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Major case detective vs special investigator

The differences between major case detectives and special investigators can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. It typically takes 1-2 years to become both a major case detective and a special investigator. Additionally, a special investigator has an average salary of $50,623, which is higher than the $44,241 average annual salary of a major case detective.

The top three skills for a major case detective include criminal investigations, and . The most important skills for a special investigator are law enforcement agencies, background checks, and child abuse.

Major case detective vs special investigator overview

Major Case DetectiveSpecial Investigator
Yearly salary$44,241$50,623
Hourly rate$21.27$24.34
Growth rate3%3%
Number of jobs23,10514,799
Job satisfaction--
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 65%Bachelor's Degree, 67%
Average age4444
Years of experience22

Major case detective vs special investigator salary

Major case detectives and special investigators have different pay scales, as shown below.

Major Case DetectiveSpecial Investigator
Average salary$44,241$50,623
Salary rangeBetween $29,000 And $66,000Between $31,000 And $80,000
Highest paying City-Lompoc, CA
Highest paying state-Maryland
Best paying company-City of Los Angeles
Best paying industry-Insurance

Differences between major case detective and special investigator education

There are a few differences between a major case detective and a special investigator in terms of educational background:

Major Case DetectiveSpecial Investigator
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 65%Bachelor's Degree, 67%
Most common majorCriminal JusticeCriminal Justice
Most common college--

Major case detective vs special investigator demographics

Here are the differences between major case detectives' and special investigators' demographics:

Major Case DetectiveSpecial Investigator
Average age4444
Gender ratioMale, 66.7% Female, 33.3%Male, 63.5% Female, 36.5%
Race ratioBlack or African American, 8.7% Unknown, 4.9% Hispanic or Latino, 11.8% Asian, 2.7% White, 71.2% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.6%Black or African American, 11.8% Unknown, 5.0% Hispanic or Latino, 16.9% Asian, 2.8% White, 62.8% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.7%
LGBT Percentage9%9%

Differences between major case detective and special investigator duties and responsibilities

Major case detective example responsibilities.

  • Apply proactive patrol, initiated/effect arrests, provide expert court testimonies, investigate crimes, and write detailed incident/investigative reports.
  • Supervise all-source intelligence collection, cycle and processes in accordance with FBI and DEA investigative requirements regarding information gaps.

Special investigator example responsibilities.

  • Gather and analyze pertinent documentation, collect recorded statements, report fraud, and manage data in support of subsequent litigation.
  • Gather and analyze pertinent documentation, collect recorded statements, report fraud, and manage data in support of subsequent litigation.
  • Complete a DMV check to verify applicant identity.
  • Conduct in-depth financial investigations to determine patient's eligibility for Medicaid.
  • Ensure compliance of all plans and documentation by researching employment history, criminal records, civil filings, and DMV records.
  • Use specify techniques to safeguard PII including daily case document check out and bi-weekly case retention manifests.
    • Show more

Major case detective vs special investigator skills

Common major case detective skills
  • Criminal Investigations, 100%
Common special investigator skills
  • Law Enforcement Agencies, 11%
  • Background Checks, 9%
  • Child Abuse, 7%
  • Insurance Claims, 5%
  • SIS, 5%
  • Local Law Enforcement, 4%

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Updated January 8, 2025

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