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Detective investigator vs criminal investigative agent

The differences between detective investigators and criminal investigative agents can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. While it typically takes 4-6 years to become a detective investigator, becoming a criminal investigative agent takes usually requires 1-2 years. Additionally, a criminal investigative agent has an average salary of $56,775, which is higher than the $53,616 average annual salary of a detective investigator.

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

Detective investigator vs criminal investigative agent overview

Detective InvestigatorCriminal Investigative Agent
Yearly salary$53,616$56,775
Hourly rate$25.78$27.30
Growth rate6%3%
Number of jobs20,21325,834
Job satisfaction--
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 55%Bachelor's Degree, 60%
Average age4444
Years of experience62

Detective investigator vs criminal investigative agent salary

Detective investigators and criminal investigative agents have different pay scales, as shown below.

Detective InvestigatorCriminal Investigative Agent
Average salary$53,616$56,775
Salary rangeBetween $37,000 And $76,000Between $38,000 And $83,000
Highest paying City--
Highest paying state--
Best paying company--
Best paying industry--

Differences between detective investigator and criminal investigative agent education

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

Detective InvestigatorCriminal Investigative Agent
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 55%Bachelor's Degree, 60%
Most common majorCriminal JusticeCriminal Justice
Most common collegeUniversity of North Carolina at Chapel Hill-

Detective investigator vs criminal investigative agent demographics

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

Detective InvestigatorCriminal Investigative Agent
Average age4444
Gender ratioMale, 87.3% Female, 12.7%Male, 79.0% Female, 21.0%
Race ratioBlack or African American, 13.4% Unknown, 5.5% Hispanic or Latino, 19.0% Asian, 4.6% White, 57.1% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.3%Black 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%
LGBT Percentage8%9%

Differences between detective investigator and criminal investigative agent duties and responsibilities

Detective investigator example responsibilities.

  • Receive multiple letters of commendation for effective investigations that lead to successful prosecutions.
  • Prepare in-depth detail reports including arrest warrants, search warrants, subpoenas and court orders for criminal prosecution.
  • Prepare subpoenas and search warrants for account information from various companies and entities for follow-up investigations.
  • Analyze high risk transaction activity and provide final approval of investigative case analyses utilize for SAR preparation and filing.
  • Establish a review procedure with IRS and assign an analyst.

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.

Detective investigator vs criminal investigative agent skills

Common detective investigator skills
  • Physical Evidence, 14%
  • Patrol, 12%
  • Law Enforcement Agencies, 7%
  • Insurance Fraud, 5%
  • Homicide, 5%
  • Electronic Surveillance, 4%
Common criminal investigative agent skills
  • Physical Evidence, 14%
  • Law Enforcement Agencies, 9%
  • Surveillance Operations, 8%
  • Subpoenas, 7%
  • Investigative Reports, 6%
  • Documentary Evidence, 5%

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Updated January 8, 2025

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