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The differences between lead 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 a lead investigator, becoming a special agent takes usually requires 1-2 years. Additionally, a special agent has an average salary of $60,916, 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 a special agent are professional work, national security, and local law enforcement.
| Lead Investigator | Special Agent | |
| Yearly salary | $60,060 | $60,916 |
| Hourly rate | $28.88 | $29.29 |
| Growth rate | 6% | 3% |
| Number of jobs | 21,299 | 46,232 |
| Job satisfaction | - | - |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 64% | Bachelor's Degree, 68% |
| Average age | 44 | 44 |
| Years of experience | 6 | 2 |
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 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.
Lead investigators and special agents have different pay scales, as shown below.
| Lead Investigator | Special Agent | |
| Average salary | $60,060 | $60,916 |
| Salary range | Between $31,000 And $113,000 | Between $43,000 And $85,000 |
| Highest paying City | South San Francisco, CA | Washington, DC |
| Highest paying state | Delaware | Hawaii |
| Best paying company | BNY Mellon | BNSF Railway |
| Best paying industry | Pharmaceutical | - |
There are a few differences between a lead investigator and a special agent in terms of educational background:
| Lead Investigator | Special Agent | |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 64% | Bachelor's Degree, 68% |
| Most common major | Criminal Justice | Criminal Justice |
| Most common college | California State University - Bakersfield | - |
Here are the differences between lead investigators' and special agents' demographics:
| Lead Investigator | Special Agent | |
| Average age | 44 | 44 |
| Gender ratio | Male, 68.6% Female, 31.4% | Male, 83.1% Female, 16.9% |
| 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, 11.8% Unknown, 5.0% Hispanic or Latino, 16.8% Asian, 2.8% White, 63.0% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.7% |
| LGBT Percentage | 8% | 9% |