Private investigator vs lead investigator

The differences between 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 private investigator and a lead investigator. Additionally, a lead investigator has an average salary of $60,060, which is higher than the $48,019 average annual salary of a private investigator.

The top three skills for a private investigator include background checks, background investigations and video surveillance. The most important skills for a lead investigator are law enforcement agencies, background investigations, and data analysis.

Private investigator vs lead investigator overview

	Private Investigator	Lead Investigator
Yearly salary	$48,019	$60,060
Hourly rate	$23.09	$28.88
Growth rate	6%	6%
Number of jobs	6,675	21,299
Job satisfaction	-	-
Most common degree	Bachelor's Degree, 54%	Bachelor's Degree, 64%
Average age	44	44
Years of experience	6	6

What does a private investigator do?

Private investigators will require skills in surveillance, research, interviewing, critical thinking, and communication. Those who choose this career path will be called on to find information for organizations and individuals, as well as engage in different cases. An investigator's goal is to find legal, personal, or financial information through background checks, interviews, and surveillance.

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.

Private investigator vs lead investigator salary

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

	Private Investigator	Lead Investigator
Average salary	$48,019	$60,060
Salary range	Between $29,000 And $78,000	Between $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 private investigator and lead investigator education

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

	Private Investigator	Lead Investigator
Most common degree	Bachelor's Degree, 54%	Bachelor's Degree, 64%
Most common major	Criminal Justice	Criminal Justice
Most common college	University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill	California State University - Bakersfield

Private investigator vs lead investigator demographics

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

	Private Investigator	Lead Investigator
Average age	44	44
Gender ratio	Male, 73.1% Female, 26.9%	Male, 68.6% Female, 31.4%
Race ratio	Black or African American, 13.2% Unknown, 5.6% Hispanic or Latino, 18.9% Asian, 4.6% White, 57.5% 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 Percentage	8%	8%

Differences between private investigator and lead investigator duties and responsibilities

Private investigator example responsibilities.

Manage all business reporting to include; payroll, taxes, client billing, account reconciliations and compliance reports.
Take ownership of the queue and promptly escalate any issues or obstacles to completing daily SAR filings
Conduct SIU, fraud, criminal, civil, and exploratory investigations as defined in client contracts.
Conduct different types of SIU investigations as well as civil, criminal, and asset background courthouse checks.
Serve subpoenas, coordinate witness court appearances, compile information from interviews, and developed/maintain community and informant contacts.
Create quality control documentation associate with manufacturing process, raw materials and quality testing procedures according to corporate and FDA 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.

Private investigator vs lead investigator skills

Common private investigator skills

Background Checks, 15%
Background Investigations, 12%
Video Surveillance, 12%
Subpoenas, 5%
Law Enforcement Agencies, 5%
Computer Database, 4%

Common lead investigator skills

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

Private Investigator vs. similar jobs

Private Investigator related careers

Private Investigator related jobs

What similar roles do

Zippia Careers
Protective Service Industry
Private Investigator
Private Investigator vs Lead Investigator

Updated January 8, 2025

Browse protective service jobs