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The differences between special investigators and investigation officers can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. It typically takes 1-2 years to become both a special investigator and an investigation officer. Additionally, an investigation officer has an average salary of $66,489, which is higher than the $50,623 average annual salary of a special investigator.
The top three skills for a special investigator include law enforcement agencies, background checks and child abuse. The most important skills for an investigation officer are criminal justice, patrol, and law enforcement agencies.
Special investigators and investigation officers have different pay scales, as shown below.
| Special Investigator | Investigation Officer | |
| Average salary | $50,623 | $66,489 |
| Salary range | Between $31,000 And $80,000 | Between $43,000 And $100,000 |
| Highest paying City | Lompoc, CA | - |
| Highest paying state | Maryland | - |
| Best paying company | City of Los Angeles | - |
| Best paying industry | Insurance | - |
There are a few differences between a special investigator and an investigation officer in terms of educational background:
| Special Investigator | Investigation Officer | |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 67% | Bachelor's Degree, 60% |
| Most common major | Criminal Justice | Criminal Justice |
| Most common college | - | - |
Here are the differences between special investigators' and investigation officers' demographics:
| Special Investigator | Investigation Officer | |
| Average age | 44 | 44 |
| Gender ratio | Male, 63.5% Female, 36.5% | Male, 72.8% Female, 27.2% |
| Race ratio | Black or African American, 11.8% Unknown, 5.0% Hispanic or Latino, 16.9% Asian, 2.8% White, 62.8% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.7% | Black or African American, 11.9% Unknown, 5.0% Hispanic or Latino, 17.0% Asian, 2.8% White, 62.6% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.7% |
| LGBT Percentage | 9% | 9% |