Post job

Detective investigator vs special agent

The differences between detective investigators and special 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 special agent takes usually requires 1-2 years. Additionally, a special agent has an average salary of $60,916, 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 special agent are professional work, national security, and local law enforcement.

Detective investigator vs special agent overview

Detective InvestigatorSpecial Agent
Yearly salary$53,616$60,916
Hourly rate$25.78$29.29
Growth rate6%3%
Number of jobs20,21346,232
Job satisfaction--
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 55%Bachelor's Degree, 68%
Average age4444
Years of experience62

Detective investigator vs special agent salary

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

Detective InvestigatorSpecial Agent
Average salary$53,616$60,916
Salary rangeBetween $37,000 And $76,000Between $43,000 And $85,000
Highest paying City-Washington, DC
Highest paying state-Hawaii
Best paying company-BNSF Railway
Best paying industry--

Differences between detective investigator and special agent education

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

Detective InvestigatorSpecial Agent
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 55%Bachelor's Degree, 68%
Most common majorCriminal JusticeCriminal Justice
Most common collegeUniversity of North Carolina at Chapel Hill-

Detective investigator vs special agent demographics

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

Detective InvestigatorSpecial Agent
Average age4444
Gender ratioMale, 87.3% Female, 12.7%Male, 83.1% Female, 16.9%
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, 11.8% Unknown, 5.0% Hispanic or Latino, 16.8% Asian, 2.8% White, 63.0% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.7%
LGBT Percentage8%9%

Differences between detective investigator and special 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.

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

Detective investigator vs special agent skills

Common detective investigator skills
  • Physical Evidence, 14%
  • Patrol, 12%
  • Law Enforcement Agencies, 7%
  • Insurance Fraud, 5%
  • Homicide, 5%
  • Electronic Surveillance, 4%
Common special agent skills
  • Professional Work, 73%
  • National Security, 8%
  • Local Law Enforcement, 5%
  • Search Warrants, 2%
  • Law Enforcement Agencies, 2%
  • Counterintelligence Investigations, 1%

Browse protective service jobs