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Investigative research specialist vs special agent

The differences between investigative research specialists and special agents can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. While it typically takes 4-6 years to become an investigative research specialist, becoming a special agent takes usually requires 1-2 years. Additionally, a special agent has an average salary of $60,916, which is higher than the $57,435 average annual salary of an investigative research specialist.

The top three skills for an investigative research specialist include law enforcement agencies, background checks and . The most important skills for a special agent are professional work, national security, and local law enforcement.

Investigative research specialist vs special agent overview

Investigative Research SpecialistSpecial Agent
Yearly salary$57,435$60,916
Hourly rate$27.61$29.29
Growth rate19%3%
Number of jobs58,09446,232
Job satisfaction--
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 48%Bachelor's Degree, 68%
Average age3744
Years of experience62

Investigative research specialist vs special agent salary

Investigative research specialists and special agents have different pay scales, as shown below.

Investigative Research SpecialistSpecial Agent
Average salary$57,435$60,916
Salary rangeBetween $33,000 And $97,000Between $43,000 And $85,000
Highest paying City-Washington, DC
Highest paying state-Hawaii
Best paying company-BNSF Railway
Best paying industry--

Differences between investigative research specialist and special agent education

There are a few differences between an investigative research specialist and a special agent in terms of educational background:

Investigative Research SpecialistSpecial Agent
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 48%Bachelor's Degree, 68%
Most common majorBusinessCriminal Justice
Most common collegeUniversity of Maryland - College Park-

Investigative research specialist vs special agent demographics

Here are the differences between investigative research specialists' and special agents' demographics:

Investigative Research SpecialistSpecial Agent
Average age3744
Gender ratioMale, 47.7% Female, 52.3%Male, 83.1% Female, 16.9%
Race ratioBlack or African American, 3.9% Unknown, 4.7% Hispanic or Latino, 9.1% Asian, 10.3% White, 71.9% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.1%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 Percentage10%9%

Differences between investigative research specialist and special agent duties and responsibilities

Investigative research specialist example responsibilities.

  • Create weekly presentations using Microsoft PowerPoint and manage monthly board meetings.
  • Demonstrate the ability to deal with patients and insurance companies regarding sensitive financial matters and recapture unpaid balances.
  • Maintain biobank of blood and serum clinical specimens collect from HIV-1 infect patients.

Special agent example responsibilities.

  • Manage a team of field supervisors on a project to modernize and improve the ATF system of office inspection.
  • Conduct joint planning and manage AFOSI's criminal investigations and counterintelligence operations in northern Italy.
  • Follow up on tips receive from a variety of sources, including patrol officers, community members, and confidential informants.
  • Conduct detailed and precise SIU investigations involving insurance fraud.
  • Authore products highly praise by senior FBI and DOJ officials.
  • Interview witnesses, gather evidence and prepare cases for litigation.
    • Show more

Investigative research specialist vs special agent skills

Common investigative research specialist skills
  • Law Enforcement Agencies, 53%
  • Background Checks, 47%
Common special agent skills
  • Professional Work, 73%
  • National Security, 8%
  • Local Law Enforcement, 5%
  • Search Warrants, 2%
  • Law Enforcement Agencies, 2%
  • Counterintelligence Investigations, 1%

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Updated January 8, 2025

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