law enforcement agencies and surveillance operations. The most important skills for a senior investigator are senior level management, local law enforcement, and claims handling.

Criminal investigative agent vs senior investigator overview

Criminal Investigative AgentSenior Investigator
Yearly salary$56,775$61,240
Hourly rate$27.30$29.44
Growth rate3%3%
Number of jobs25,8344,525
Job satisfaction--
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 60%Bachelor's Degree, 66%
Average age4444
Years of experience22

Criminal investigative agent vs senior investigator salary

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

Criminal Investigative AgentSenior Investigator
Average salary$56,775$61,240
Salary rangeBetween $38,000 And $83,000Between $35,000 And $105,000
Highest paying City-Frederick, MD
Highest paying state-Maryland
Best paying company-DLA Piper
Best paying industry-Finance

Differences between criminal investigative agent and senior investigator education

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

Criminal Investigative AgentSenior Investigator
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 60%Bachelor's Degree, 66%
Most common majorCriminal JusticeCriminal Justice
Most common college--

Criminal investigative agent vs senior investigator demographics

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

Criminal Investigative AgentSenior Investigator
Average age4444
Gender ratioMale, 79.0% Female, 21.0%Male, 65.4% Female, 34.6%
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, 11.8% Unknown, 5.0% Hispanic or Latino, 16.8% Asian, 2.8% White, 62.9% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.7%
LGBT Percentage9%9%

Differences between criminal investigative agent and senior 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.

Senior investigator example responsibilities.

  • Investigate allegations of suspect FWA / prioritize and manage case load / maintain comprehensive case files.
  • Receive multiple letters of commendation for effective investigations that lead to successful prosecutions.
  • Create budget friendly evidence collection boxes for investigations and patrol officers.
  • Send specimens to laboratory to obtain DNA.
  • Participate on committees and teams supporting GMP compliance programs.
  • Collect possible DNA samples from the scene, victims, and suspects.
  • Show more

Criminal investigative agent vs senior 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 senior investigator skills
  • Senior Level Management, 13%
  • Local Law Enforcement, 9%
  • Claims Handling, 8%
  • Court Proceedings, 8%
  • Data Analysis, 4%
  • Management System, 3%

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