Narcotics detective vs homicide investigator

The differences between narcotics detectives and homicide investigators can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. Additionally, a homicide investigator has an average salary of $52,240, which is higher than the $51,008 average annual salary of a narcotics detective.

The top three skills for a narcotics detective include surveillance operations, patrol and crime scenes. The most important skills for a homicide investigator are patrol, physical evidence, and subpoenas.

Narcotics detective vs homicide investigator overview

	Narcotics Detective	Homicide Investigator
Yearly salary	$51,008	$52,240
Hourly rate	$24.52	$25.12
Growth rate	3%	3%
Number of jobs	554	4,427
Job satisfaction	-	-
Most common degree	Bachelor's Degree, 53%	Bachelor's Degree, 46%
Average age	44	44
Years of experience	-	-

Narcotics detective vs homicide investigator salary

Narcotics detectives and homicide investigators have different pay scales, as shown below.

	Narcotics Detective	Homicide Investigator
Average salary	$51,008	$52,240
Salary range	Between $34,000 And $74,000	Between $31,000 And $86,000
Highest paying City	-	-
Highest paying state	-	-
Best paying company	-	-
Best paying industry	-	-

Differences between narcotics detective and homicide investigator education

There are a few differences between a narcotics detective and a homicide investigator in terms of educational background:

	Narcotics Detective	Homicide Investigator
Most common degree	Bachelor's Degree, 53%	Bachelor's Degree, 46%
Most common major	Criminal Justice	Criminal Justice
Most common college	-	Pennsylvania State University

Narcotics detective vs homicide investigator demographics

Here are the differences between narcotics detectives' and homicide investigators' demographics:

	Narcotics Detective	Homicide Investigator
Average age	44	44
Gender ratio	Male, 89.1% Female, 10.9%	Male, 91.7% Female, 8.3%
Race ratio	Black or African American, 11.9% Unknown, 5.0% Hispanic or Latino, 17.0% Asian, 2.8% White, 62.5% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.7%	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	9%	9%

Differences between narcotics detective and homicide investigator duties and responsibilities

Narcotics detective example responsibilities.

Job duties as a patrol deputy are to answer calls, transport mental people, serve warrants.
Train troopers in patrol investigation procedures.
Demonstrate expert proficiency in firearms usage and maintenance.
Supervise all-source intelligence collection, cycle and processes in accordance with FBI and DEA investigative requirements regarding information gaps.
Supervise all-source intelligence collection, cycle and processes in accordance with FBI and DEA investigative requirements regarding information gaps.

Homicide investigator example responsibilities.

Lead patrol shifts, prepare and review officer case reports and traffic citations.
Answer civil and domestic disputes and disturbances as patrol officer; generate reports and investigations and manage large case load.
Receive multiple letters of commendation for effective investigations that lead to successful prosecutions.
Analyze high risk transaction activity and provide final approval of investigative case analyses utilize for SAR preparation and filing.
Provide direction and guidance on several high-profile homicide investigations, as well as numerous additional criminal and narcotics investigations.

Narcotics detective vs homicide investigator skills

Common narcotics detective skills

Surveillance Operations, 18%
Patrol, 14%
Crime Scenes, 13%
Law Enforcement Agencies, 8%
Public Safety, 4%
Narcotics Investigations, 4%

Common homicide investigator skills

Patrol, 29%
Physical Evidence, 23%
Subpoenas, 22%
Law Enforcement Agencies, 12%
Death Investigations, 7%
Grand Jury, 4%

Narcotics Detective vs. similar jobs

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Narcotics Detective related jobs

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Criminal Investigator responsibilities

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Narcotics Detective
Narcotics Detective vs Homicide Investigator

Updated January 8, 2025

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