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The differences between lead investigators and security assistants 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 $38,261 average annual salary of a security assistant.
The top three skills for a lead investigator include law enforcement agencies, background investigations and data analysis. The most important skills for a security assistant are customer service, security clearance, and patrol.
| Lead Investigator | Security Assistant | |
| Yearly salary | $60,060 | $38,261 |
| Hourly rate | $28.88 | $18.39 |
| Growth rate | 6% | 3% |
| Number of jobs | 21,299 | 102,858 |
| Job satisfaction | - | - |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 64% | Bachelor's Degree, 50% |
| Average age | 44 | 43 |
| 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.
A security assistant is in charge of performing support tasks in a company or establishment's security department. Their responsibilities typically include monitoring alarm systems and surveillance cameras, organizing equipment such as radios and flashlights, keeping an eye on the inventory of supplies, and liaising with external and internal parties. They may also perform clerical tasks such as preparing and processing documentation, arranging requests, answering calls and correspondence, maintaining records of transactions, and handling paperwork. There are also instances where they must assist clients and employees, adhering to protocols as needed.
Lead investigators and security assistants have different pay scales, as shown below.
| Lead Investigator | Security Assistant | |
| Average salary | $60,060 | $38,261 |
| Salary range | Between $31,000 And $113,000 | Between $24,000 And $59,000 |
| Highest paying City | South San Francisco, CA | Washington, DC |
| Highest paying state | Delaware | Alaska |
| Best paying company | BNY Mellon | Inter-Con Security Systems |
| Best paying industry | Pharmaceutical | Government |
There are a few differences between a lead investigator and a security assistant in terms of educational background:
| Lead Investigator | Security Assistant | |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 64% | Bachelor's Degree, 50% |
| Most common major | Criminal Justice | Criminal Justice |
| Most common college | California State University - Bakersfield | - |
Here are the differences between lead investigators' and security assistants' demographics:
| Lead Investigator | Security Assistant | |
| Average age | 44 | 43 |
| Gender ratio | Male, 68.6% Female, 31.4% | Male, 56.4% Female, 43.6% |
| 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, 15.6% Unknown, 5.3% Hispanic or Latino, 18.4% Asian, 6.1% White, 52.9% American Indian and Alaska Native, 1.6% |
| LGBT Percentage | 8% | 6% |