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Special investigator vs supervisory special agent

The differences between special investigators and supervisorsy special agent 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 a supervisory special agent. Additionally, a supervisory special agent has an average salary of $67,204, 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 a supervisory special agent are law enforcement agencies, fraud investigations, and criminal investigations.

Special investigator vs supervisory special agent overview

Special InvestigatorSupervisory Special Agent
Yearly salary$50,623$67,204
Hourly rate$24.34$32.31
Growth rate3%3%
Number of jobs14,79987,242
Job satisfaction--
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 67%Bachelor's Degree, 66%
Average age4444
Years of experience22

What does a special investigator do?

A special investigator is responsible for gathering information and analyzing evidence to identify criminal activities and law-violating instances. Special investigators review surveillance devices, interview witnesses, and coordinate with law enforcement agencies to collect related reports. They sort and store documents securely on databases for reference, confirm statements, and assist in court procedures for in-depth investigation. A special investigator must be highly communicative and observational, especially in organizing materials and verifying information to support claims and file the appropriate legal actions.

What does a supervisory special agent do?

A supervisory special agent leads teams of special agents in investigations. His/Her or her duties include delegating assignments, performing field interviews, examining suspects' financial records, and monitoring wiretaps. Supervisory special agents should have good judgment and possess excellent communication skills. They are often hired by industries such as government and finance. The education requirements to qualify for the position include a bachelor's or master's degree in criminal justice, business, law, or a related field.

Special investigator vs supervisory special agent salary

Special investigators and supervisorsy special agent have different pay scales, as shown below.

Special InvestigatorSupervisory Special Agent
Average salary$50,623$67,204
Salary rangeBetween $31,000 And $80,000Between $46,000 And $96,000
Highest paying CityLompoc, CA-
Highest paying stateMaryland-
Best paying companyCity of Los Angeles-
Best paying industryInsurance-

Differences between special investigator and supervisory special agent education

There are a few differences between a special investigator and a supervisory special agent in terms of educational background:

Special InvestigatorSupervisory Special Agent
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 67%Bachelor's Degree, 66%
Most common majorCriminal JusticeCriminal Justice
Most common college--

Special investigator vs supervisory special agent demographics

Here are the differences between special investigators' and supervisorsy special agent' demographics:

Special InvestigatorSupervisory Special Agent
Average age4444
Gender ratioMale, 63.5% Female, 36.5%Male, 90.5% Female, 9.5%
Race ratioBlack 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 Percentage9%9%

Differences between special investigator and supervisory special agent duties and responsibilities

Special investigator example responsibilities.

  • Gather and analyze pertinent documentation, collect recorded statements, report fraud, and manage data in support of subsequent litigation.
  • Gather and analyze pertinent documentation, collect recorded statements, report fraud, and manage data in support of subsequent litigation.
  • Complete a DMV check to verify applicant identity.
  • Conduct in-depth financial investigations to determine patient's eligibility for Medicaid.
  • Ensure compliance of all plans and documentation by researching employment history, criminal records, civil filings, and DMV records.
  • Use specify techniques to safeguard PII including daily case document check out and bi-weekly case retention manifests.
  • Show more

Supervisory special agent example responsibilities.

  • Manage the development of actionable investigative leads for DoD leadership; senior law enforcement and counterintelligence investigators.
  • Manage, review and coordinate DoD espionage investigations and counterespionage operations.
  • Manage numerous violent street gang investigations resulting in numerous convictions for narcotics and firearms crimes.
  • Conduct joint planning and manage AFOSI's criminal investigations and counterintelligence operations in northern Italy.
  • Identify and resolve jurisdictional issues between the ATF and FBI in order to further collaborative investigation efforts.
  • Supervise the computer forensics and firearms qualification programs.
  • Show more

Special investigator vs supervisory special agent skills

Common special investigator skills
  • Law Enforcement Agencies, 11%
  • Background Checks, 9%
  • Child Abuse, 7%
  • Insurance Claims, 5%
  • SIS, 5%
  • Local Law Enforcement, 4%
Common supervisory special agent skills
  • Law Enforcement Agencies, 18%
  • Fraud Investigations, 7%
  • Criminal Investigations, 7%
  • Violent Crimes, 4%
  • DEA, 4%
  • Domestic Terrorism, 4%

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