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Licensed private investigator vs lead investigator

The differences between licensed private investigators and lead investigators can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. It typically takes 4-6 years to become both a licensed private investigator and a lead investigator. Additionally, a lead investigator has an average salary of $60,060, which is higher than the $47,204 average annual salary of a licensed private investigator.

The top three skills for a licensed private investigator include background checks, child abuse and insurance fraud. The most important skills for a lead investigator are law enforcement agencies, background investigations, and data analysis.

Licensed private investigator vs lead investigator overview

Licensed Private InvestigatorLead Investigator
Yearly salary$47,204$60,060
Hourly rate$22.69$28.88
Growth rate6%6%
Number of jobs16,95421,299
Job satisfaction--
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 55%Bachelor's Degree, 64%
Average age4444
Years of experience66

Licensed private investigator vs lead investigator salary

Licensed private investigators and lead investigators have different pay scales, as shown below.

Licensed Private InvestigatorLead Investigator
Average salary$47,204$60,060
Salary rangeBetween $30,000 And $74,000Between $31,000 And $113,000
Highest paying City-South San Francisco, CA
Highest paying state-Delaware
Best paying company-BNY Mellon
Best paying industry-Pharmaceutical

Differences between licensed private investigator and lead investigator education

There are a few differences between a licensed private investigator and a lead investigator in terms of educational background:

Licensed Private InvestigatorLead Investigator
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 55%Bachelor's Degree, 64%
Most common majorCriminal JusticeCriminal Justice
Most common collegeCalifornia State University - BakersfieldCalifornia State University - Bakersfield

Licensed private investigator vs lead investigator demographics

Here are the differences between licensed private investigators' and lead investigators' demographics:

Licensed Private InvestigatorLead Investigator
Average age4444
Gender ratioMale, 66.2% Female, 33.8%Male, 68.6% Female, 31.4%
Race ratioBlack or African American, 13.6% Unknown, 5.7% Hispanic or Latino, 19.6% Asian, 4.7% White, 56.1% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.3%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%
LGBT Percentage8%8%

Differences between licensed private investigator and lead investigator duties and responsibilities

Licensed private investigator example responsibilities.

  • Manage and dispose of claims in litigation by preparing and developing strategy with defense counsel and consensus relative to litigation handling.
  • Deliver subpoenas, interview witnesses and clients, write reports, some surveillance experience.
  • Serve subpoenas and legal documents, supervise special events to include short and long term security operations.
  • Create quality control documentation associate with manufacturing process, raw materials and quality testing procedures according to corporate and FDA guidelines.
  • Identify and accurately report extremely time sensitive and confidential data in accordance with HIPPA guidelines.

Lead investigator example responsibilities.

  • Manage corporate-wide document production relative to complex litigation cases.
  • Require to testify at court appearances in response to research pertaining to various types of subpoenas.
  • Develop procedures for and review incoming referrals from internal departments and subpoenas to determine if a full investigation are warranted.
  • Ensure effective prioritization of investigation through supervision and monitor & review investigative activity and outcomes using CCTV & by running reports.
  • Investigate and open cases on customers and non-customers who have potentially engage in activity which goes against federally mandate BSA/AML regulations.
  • Generate records by interrogatories or name, date of birth and social security number.
  • Show more

Licensed private investigator vs lead investigator skills

Common licensed private investigator skills
  • Background Checks, 11%
  • Child Abuse, 10%
  • Insurance Fraud, 9%
  • Background Investigations, 8%
  • Minimum Standards, 8%
  • Administrative Hearings, 6%
Common lead investigator skills
  • Law Enforcement Agencies, 9%
  • Background Investigations, 9%
  • Data Analysis, 8%
  • Corrective Action, 8%
  • Criminal Justice, 7%
  • Loss Prevention, 7%

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