Principal investigator vs lead investigator

The differences between principal investigators and lead investigators can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. While it typically takes 2-4 years to become a principal investigator, becoming a lead investigator takes usually requires 4-6 years. Additionally, a principal investigator has an average salary of $84,635, which is higher than the $60,060 average annual salary of a lead investigator.

The top three skills for a principal investigator include patients, data collection and project management. The most important skills for a lead investigator are law enforcement agencies, background investigations, and data analysis.

Principal investigator vs lead investigator overview

	Principal Investigator	Lead Investigator
Yearly salary	$84,635	$60,060
Hourly rate	$40.69	$28.88
Growth rate	5%	6%
Number of jobs	44,475	21,299
Job satisfaction	-	-
Most common degree	Bachelor's Degree, 53%	Bachelor's Degree, 64%
Average age	47	44
Years of experience	4	6

What does a principal investigator do?

A Principal Investigator is the primary person who is responsible for designing, conducting, and reporting a research project. They report to a designated official such as the department head or division chief.

What does a lead investigator do?

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.

Principal investigator vs lead investigator salary

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

	Principal Investigator	Lead Investigator
Average salary	$84,635	$60,060
Salary range	Between $59,000 And $120,000	Between $31,000 And $113,000
Highest paying City	San Francisco, CA	South San Francisco, CA
Highest paying state	California	Delaware
Best paying company	Incyte	BNY Mellon
Best paying industry	Technology	Pharmaceutical

Differences between principal investigator and lead investigator education

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

	Principal Investigator	Lead Investigator
Most common degree	Bachelor's Degree, 53%	Bachelor's Degree, 64%
Most common major	Psychology	Criminal Justice
Most common college	University of Michigan - Ann Arbor	California State University - Bakersfield

Principal investigator vs lead investigator demographics

Here are the differences between principal investigators' and lead investigators' demographics:

	Principal Investigator	Lead Investigator
Average age	47	44
Gender ratio	Male, 52.2% Female, 47.8%	Male, 68.6% Female, 31.4%
Race ratio	Black or African American, 10.3% Unknown, 4.0% Hispanic or Latino, 14.0% Asian, 4.3% White, 66.7% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.7%	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 Percentage	16%	8%

Differences between principal investigator and lead investigator duties and responsibilities

Principal investigator example responsibilities.

Serve chemistry project leads for two early-stage drug discovery projects.
Design, build and manage CADD, NMR and MRI facilities.
Attain IRB approval, recruit participants, analyze the data and present results
Manage outsource projects, and interact with vendors for API sourcing, and device components base on project needs.
Conduct research using industry standards: GCP, GLP, SORP and compliance with IRB.
Receive IRB approval and clearance for research

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.

Principal investigator vs lead investigator skills

Common principal investigator skills

Patients, 10%
Data Collection, 9%
Project Management, 8%
Technical Reports, 6%
FDA, 4%
Data Analysis, 4%

Common lead investigator skills

Law Enforcement Agencies, 9%
Background Investigations, 9%
Data Analysis, 8%
Corrective Action, 8%
Criminal Justice, 7%
Loss Prevention, 7%

Principal Investigator vs. similar jobs

Principal Investigator related careers

Principal Investigator related jobs

What similar roles do

Zippia Careers
Executive Management Industry
Principal Investigator
Principal Investigator vs Lead Investigator

Updated January 8, 2025

Browse executive management jobs