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The differences between investigative analysts and senior fraud analysts can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. While it typically takes 2-4 years to become an investigative analyst, becoming a senior fraud analyst takes usually requires 1-2 years. Additionally, an investigative analyst has an average salary of $125,975, which is higher than the $91,428 average annual salary of a senior fraud analyst.
The top three skills for an investigative analyst include criminal justice, external stakeholders and anti-money laundering. The most important skills for a senior fraud analyst are SQL, fraud risk, and fraud prevention.
| Investigative Analyst | Senior Fraud Analyst | |
| Yearly salary | $125,975 | $91,428 |
| Hourly rate | $60.56 | $43.96 |
| Growth rate | 3% | 3% |
| Number of jobs | 28,703 | 13,411 |
| Job satisfaction | - | - |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 67% | Bachelor's Degree, 57% |
| Average age | 44 | 39 |
| Years of experience | 4 | 2 |
An investigative analyst is responsible for handling and resolving suspicious activities that pose risks for an organization's reputation and stability. Investigative analysts review incident reports, such as fraud and other law violations, strategizing on effective ways to minimize losses and prevent misconduct reoccurrence. They collect evidence, including documents and interviews, to support their claims and record their findings. An investigative analyst must be highly communicative and organizational, as well as the ability to keep and secure confidential information until further notice.
A Senior Fraud Analyst performs extensive research and analyses to detect suspicious transactions and determine fraudulent activities in financial institutions or business establishments. Their responsibilities typically revolve around monitoring financial transactions and documents, gathering and analyzing various data, conducting account assessments, validating information, and thoroughly reviewing documents. There are also instances where they must set objectives, establish guidelines, produce progress reports, and resolve issues promptly and efficiently. Moreover, as a senior fraud analyst, it is essential to lead and serve as a role model for junior fraud analysts, overseeing their performance while implementing company policies and regulations.
Investigative analysts and senior fraud analysts have different pay scales, as shown below.
| Investigative Analyst | Senior Fraud Analyst | |
| Average salary | $125,975 | $91,428 |
| Salary range | Between $102,000 And $154,000 | Between $69,000 And $120,000 |
| Highest paying City | Washington, DC | San Francisco, CA |
| Highest paying state | Montana | New York |
| Best paying company | Meta | SoFi |
| Best paying industry | Professional | Start-up |
There are a few differences between an investigative analyst and a senior fraud analyst in terms of educational background:
| Investigative Analyst | Senior Fraud Analyst | |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 67% | Bachelor's Degree, 57% |
| Most common major | Criminal Justice | Business |
| Most common college | SUNY at Binghamton | University of Pennsylvania |
Here are the differences between investigative analysts' and senior fraud analysts' demographics:
| Investigative Analyst | Senior Fraud Analyst | |
| Average age | 44 | 39 |
| Gender ratio | Male, 44.9% Female, 55.1% | Male, 43.5% Female, 56.5% |
| Race ratio | Black or African American, 11.9% Unknown, 5.0% Hispanic or Latino, 16.9% Asian, 2.8% White, 62.7% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.7% | Black or African American, 8.2% Unknown, 2.7% Hispanic or Latino, 9.8% Asian, 10.0% White, 69.0% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.3% |
| LGBT Percentage | 9% | 11% |