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Senior investigator vs security assistant

The differences between senior investigators and security assistants can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. Additionally, a senior investigator has an average salary of $61,240, which is higher than the $38,261 average annual salary of a security assistant.

The top three skills for a senior investigator include senior level management, local law enforcement and claims handling. The most important skills for a security assistant are customer service, security clearance, and patrol.

Senior investigator vs security assistant overview

Senior InvestigatorSecurity Assistant
Yearly salary$61,240$38,261
Hourly rate$29.44$18.39
Growth rate3%3%
Number of jobs4,525102,858
Job satisfaction--
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 66%Bachelor's Degree, 50%
Average age4443
Years of experience2-

What does a senior investigator do?

As a senior investigator, you will be responsible for managing investigations for crimes, including corruption, organized crime, and fraud. You will work closely with the district attorney and law enforcement to investigate and solve these crimes. This role will require you to perform other additional duties, including collecting DNA samples from the crime scene, suspects and victims, organizing live training on risk, compliance, and ethics, and testifying in criminal and civil courts, civil service hearings, and ethics commission.

What does a security assistant do?

A security assistant is in charge of performing support tasks in a company or establishment's security department. Their responsibilities typically include monitoring alarm systems and surveillance cameras, organizing equipment such as radios and flashlights, keeping an eye on the inventory of supplies, and liaising with external and internal parties. They may also perform clerical tasks such as preparing and processing documentation, arranging requests, answering calls and correspondence, maintaining records of transactions, and handling paperwork. There are also instances where they must assist clients and employees, adhering to protocols as needed.

Senior investigator vs security assistant salary

Senior investigators and security assistants have different pay scales, as shown below.

Senior InvestigatorSecurity Assistant
Average salary$61,240$38,261
Salary rangeBetween $35,000 And $105,000Between $24,000 And $59,000
Highest paying CityFrederick, MDWashington, DC
Highest paying stateMarylandAlaska
Best paying companyDLA PiperInter-Con Security Systems
Best paying industryFinanceGovernment

Differences between senior investigator and security assistant education

There are a few differences between a senior investigator and a security assistant in terms of educational background:

Senior InvestigatorSecurity Assistant
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 66%Bachelor's Degree, 50%
Most common majorCriminal JusticeCriminal Justice
Most common college--

Senior investigator vs security assistant demographics

Here are the differences between senior investigators' and security assistants' demographics:

Senior InvestigatorSecurity Assistant
Average age4443
Gender ratioMale, 65.4% Female, 34.6%Male, 56.4% Female, 43.6%
Race ratioBlack or African American, 11.8% Unknown, 5.0% Hispanic or Latino, 16.8% Asian, 2.8% White, 62.9% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.7%Black or African American, 15.6% Unknown, 5.3% Hispanic or Latino, 18.4% Asian, 6.1% White, 52.9% American Indian and Alaska Native, 1.6%
LGBT Percentage9%6%

Differences between senior investigator and security assistant duties and responsibilities

Senior investigator example responsibilities.

  • Investigate allegations of suspect FWA / prioritize and manage case load / maintain comprehensive case files.
  • Receive multiple letters of commendation for effective investigations that lead to successful prosecutions.
  • Create budget friendly evidence collection boxes for investigations and patrol officers.
  • Send specimens to laboratory to obtain DNA.
  • Participate on committees and teams supporting GMP compliance programs.
  • Collect possible DNA samples from the scene, victims, and suspects.
  • Show more

Security assistant example responsibilities.

  • Manage the application for the FCL, maintain e-FCL and track clearance progress; provide CEO reports for require clearance actions.
  • Review, approve and input daily patrol logs, inspection forms, incident reports, and correspondence into the appropriate file/system.
  • Assist DHS on a contract with CBP.
  • Track employee DHS suitability status.
  • Request all supporting documents through DCII and the SMO need to properly determine access.
  • Conduct quarterly boat patrol inspections and annotates/resolve discrepancies.
  • Show more

Senior investigator vs security assistant skills

Common senior investigator skills
  • Senior Level Management, 13%
  • Local Law Enforcement, 9%
  • Claims Handling, 8%
  • Court Proceedings, 8%
  • Data Analysis, 4%
  • Management System, 3%
Common security assistant skills
  • Customer Service, 11%
  • Security Clearance, 8%
  • Patrol, 7%
  • Patients, 6%
  • Security Procedures, 5%
  • Background Checks, 4%

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