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The differences between investigative specialists and lead investigators can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. It typically takes 4-6 years to become both an investigative specialist and a lead investigator. Additionally, a lead investigator has an average salary of $60,060, which is higher than the $50,153 average annual salary of an investigative specialist.
The top three skills for an investigative specialist include patients, investigative reports and law enforcement agencies. The most important skills for a lead investigator are law enforcement agencies, background investigations, and data analysis.
| Investigative Specialist | Lead Investigator | |
| Yearly salary | $50,153 | $60,060 |
| Hourly rate | $24.11 | $28.88 |
| Growth rate | 6% | 6% |
| Number of jobs | 39,030 | 21,299 |
| Job satisfaction | - | - |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 62% | Bachelor's Degree, 64% |
| Average age | 44 | 44 |
| Years of experience | 6 | 6 |
The duties of an investigative specialist depend on one's line of work or industry of employment. In a business environment, their responsibilities typically revolve around coordinating with different departments to gather extensive data, analyzing documentation, identifying any discrepancies and irregularities, and performing corrective measures while trying to find the reason for errors. Furthermore, as an investigative specialist, it is essential to address any issues or concerns, thoroughly investigating any reported suspicious activities, dealing with them promptly and efficiently in adherence to the company's policies and regulations.
Lead investigators are responsible for gathering information from both eyewitnesses and suspects. They have to untangle the crime scene for possible clues like DNA, fingerprints, physical evidence, and more. They document the scene by taking photos or by using Leica scanners to capture every detail of the crime scene. Also, they take evidence, processed them, preserve records, and then present the evidence to courts. Additionally, they, at times, procure supplies and items essential for an investigation like identifications apparatus. Lead investigators must know the state, federal, and local laws regarding police operations, investigative procedures as well as evidence safekeeping and demolition.
Investigative specialists and lead investigators have different pay scales, as shown below.
| Investigative Specialist | Lead Investigator | |
| Average salary | $50,153 | $60,060 |
| Salary range | Between $31,000 And $79,000 | Between $31,000 And $113,000 |
| Highest paying City | Washington, DC | South San Francisco, CA |
| Highest paying state | Delaware | Delaware |
| Best paying company | BP America Inc | BNY Mellon |
| Best paying industry | - | Pharmaceutical |
There are a few differences between an investigative specialist and a lead investigator in terms of educational background:
| Investigative Specialist | Lead Investigator | |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 62% | Bachelor's Degree, 64% |
| Most common major | Criminal Justice | Criminal Justice |
| Most common college | California State University - Bakersfield | California State University - Bakersfield |
Here are the differences between investigative specialists' and lead investigators' demographics:
| Investigative Specialist | Lead Investigator | |
| Average age | 44 | 44 |
| Gender ratio | Male, 42.5% Female, 57.5% | Male, 68.6% Female, 31.4% |
| Race ratio | Black or African American, 13.6% Unknown, 5.8% Hispanic or Latino, 19.0% Asian, 5.0% White, 56.3% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.3% | Black or African American, 13.2% Unknown, 5.8% Hispanic or Latino, 18.2% Asian, 4.6% White, 57.9% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.3% |
| LGBT Percentage | 8% | 8% |