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The differences between detention officers and loss prevention analysts can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. Additionally, a detention officer has an average salary of $40,087, which is higher than the $38,684 average annual salary of a loss prevention analyst.
The top three skills for a detention officer include detention facility, direct supervision and booking. The most important skills for a loss prevention analyst are loss prevention, customer service, and camera surveillance.
| Detention Officer | Loss Prevention Analyst | |
| Yearly salary | $40,087 | $38,684 |
| Hourly rate | $19.27 | $18.60 |
| Growth rate | -10% | 6% |
| Number of jobs | 116,529 | 62,658 |
| Job satisfaction | - | - |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 37% | Bachelor's Degree, 39% |
| Average age | 40 | 33 |
| Years of experience | - | - |
The role of detention officers is to supervise inmates in state detention facilities. They are responsible for ensuring the safe imprisonment of detainees, managing conflict between detainees, and reporting inappropriate behavior to the warden. Other responsibilities include providing inmates the opportunity to call a lawyer or a relative, performing periodic patrol of the jail area, and supervising inmates during meals and related activities. They are also responsible for ensuring the cleanliness of personal and cell equipment and distributing medicines to inmates as directed.
A loss prevention analyst designs and develops loss prevention programs, typically for retail establishments. They are in charge of providing analytical services primarily to avoid or resolve cases of theft and fraud. Among their responsibilities include gathering and analyzing financial and inventory data, inspecting alarm systems and protocols, performing research and analysis to identify the best practices, determining the strengths and weaknesses of current loss prevention techniques, and implementing solutions against vulnerable areas. Furthermore, a loss prevention analyst must maintain an active communication line with managers and loss prevention officers for a smooth and efficient workflow.
Detention officers and loss prevention analysts have different pay scales, as shown below.
| Detention Officer | Loss Prevention Analyst | |
| Average salary | $40,087 | $38,684 |
| Salary range | Between $29,000 And $54,000 | Between $21,000 And $68,000 |
| Highest paying City | San Francisco, CA | Urban Honolulu, HI |
| Highest paying state | Hawaii | Hawaii |
| Best paying company | Bering Straits | Barclays |
| Best paying industry | Insurance | Finance |
There are a few differences between a detention officer and a loss prevention analyst in terms of educational background:
| Detention Officer | Loss Prevention Analyst | |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 37% | Bachelor's Degree, 39% |
| Most common major | Criminal Justice | Criminal Justice |
| Most common college | - | California State University - Bakersfield |
Here are the differences between detention officers' and loss prevention analysts' demographics:
| Detention Officer | Loss Prevention Analyst | |
| Average age | 40 | 33 |
| Gender ratio | Male, 61.0% Female, 39.0% | Male, 67.7% Female, 32.3% |
| Race ratio | Black or African American, 15.8% Unknown, 5.3% Hispanic or Latino, 19.4% Asian, 2.0% White, 56.6% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.9% | Black or African American, 8.3% Unknown, 7.3% Hispanic or Latino, 14.3% Asian, 4.2% White, 65.6% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.4% |
| LGBT Percentage | 6% | 7% |