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The differences between intelligence analysts and senior investigators can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. While it typically takes 2-4 years to become an intelligence analyst, becoming a senior investigator takes usually requires 1-2 years. Additionally, an intelligence analyst has an average salary of $77,752, which is higher than the $61,240 average annual salary of a senior investigator.
The top three skills for an intelligence analyst include government agencies, national security and ISR. The most important skills for a senior investigator are senior level management, local law enforcement, and claims handling.
| Intelligence Analyst | Senior Investigator | |
| Yearly salary | $77,752 | $61,240 |
| Hourly rate | $37.38 | $29.44 |
| Growth rate | 3% | 3% |
| Number of jobs | 21,390 | 4,525 |
| Job satisfaction | - | - |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 57% | Bachelor's Degree, 66% |
| Average age | 44 | 44 |
| Years of experience | 4 | 2 |
An intelligence analyst is responsible for collecting information from various sources, including security databases, law surveillance networks, past intelligence reports, geographic and mapping tools, and communication records to locate threats and prevent crime and terrorist activities. Intelligence analysts work with different national organizations to gather information on related criminal activities and determine patterns and support investigations. An intelligence analyst must be highly critical and analytical to connect data and capture enemies to ensure the public's safety and security.
As a senior investigator, you will be responsible for managing investigations for crimes, including corruption, organized crime, and fraud. You will work closely with the district attorney and law enforcement to investigate and solve these crimes. This role will require you to perform other additional duties, including collecting DNA samples from the crime scene, suspects and victims, organizing live training on risk, compliance, and ethics, and testifying in criminal and civil courts, civil service hearings, and ethics commission.
Intelligence analysts and senior investigators have different pay scales, as shown below.
| Intelligence Analyst | Senior Investigator | |
| Average salary | $77,752 | $61,240 |
| Salary range | Between $57,000 And $106,000 | Between $35,000 And $105,000 |
| Highest paying City | San Francisco, CA | Frederick, MD |
| Highest paying state | Washington | Maryland |
| Best paying company | Meta | DLA Piper |
| Best paying industry | Technology | Finance |
There are a few differences between an intelligence analyst and a senior investigator in terms of educational background:
| Intelligence Analyst | Senior Investigator | |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 57% | Bachelor's Degree, 66% |
| Most common major | Criminal Justice | Criminal Justice |
| Most common college | York College of Pennsylvania | - |
Here are the differences between intelligence analysts' and senior investigators' demographics:
| Intelligence Analyst | Senior Investigator | |
| Average age | 44 | 44 |
| Gender ratio | Male, 72.9% Female, 27.1% | Male, 65.4% Female, 34.6% |
| Race ratio | Black or African American, 12.5% Unknown, 5.0% Hispanic or Latino, 16.0% Asian, 2.8% White, 63.0% 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 Percentage | 9% | 9% |