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The differences between lead investigators and intelligence analysts can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. While it typically takes 4-6 years to become a lead investigator, becoming an intelligence analyst takes usually requires 2-4 years. Additionally, an intelligence analyst has an average salary of $77,752, which is higher than the $60,060 average annual salary of a lead investigator.
The top three skills for a lead investigator include law enforcement agencies, background investigations and data analysis. The most important skills for an intelligence analyst are government agencies, national security, and ISR.
| Lead Investigator | Intelligence Analyst | |
| Yearly salary | $60,060 | $77,752 |
| Hourly rate | $28.88 | $37.38 |
| Growth rate | 6% | 3% |
| Number of jobs | 21,299 | 21,390 |
| Job satisfaction | - | - |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 64% | Bachelor's Degree, 57% |
| Average age | 44 | 44 |
| Years of experience | 6 | 4 |
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.
An intelligence analyst is responsible for collecting information from various sources, including security databases, law surveillance networks, past intelligence reports, geographic and mapping tools, and communication records to locate threats and prevent crime and terrorist activities. Intelligence analysts work with different national organizations to gather information on related criminal activities and determine patterns and support investigations. An intelligence analyst must be highly critical and analytical to connect data and capture enemies to ensure the public's safety and security.
Lead investigators and intelligence analysts have different pay scales, as shown below.
| Lead Investigator | Intelligence Analyst | |
| Average salary | $60,060 | $77,752 |
| Salary range | Between $31,000 And $113,000 | Between $57,000 And $106,000 |
| Highest paying City | South San Francisco, CA | San Francisco, CA |
| Highest paying state | Delaware | Washington |
| Best paying company | BNY Mellon | Meta |
| Best paying industry | Pharmaceutical | Technology |
There are a few differences between a lead investigator and an intelligence analyst in terms of educational background:
| Lead Investigator | Intelligence Analyst | |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 64% | Bachelor's Degree, 57% |
| Most common major | Criminal Justice | Criminal Justice |
| Most common college | California State University - Bakersfield | York College of Pennsylvania |
Here are the differences between lead investigators' and intelligence analysts' demographics:
| Lead Investigator | Intelligence Analyst | |
| Average age | 44 | 44 |
| Gender ratio | Male, 68.6% Female, 31.4% | Male, 72.9% Female, 27.1% |
| Race ratio | 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% | Black or African American, 12.5% Unknown, 5.0% Hispanic or Latino, 16.0% Asian, 2.8% White, 63.0% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.7% |
| LGBT Percentage | 8% | 9% |