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The differences between investigative 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 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 $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 special agent are professional work, national security, and local law enforcement.
| Investigative Specialist | Special Agent | |
| Yearly salary | $50,153 | $60,916 |
| Hourly rate | $24.11 | $29.29 |
| Growth rate | 6% | 3% |
| Number of jobs | 39,030 | 46,232 |
| Job satisfaction | - | - |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 62% | Bachelor's Degree, 68% |
| Average age | 44 | 44 |
| Years of experience | 6 | 2 |
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.
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.
Investigative specialists and special agents have different pay scales, as shown below.
| Investigative Specialist | Special Agent | |
| Average salary | $50,153 | $60,916 |
| Salary range | Between $31,000 And $79,000 | Between $43,000 And $85,000 |
| Highest paying City | Washington, DC | Washington, DC |
| Highest paying state | Delaware | Hawaii |
| Best paying company | BP America Inc | BNSF Railway |
| Best paying industry | - | - |
There are a few differences between an investigative specialist and a special agent in terms of educational background:
| Investigative Specialist | Special Agent | |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 62% | Bachelor's Degree, 68% |
| Most common major | Criminal Justice | Criminal Justice |
| Most common college | California State University - Bakersfield | - |
Here are the differences between investigative specialists' and special agents' demographics:
| Investigative Specialist | Special Agent | |
| Average age | 44 | 44 |
| Gender ratio | Male, 42.5% Female, 57.5% | Male, 83.1% Female, 16.9% |
| 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, 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 | 8% | 9% |