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The differences between forensic computer examiners and criminalists can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. It typically takes 2-4 years to become both a forensic computer examiner and a criminalist. Additionally, a criminalist has an average salary of $68,152, which is higher than the $66,393 average annual salary of a forensic computer examiner.
The top three skills for a forensic computer examiner include digital forensics, extraction and FTK. The most important skills for a criminalist are physical evidence, laboratory reports, and body fluids.
| Forensic Computer Examiner | Criminalist | |
| Yearly salary | $66,393 | $68,152 |
| Hourly rate | $31.92 | $32.77 |
| Growth rate | 11% | 11% |
| Number of jobs | 16,108 | 14,872 |
| Job satisfaction | - | - |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 57% | Bachelor's Degree, 72% |
| Average age | 38 | 38 |
| Years of experience | 4 | 4 |
With the arrival of the computer age came a plethora of crimes. Forensic computer examiners collect and analyze data to uncover and prosecute electronic fraud, scams, and identify theft. As a forensic computer examiner, you will tackle cyber-crimes. In doing this, you must adhere strictly to the standards of evidence gathering found in general forensic science, being that legal cases depend on the integrity of evidence. Investigative and report writing skills will also be much-needed assets.
A criminalist works in the forensic science or law enforcement field. Their duties depend upon the agency or place they work for, but they are often responsible for conducting crime investigations, studying crime scenes, gathering and examining evidence, processing evidence, and coordinating with investigators. They must also prepare and process documents, present detailed results and reports to investigators, and sometimes testify in court.
Forensic computer examiners and criminalists have different pay scales, as shown below.
| Forensic Computer Examiner | Criminalist | |
| Average salary | $66,393 | $68,152 |
| Salary range | Between $46,000 And $94,000 | Between $36,000 And $127,000 |
| Highest paying City | Santa Rosa, CA | San Mateo, CA |
| Highest paying state | Alaska | Alaska |
| Best paying company | Booz Allen Hamilton | City of Los Angeles |
| Best paying industry | Insurance | - |
There are a few differences between a forensic computer examiner and a criminalist in terms of educational background:
| Forensic Computer Examiner | Criminalist | |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 57% | Bachelor's Degree, 72% |
| Most common major | Criminal Justice | Chemistry |
| Most common college | University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill | California State University - Bakersfield |
Here are the differences between forensic computer examiners' and criminalists' demographics:
| Forensic Computer Examiner | Criminalist | |
| Average age | 38 | 38 |
| Gender ratio | Male, 72.8% Female, 27.2% | Male, 35.9% Female, 64.1% |
| Race ratio | Black or African American, 9.9% Unknown, 5.9% Hispanic or Latino, 16.8% Asian, 10.4% White, 55.9% American Indian and Alaska Native, 1.1% | Black or African American, 9.6% Unknown, 6.2% Hispanic or Latino, 17.0% Asian, 10.4% White, 55.8% American Indian and Alaska Native, 1.1% |
| LGBT Percentage | 8% | 8% |