Investigator vs lead investigator

The differences between investigators 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 investigator and a lead investigator. Additionally, an investigator has an average salary of $71,406, which is higher than the $60,060 average annual salary of a lead investigator.

The top three skills for an investigator include law enforcement agencies, management system and customer service. The most important skills for a lead investigator are law enforcement agencies, background investigations, and data analysis.

Investigator vs lead investigator overview

	Investigator	Lead Investigator
Yearly salary	$71,406	$60,060
Hourly rate	$34.33	$28.88
Growth rate	6%	6%
Number of jobs	5,085	21,299
Job satisfaction	-	-
Most common degree	Bachelor's Degree, 62%	Bachelor's Degree, 64%
Average age	44	44
Years of experience	6	6

What does an investigator do?

Criminal investigators play an essential role in criminal justice and law enforcement. Their job entails solving open cases that may take them weeks or even months to accomplish. Collecting evidence, interviewing witnesses, and arresting suspects are among their many tasks. They work at every level of criminal justice and law enforcement. For criminal investigators to succeed in their profession, they should have sound judgment, strong communication skills, ethical standards, physical fitness, and empathy. They also benefit from strong job prospects, in addition to an exciting and rewarding job.

What does a lead investigator do?

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.

Investigator vs lead investigator salary

Investigators and lead investigators have different pay scales, as shown below.

	Investigator	Lead Investigator
Average salary	$71,406	$60,060
Salary range	Between $42,000 And $119,000	Between $31,000 And $113,000
Highest paying City	San Francisco, CA	South San Francisco, CA
Highest paying state	California	Delaware
Best paying company	Apple	BNY Mellon
Best paying industry	-	Pharmaceutical

Differences between investigator and lead investigator education

There are a few differences between an investigator and a lead investigator in terms of educational background:

	Investigator	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

Investigator vs lead investigator demographics

Here are the differences between investigators' and lead investigators' demographics:

	Investigator	Lead Investigator
Average age	44	44
Gender ratio	Male, 56.6% Female, 43.4%	Male, 68.6% Female, 31.4%
Race ratio	Black or African American, 13.5% Unknown, 5.8% Hispanic or Latino, 19.2% Asian, 4.7% White, 56.5% 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%

Differences between investigator and lead investigator duties and responsibilities

Investigator example responsibilities.

Participate in and lead the controlled purchase of illegal narcotics and firearms to apprehend suspects.
Manage all business reporting to include; payroll, taxes, client billing, account reconciliations and compliance reports.
Manage corporate-wide document production relative to complex litigation cases.
Receive multiple letters of commendation for effective investigations that lead to successful prosecutions.
Collaborate with federal agencies, including the FBI, DEA, ATF and IRS.
Write a detail case report, and attach all supporting documentation necessary to write up SAR's where necessary per BSA.

Lead investigator example responsibilities.

Manage corporate-wide document production relative to complex litigation cases.
Require to testify at court appearances in response to research pertaining to various types of subpoenas.
Develop procedures for and review incoming referrals from internal departments and subpoenas to determine if a full investigation are warranted.
Ensure effective prioritization of investigation through supervision and monitor & review investigative activity and outcomes using CCTV & by running reports.
Investigate and open cases on customers and non-customers who have potentially engage in activity which goes against federally mandate BSA/AML regulations.
Generate records by interrogatories or name, date of birth and social security number.

Investigator vs lead investigator skills

Common investigator skills

Law Enforcement Agencies, 7%
Management System, 6%
Customer Service, 5%
Criminal Justice, 5%
Senior Level Management, 4%
Child Abuse, 4%

Common lead investigator skills

Law Enforcement Agencies, 9%
Background Investigations, 9%
Data Analysis, 8%
Corrective Action, 8%
Criminal Justice, 7%
Loss Prevention, 7%

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Investigator
Investigator vs Lead Investigator

Updated January 8, 2025

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