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Narcotics agent vs special investigator

The differences between narcotics agents 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 narcotics agent and a special investigator. Additionally, a narcotics agent has an average salary of $65,852, which is higher than the $50,623 average annual salary of a special investigator.

The top three skills for a narcotics agent include patrol, criminal investigations and crime scenes. The most important skills for a special investigator are law enforcement agencies, background checks, and child abuse.

Narcotics agent vs special investigator overview

Narcotics AgentSpecial Investigator
Yearly salary$65,852$50,623
Hourly rate$31.66$24.34
Growth rate3%3%
Number of jobs25,10114,799
Job satisfaction--
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 40%Bachelor's Degree, 67%
Average age4444
Years of experience22

Narcotics agent vs special investigator salary

Narcotics agents and special investigators have different pay scales, as shown below.

Narcotics AgentSpecial Investigator
Average salary$65,852$50,623
Salary rangeBetween $44,000 And $97,000Between $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 narcotics agent and special investigator education

There are a few differences between a narcotics agent and a special investigator in terms of educational background:

Narcotics AgentSpecial Investigator
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 40%Bachelor's Degree, 67%
Most common majorCriminal JusticeCriminal Justice
Most common college--

Narcotics agent vs special investigator demographics

Here are the differences between narcotics agents' and special investigators' demographics:

Narcotics AgentSpecial Investigator
Average age4444
Gender ratioMale, 88.1% Female, 11.9%Male, 63.5% Female, 36.5%
Race ratioBlack or African American, 11.9% Unknown, 5.0% Hispanic or Latino, 17.0% Asian, 2.8% White, 62.6% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.7%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 narcotics agent and special investigator duties and responsibilities

Narcotics agent example responsibilities.

  • Conduct joint planning and manage AFOSI's criminal investigations and counterintelligence operations in northern Italy.
  • Conduct searches of all Latin American and Caribbean AA flights inbound and outbound for illegal narcotics and firearms.
  • Review all complete DEA integrity/misconduct investigations, shooting investigations, accidents with government vehicles and property loss or damage negligence/liability reports.
  • Conduct joint planning and manage AFOSI's criminal investigations and counterintelligence operations in northern Italy.

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

Narcotics agent vs special investigator skills

Common narcotics agent skills
  • Patrol, 17%
  • Criminal Investigations, 14%
  • Crime Scenes, 11%
  • Law Enforcement Agencies, 10%
  • Electronic Surveillance, 9%
  • Subpoenas, 5%
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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