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Investigator vs special agent

The differences between investigators 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 investigator, becoming a special agent takes usually requires 1-2 years. Additionally, an investigator has an average salary of $71,406, which is higher than the $60,916 average annual salary of a special agent.

The top three skills for an investigator include law enforcement agencies, management system and customer service. The most important skills for a special agent are professional work, national security, and local law enforcement.

Investigator vs special agent overview

InvestigatorSpecial Agent
Yearly salary$71,406$60,916
Hourly rate$34.33$29.29
Growth rate6%3%
Number of jobs5,08546,232
Job satisfaction--
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 62%Bachelor's Degree, 68%
Average age4444
Years of experience62

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 special agent do?

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.

Investigator vs special agent salary

Investigators and special agents have different pay scales, as shown below.

InvestigatorSpecial Agent
Average salary$71,406$60,916
Salary rangeBetween $42,000 And $119,000Between $43,000 And $85,000
Highest paying CitySan Francisco, CAWashington, DC
Highest paying stateCaliforniaHawaii
Best paying companyAppleBNSF Railway
Best paying industry--

Differences between investigator and special agent education

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

InvestigatorSpecial Agent
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 62%Bachelor's Degree, 68%
Most common majorCriminal JusticeCriminal Justice
Most common collegeCalifornia State University - Bakersfield-

Investigator vs special agent demographics

Here are the differences between investigators' and special agents' demographics:

InvestigatorSpecial Agent
Average age4444
Gender ratioMale, 56.6% Female, 43.4%Male, 83.1% Female, 16.9%
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, 11.8% Unknown, 5.0% Hispanic or Latino, 16.8% Asian, 2.8% White, 63.0% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.7%
LGBT Percentage8%9%

Differences between investigator and special agent 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

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

Investigator vs special agent 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 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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