Post job

Investigator vs licensed private investigator

The differences between investigators and licensed private 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 licensed private investigator. Additionally, an investigator has an average salary of $71,406, which is higher than the $47,204 average annual salary of a licensed private investigator.

The top three skills for an investigator include law enforcement agencies, management system and customer service. The most important skills for a licensed private investigator are background checks, child abuse, and insurance fraud.

Investigator vs licensed private investigator overview

InvestigatorLicensed Private Investigator
Yearly salary$71,406$47,204
Hourly rate$34.33$22.69
Growth rate6%6%
Number of jobs5,08516,954
Job satisfaction--
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 62%Bachelor's Degree, 55%
Average age4444
Years of experience66

Investigator vs licensed private investigator salary

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

InvestigatorLicensed Private Investigator
Average salary$71,406$47,204
Salary rangeBetween $42,000 And $119,000Between $30,000 And $74,000
Highest paying CitySan Francisco, CA-
Highest paying stateCalifornia-
Best paying companyApple-
Best paying industry--

Differences between investigator and licensed private investigator education

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

InvestigatorLicensed Private Investigator
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 62%Bachelor's Degree, 55%
Most common majorCriminal JusticeCriminal Justice
Most common collegeCalifornia State University - BakersfieldCalifornia State University - Bakersfield

Investigator vs licensed private investigator demographics

Here are the differences between investigators' and licensed private investigators' demographics:

InvestigatorLicensed Private Investigator
Average age4444
Gender ratioMale, 56.6% Female, 43.4%Male, 66.2% Female, 33.8%
Race ratioBlack 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, 13.6% Unknown, 5.7% Hispanic or Latino, 19.6% Asian, 4.7% White, 56.1% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.3%
LGBT Percentage8%8%

Differences between investigator and licensed private 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.
  • Show more

Licensed private investigator example responsibilities.

  • Manage and dispose of claims in litigation by preparing and developing strategy with defense counsel and consensus relative to litigation handling.
  • Deliver subpoenas, interview witnesses and clients, write reports, some surveillance experience.
  • Serve subpoenas and legal documents, supervise special events to include short and long term security operations.
  • Create quality control documentation associate with manufacturing process, raw materials and quality testing procedures according to corporate and FDA guidelines.
  • Identify and accurately report extremely time sensitive and confidential data in accordance with HIPPA guidelines.

Investigator vs licensed private 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 licensed private investigator skills
  • Background Checks, 11%
  • Child Abuse, 10%
  • Insurance Fraud, 9%
  • Background Investigations, 8%
  • Minimum Standards, 8%
  • Administrative Hearings, 6%

Browse protective service jobs