Explore jobs
Find specific jobs
Explore careers
Explore professions
Best companies
Explore companies
The differences between intelligence specialists and counterintelligence analysts can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. It typically takes 2-4 years to become both an intelligence specialist and a counterintelligence analyst. Additionally, an intelligence specialist has an average salary of $78,453, which is higher than the $69,217 average annual salary of a counterintelligence analyst.
The top three skills for an intelligence specialist include DOD, security clearance and TS/SCI. The most important skills for a counterintelligence analyst are DOD, national security, and threat assessments.
| Intelligence Specialist | Counterintelligence Analyst | |
| Yearly salary | $78,453 | $69,217 |
| Hourly rate | $37.72 | $33.28 |
| Growth rate | 3% | 3% |
| Number of jobs | 10,759 | 10,117 |
| Job satisfaction | - | - |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 55% | Bachelor's Degree, 66% |
| Average age | 44 | 44 |
| Years of experience | 4 | 4 |
An intelligence specialist is responsible for collecting and validating information for different operational functions to ensure its authenticity and accuracy before dissemination to the public and officials. Intelligence specialists analyze intelligence information and provide strategic recommendations to improve data gathering processes and distribution. They also maintain the security of reports on the database, working with technology professionals to develop security solutions to prevent unauthorized access and detail leaks until further notice of publicizing the information.
A counterintelligence analyst plays a critical role in protecting a country's interests from spies, terrorists, and other threats. They usually work for military agencies or defense departments, such as the Federal Bureau of Investigation or the Central Intelligence Agency. Although their duties may vary, they usually involve monitoring suspicious activities, conducting research and assessments, decoding and encoding information, or coordinating investigations with other agencies. Due to the potential risks surrounding this job, a counterintelligence analyst must be proactive in dealing with issues and concerns.
Intelligence specialists and counterintelligence analysts have different pay scales, as shown below.
| Intelligence Specialist | Counterintelligence Analyst | |
| Average salary | $78,453 | $69,217 |
| Salary range | Between $55,000 And $111,000 | Between $45,000 And $104,000 |
| Highest paying City | San Francisco, CA | - |
| Highest paying state | California | - |
| Best paying company | Apple | - |
| Best paying industry | Finance | - |
There are a few differences between an intelligence specialist and a counterintelligence analyst in terms of educational background:
| Intelligence Specialist | Counterintelligence Analyst | |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 55% | Bachelor's Degree, 66% |
| Most common major | Business | Intelligence Operations |
| Most common college | York College of Pennsylvania | The Citadel |
Here are the differences between intelligence specialists' and counterintelligence analysts' demographics:
| Intelligence Specialist | Counterintelligence Analyst | |
| Average age | 44 | 44 |
| Gender ratio | Male, 75.8% Female, 24.2% | Male, 80.8% Female, 19.2% |
| Race ratio | Black or African American, 12.4% Unknown, 5.0% Hispanic or Latino, 16.3% Asian, 2.8% White, 62.8% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.7% | Black or African American, 13.5% Unknown, 5.0% Hispanic or Latino, 15.0% Asian, 2.9% White, 62.9% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.7% |
| LGBT Percentage | 9% | 9% |