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The differences between intelligence analysts and special agents 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 special agent takes usually requires 1-2 years. Additionally, an intelligence analyst has an average salary of $77,752, which is higher than the $60,916 average annual salary of a special agent.
The top three skills for an intelligence analyst include government agencies, national security and ISR. The most important skills for a special agent are professional work, national security, and local law enforcement.
| Intelligence Analyst | Special Agent | |
| Yearly salary | $77,752 | $60,916 |
| Hourly rate | $37.38 | $29.29 |
| Growth rate | 3% | 3% |
| Number of jobs | 21,390 | 46,232 |
| Job satisfaction | - | - |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 57% | Bachelor's Degree, 68% |
| 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.
A special agent is responsible for investigating law violations and criminal activities by collecting pieces of evidence, including witnesses' testimonies, to release a warrant of arrest and initiate prosecution. Special agents work closely with other law enforcement agencies to identify threats, analyze occurring criminal activities, and connect intelligence records through observation and field investigations. They also attend court proceedings to present evidence for court decisions. A special agent must have excellent communication and critical-thinking skills, assessing unusual situations, and handling suspicious activities.
Intelligence analysts and special agents have different pay scales, as shown below.
| Intelligence Analyst | Special Agent | |
| Average salary | $77,752 | $60,916 |
| Salary range | Between $57,000 And $106,000 | Between $43,000 And $85,000 |
| Highest paying City | San Francisco, CA | Washington, DC |
| Highest paying state | Washington | Hawaii |
| Best paying company | Meta | BNSF Railway |
| Best paying industry | Technology | - |
There are a few differences between an intelligence analyst and a special agent in terms of educational background:
| Intelligence Analyst | Special Agent | |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 57% | Bachelor's Degree, 68% |
| Most common major | Criminal Justice | Criminal Justice |
| Most common college | York College of Pennsylvania | - |
Here are the differences between intelligence analysts' and special agents' demographics:
| Intelligence Analyst | Special Agent | |
| Average age | 44 | 44 |
| Gender ratio | Male, 72.9% Female, 27.1% | Male, 83.1% Female, 16.9% |
| 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, 63.0% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.7% |
| LGBT Percentage | 9% | 9% |