Fraud Examiners, Investigators and Analysts: Career Overview
Obtain evidence, take statements, produce reports, and testify to findings regarding resolution of fraud allegations. May coordinate fraud detection and prevention activities.
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What Tasks Do Fraud Examiners, Investigators and Analysts Take On?
Typical responsibilities of fraud examiners, investigators and analysts include:
- Gather financial documents related to investigations.
- Interview witnesses or suspects and take statements.
- Prepare written reports of investigation findings.
- Document all investigative activities.
- Create and maintain logs, records, or databases of information about fraudulent activity.
- Coordinate investigative efforts with law enforcement officers and attorneys.
- Lead, or participate in, fraud investigation teams.
- Testify in court regarding investigation findings.
What Fraud Examiners, Investigators and Analysts Need to Know
Successful fraud examiners, investigators and analysts rely on a mix of skills and domain knowledge.
Key Skills
The competencies most central to this role, rated on an importance scale of 0 to 5:
Core Knowledge
Related Job Titles
People in this occupation may also be known by titles such as:
- AML Analyst (Anti-Money Laundering Analyst)
- AML Consultant (Anti-Money Laundering Consultant)
- AML Investigator (Anti-Money Laundering Investigator)
- AML Operations Analyst (Anti-Money Laundering Operations Analyst)
- AML Specialist (Anti-Money Laundering Specialist)
- Anti-Fraud Operations Analyst
- BSA Analyst (Bank Secrecy Act Analyst)
- BSA Consultant (Bank Secrecy Act Consultant)
Employment and Demand
There are roughly 476,833 fraud examiners, investigators and analysts working in the United States today. Demand is forecast to decline by -1.2% over the projection horizon.
Fraud Examiners, Investigators and Analysts Pay
| Statistic | Value |
|---|---|
| Annual median | $92,240 |
| Hourly median | $44.35 |
| 10th percentile | $55,407 |
| 25th percentile | $73,823 |
| 75th percentile | $110,656 |
| 90th percentile | $129,073 |
Wages vary widely based on experience, location, and industry.
How Much Do Fraud Examiners, Investigators and Analysts Make in Different U.S. States?
| State | Annual median salary |
|---|---|
| District of Columbia | $123,450 |
| New York | $122,510 |
| Maryland | $102,500 |
| New Jersey | $92,820 |
| Ohio | $90,170 |
| Rhode Island | $88,500 |
| Indiana | $87,760 |
| Colorado | $87,270 |
| West Virginia | $86,940 |
| Massachusetts | $85,950 |
| California | $85,850 |
| Virginia | $85,670 |
| Pennsylvania | $84,700 |
| Maine | $83,780 |
| Minnesota | $82,260 |
| North Carolina | $82,240 |
| Michigan | $81,470 |
| Illinois | $81,190 |
| Delaware | $79,590 |
| Oregon | $79,570 |
| Arizona | $78,910 |
| New Hampshire | $78,650 |
| Alabama | $78,370 |
| Connecticut | $78,000 |
| Utah | $77,940 |
| North Dakota | $77,380 |
| Hawaii | $76,740 |
| Iowa | $75,770 |
| Georgia | $75,760 |
| Missouri | $75,690 |
| Wyoming | $75,580 |
| Washington | $75,560 |
| New Mexico | $75,550 |
| South Carolina | $75,380 |
| Mississippi | $74,960 |
| Alaska | $74,510 |
| Oklahoma | $72,920 |
| Montana | $72,600 |
| Texas | $72,400 |
| Nevada | $71,480 |
| Vermont | $70,460 |
| Idaho | $68,920 |
| Nebraska | $66,580 |
| Tennessee | $65,960 |
| Wisconsin | $63,700 |
| Florida | $63,060 |
| Kentucky | $62,500 |
| Louisiana | $53,360 |
| Kansas | $50,660 |
| Arkansas | $46,380 |
| Puerto Rico | $38,480 |
Top-Paying U.S. Regions
Earnings for fraud examiners, investigators and analysts shift depending on where you work. These regions lead on median pay:
| Region | Median annual wage | Share of U.S. jobs | Location quotient |
|---|---|---|---|
| Middle Atlantic | $103,528 | 19.1% | 1.87 |
| Rocky Mountains | $83,365 | 4.9% | 1.50 |
| New England | $83,287 | 4.5% | 0.98 |
| Far Western US | $83,064 | 16.5% | 1.02 |
| Great Lakes | $82,490 | 13.2% | 1.06 |
| Southwest | $73,062 | 11.6% | 0.99 |
| Plains States | $71,702 | 5.4% | 0.97 |
| Southeast | $71,533 | 24.1% | 1.18 |
Where the Jobs Cluster
| Metro area | State | Median annual wage | Employment |
|---|---|---|---|
| Lexington Park, MD | MD | $129,650 | 730 |
| San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA | CA | $119,060 | 1,250 |
| St. George, UT | UT | $118,950 | 30 |
| Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV | DC | $112,420 | 6,540 |
| New York-Newark-Jersey City, NY-NJ | NY | $108,970 | 8,690 |
| Dayton-Kettering-Beavercreek, OH | OH | $108,200 | 990 |
| San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont, CA | CA | $108,010 | 2,720 |
| Chambersburg, PA | PA | $105,810 | 40 |
Which Industries Hire Fraud Examiners, Investigators and Analysts
The bulk of fraud examiners, investigators and analysts work in these industries:
| Industry | Employment | Median annual wage |
|---|---|---|
| Finance and Insurance | 40,340 | $78,030 |
| Management of Companies and Enterprises | 10,290 | $81,030 |
| Educational Services | 7,640 | $63,750 |
| Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services | 7,510 | $93,690 |
| Health Care and Social Assistance | 7,030 | $64,930 |
| Other Services (except Public Administration) | 5,080 | $52,770 |
| Administrative and Support and Waste Management and Remediation Services | 4,220 | $64,070 |
| Information | 2,700 | $82,900 |
The table below shows some of the most common industries where those employed in this career field work.
Tools and Technology
- Data base user interface and query software: Microsoft Access (hot technology)
- Spreadsheet software: Microsoft Excel (hot technology)
- Office suite software: Microsoft Office software (hot technology)
- Electronic mail software: Microsoft Outlook (hot technology)
- Presentation software: Microsoft PowerPoint (hot technology)
- Document management software: Microsoft SharePoint (hot technology)
- Data base user interface and query software: Microsoft SQL Server (hot technology)
- Process mapping and design software: Microsoft Visio (hot technology)
- Word processing software: Microsoft Word (hot technology)
- Object or component oriented development software: Python (hot technology)
- Object or component oriented development software: R (hot technology)
- Analytical or scientific software: SAS (hot technology)
Work Environment
The on-the-job environment of fraud examiners, investigators and analysts reflects the following characteristics:
- Telephone Conversations
- Importance of Being Exact or Accurate
- Spend Time Sitting
- Work With or Contribute to a Work Group or Team
Education and Training
Typical fraud examiners, investigators and analysts positions require a bachelor’s degree as the typical entry-level education. This career aligns with Considerable Preparation Needed (Job Zone 4), indicating the level of preparation typically expected.
Similar Occupations
Similar Occupations
- Security Managers (Supplemental)
- Compliance Managers (Primary-Short)
- Loss Prevention Managers (Supplemental)
- Claims Adjusters, Examiners, and Investigators (Primary-Long)
- Management Analysts (Supplemental)
- Security Management Specialists (Supplemental)
- Accountants and Auditors (Primary-Long)
- Financial Risk Specialists (Supplemental)
Degree Programs
Aspiring fraud examiners, investigators and analysts typically earn programs in:
Business, Management, Marketing, and Related Support Services
2 programs across 2 majors
Mathematics and Statistics
1 programs across 1 majors
Theology and Religious Vocations
1 programs across 1 majors
Sources
Statistics shown above are sourced from the following authoritative sources:
- U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics — Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) for employment and wage data by state and industry.
- BLS Employment Projections for total employment and growth forecasts.
- O*NET (Occupational Information Network) for skills, knowledge, tasks, work activities, work context, technology, and education-zone data.
SOC code: 13-2099.04 (Financial Specialists, All Other).