Post job

Explore jobs

Find specific jobs

Explore careers

Explore professions

Best companies

Explore companies

OverviewJobsSkillsEducationDemographicsJob DescriptionHow To HireBest CompaniesJob Outlook

Compare

Criminal investigative agent vs special agent

The differences between criminal investigative agents 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 investigative agent and a special agent. Additionally, a special agent has an average salary of $60,916, 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 special agent are professional work, national security, and local law enforcement.

Criminal investigative agent vs special agent overview

Criminal Investigative AgentSpecial Agent
Yearly salary$56,775$60,916
Hourly rate$27.30$29.29
Growth rate3%3%
Number of jobs25,83446,232
Job satisfaction--
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 60%Bachelor's Degree, 68%
Average age4444
Years of experience22

Criminal investigative agent vs special agent salary

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

Criminal Investigative AgentSpecial Agent
Average salary$56,775$60,916
Salary rangeBetween $38,000 And $83,000Between $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 investigative agent and special agent education

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

Criminal Investigative AgentSpecial Agent
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 60%Bachelor's Degree, 68%
Most common majorCriminal JusticeCriminal Justice
Most common college--

Criminal investigative agent vs special agent demographics

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

Criminal Investigative AgentSpecial Agent
Average age4444
Gender ratioMale, 79.0% Female, 21.0%Male, 83.1% Female, 16.9%
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, 63.0% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.7%
LGBT Percentage9%9%

Differences between criminal investigative agent and special agent 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.

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 investigative agent vs special agent 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 special agent skills
  • Professional Work, 73%
  • National Security, 8%
  • Local Law Enforcement, 5%
  • Search Warrants, 2%
  • Law Enforcement Agencies, 2%
  • Counterintelligence Investigations, 1%

Criminal Investigative Agent vs. similar jobs

Criminal Investigative Agent related careers

Criminal Investigative Agent related jobs

What similar roles do

Updated January 8, 2025

Browse protective service jobs