Investigator vs store detective

The differences between investigators and store detectives can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. It typically takes 4-6 years to become both an investigator and a store detective. Additionally, an investigator has an average salary of $71,406, which is higher than the $32,824 average annual salary of a store detective.

The top three skills for an investigator include law enforcement agencies, management system and customer service. The most important skills for a store detective are store management, cash handling, and CCTV.

Investigator vs store detective overview

	Investigator	Store Detective
Yearly salary	$71,406	$32,824
Hourly rate	$34.33	$15.78
Growth rate	6%	6%
Number of jobs	5,085	67,322
Job satisfaction	-	-
Most common degree	Bachelor's Degree, 62%	Bachelor's Degree, 38%
Average age	44	44
Years of experience	6	6

What does an investigator do?

Criminal investigators play an essential role in criminal justice and law enforcement. Their job entails solving open cases that may take them weeks or even months to accomplish. Collecting evidence, interviewing witnesses, and arresting suspects are among their many tasks. They work at every level of criminal justice and law enforcement. For criminal investigators to succeed in their profession, they should have sound judgment, strong communication skills, ethical standards, physical fitness, and empathy. They also benefit from strong job prospects, in addition to an exciting and rewarding job.

What does a store detective do?

Store detectives are security professionals who are hired by store or business owners to prevent the act of shoplifting. These detectives must conduct surveillance through CCTV to apprehend shoplifters and dishonest employees who committed theft within the store. They must work closely with local law enforcement and store management to prevent retail theft as well as report those offenders. Security detectives must also monitor employee and public activity by implementing a theft prevention system to protect company assets.

Investigator vs store detective salary

Investigators and store detectives have different pay scales, as shown below.

	Investigator	Store Detective
Average salary	$71,406	$32,824
Salary range	Between $42,000 And $119,000	Between $25,000 And $41,000
Highest paying City	San Francisco, CA	-
Highest paying state	California	-
Best paying company	Apple	-
Best paying industry	-	-

Differences between investigator and store detective education

There are a few differences between an investigator and a store detective in terms of educational background:

	Investigator	Store Detective
Most common degree	Bachelor's Degree, 62%	Bachelor's Degree, 38%
Most common major	Criminal Justice	Criminal Justice
Most common college	California State University - Bakersfield	California State University - Bakersfield

Investigator vs store detective demographics

Here are the differences between investigators' and store detectives' demographics:

	Investigator	Store Detective
Average age	44	44
Gender ratio	Male, 56.6% Female, 43.4%	Male, 73.9% Female, 26.1%
Race ratio	Black or African American, 13.5% Unknown, 5.8% Hispanic or Latino, 19.2% Asian, 4.7% White, 56.5% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.3%	Black or African American, 13.8% Unknown, 5.6% Hispanic or Latino, 18.0% Asian, 4.7% White, 57.7% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.3%
LGBT Percentage	8%	8%

Differences between investigator and store detective duties and responsibilities

Investigator example responsibilities.

Participate in and lead the controlled purchase of illegal narcotics and firearms to apprehend suspects.
Manage all business reporting to include; payroll, taxes, client billing, account reconciliations and compliance reports.
Manage corporate-wide document production relative to complex litigation cases.
Receive multiple letters of commendation for effective investigations that lead to successful prosecutions.
Collaborate with federal agencies, including the FBI, DEA, ATF and IRS.
Write a detail case report, and attach all supporting documentation necessary to write up SAR's where necessary per BSA.

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Store detective example responsibilities.

Manage foreclosure and bankruptcy from inception to completion and mitigate all potential losses within an acceptable range.
Patrol and secure perimeter of the facility and grounds.
Keep vigilant patrol over the store's sales areas to ensure a safe shopping experience for customers.
Conduct daily surveillance using CCTV system and undercover observation.
Initiate and conduct investigations concerning illegal narcotics and firearms trafficking and perform official duty as an undercover operative during those investigations.
Conduct safety and EAS audits.

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Investigator vs store detective skills

Common investigator skills

Law Enforcement Agencies, 7%
Management System, 6%
Customer Service, 5%
Criminal Justice, 5%
Senior Level Management, 4%
Child Abuse, 4%

Common store detective skills

Store Management, 25%
Cash Handling, 21%
CCTV, 19%
Sales Floor, 8%
Law Enforcement Officials, 5%
Financial Crimes, 4%

Investigator vs. similar jobs

Investigator related careers

Investigator related jobs

Investigator jobs by location

Updated January 8, 2025

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