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The differences between senior research investigators and senior 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 senior research investigator, becoming a senior investigator takes usually requires 1-2 years. Additionally, a senior research investigator has an average salary of $90,336, which is higher than the $61,240 average annual salary of a senior investigator.
The top three skills for a senior research investigator include data analysis, drug discovery and chemistry. The most important skills for a senior investigator are senior level management, local law enforcement, and claims handling.
| Senior Research Investigator | Senior Investigator | |
| Yearly salary | $90,336 | $61,240 |
| Hourly rate | $43.43 | $29.44 |
| Growth rate | 17% | 3% |
| Number of jobs | 62,248 | 4,525 |
| Job satisfaction | - | - |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 72% | Bachelor's Degree, 66% |
| Average age | 41 | 44 |
| Years of experience | 4 | 2 |
A Senior Research Investigator specializes in conducting extensive research and analysis to develop conclusions and recommendations. Although the extent of their responsibilities depends on their place or employment industry, it usually includes adhering to guidelines and timelines, narrowing down leads to gather and analyze data, consulting with experts, and maintaining records of all procedures. As a Senior Research Investigator, it is essential to lead and serve as a role model to less experienced investigators in the joint effort to reach project goals, all while implementing the facility's standards and regulations.
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.
Senior research investigators and senior investigators have different pay scales, as shown below.
| Senior Research Investigator | Senior Investigator | |
| Average salary | $90,336 | $61,240 |
| Salary range | Between $58,000 And $139,000 | Between $35,000 And $105,000 |
| Highest paying City | San Francisco, CA | Frederick, MD |
| Highest paying state | Alaska | Maryland |
| Best paying company | Crunchbase | DLA Piper |
| Best paying industry | Pharmaceutical | Finance |
There are a few differences between a senior research investigator and a senior investigator in terms of educational background:
| Senior Research Investigator | Senior Investigator | |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 72% | Bachelor's Degree, 66% |
| Most common major | Chemistry | Criminal Justice |
| Most common college | Duke University | - |
Here are the differences between senior research investigators' and senior investigators' demographics:
| Senior Research Investigator | Senior Investigator | |
| Average age | 41 | 44 |
| Gender ratio | Male, 57.8% Female, 42.2% | Male, 65.4% Female, 34.6% |
| Race ratio | Black or African American, 6.2% Unknown, 4.1% Hispanic or Latino, 9.4% Asian, 24.9% White, 55.2% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.1% | Black 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% |
| LGBT Percentage | 8% | 9% |