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The differences between lead investigators and law enforcement officers can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. Additionally, a lead investigator has an average salary of $60,060, which is higher than the $39,219 average annual salary of a law enforcement officer.
The top three skills for a lead investigator include law enforcement agencies, background investigations and data analysis. The most important skills for a law enforcement officer are patrol, public safety, and emergency situations.
| Lead Investigator | Law Enforcement Officer | |
| Yearly salary | $60,060 | $39,219 |
| Hourly rate | $28.88 | $18.86 |
| Growth rate | 6% | 3% |
| Number of jobs | 21,299 | 105,817 |
| Job satisfaction | - | 4 |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 64% | Bachelor's Degree, 47% |
| Average age | 44 | 40 |
| Years of experience | 6 | - |
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.
The duties of a law enforcement officer depend on their line of work or agency of employment. In general, they are responsible for enforcing laws and regulations, prioritizing the safety of citizens and the protection of the city. Typically, their responsibilities include patrolling their designated area, responding to distress, monitoring suspicious activities and characters, conducting investigations and inspections, and coordinating various services to assist citizens. Moreover, as a law enforcement officer, it is essential to serve as a role model for citizens and uphold the oath to serve and protect.
Lead investigators and law enforcement officers have different pay scales, as shown below.
| Lead Investigator | Law Enforcement Officer | |
| Average salary | $60,060 | $39,219 |
| Salary range | Between $31,000 And $113,000 | Between $30,000 And $50,000 |
| Highest paying City | South San Francisco, CA | Seattle, WA |
| Highest paying state | Delaware | Washington |
| Best paying company | BNY Mellon | University of Nebraska System |
| Best paying industry | Pharmaceutical | Government |
There are a few differences between a lead investigator and a law enforcement officer in terms of educational background:
| Lead Investigator | Law Enforcement Officer | |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 64% | Bachelor's Degree, 47% |
| Most common major | Criminal Justice | Criminal Justice |
| Most common college | California State University - Bakersfield | Pennsylvania State University |
Here are the differences between lead investigators' and law enforcement officers' demographics:
| Lead Investigator | Law Enforcement Officer | |
| Average age | 44 | 40 |
| Gender ratio | Male, 68.6% Female, 31.4% | Male, 80.3% Female, 19.7% |
| 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, 13.3% Unknown, 4.7% Hispanic or Latino, 18.2% Asian, 3.1% White, 59.6% American Indian and Alaska Native, 1.0% |
| LGBT Percentage | 8% | 7% |