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The differences between lead investigators and loss prevention associates can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. Additionally, a lead investigator has an average salary of $60,060, which is higher than the $38,861 average annual salary of a loss prevention associate.
The top three skills for a lead investigator include law enforcement agencies, background investigations and data analysis. The most important skills for a loss prevention associate are customer service, patrol, and safety standards.
| Lead Investigator | Loss Prevention Associate | |
| Yearly salary | $60,060 | $38,861 |
| Hourly rate | $28.88 | $18.68 |
| Growth rate | 6% | 6% |
| Number of jobs | 21,299 | 82,313 |
| Job satisfaction | - | - |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 64% | Bachelor's Degree, 36% |
| Average age | 44 | 33 |
| Years of experience | 6 | - |
Lead investigators are responsible for gathering information from both eyewitnesses and suspects. They have to untangle the crime scene for possible clues like DNA, fingerprints, physical evidence, and more. They document the scene by taking photos or by using Leica scanners to capture every detail of the crime scene. Also, they take evidence, processed them, preserve records, and then present the evidence to courts. Additionally, they, at times, procure supplies and items essential for an investigation like identifications apparatus. Lead investigators must know the state, federal, and local laws regarding police operations, investigative procedures as well as evidence safekeeping and demolition.
A loss prevention associate is responsible for monitoring the organization's daily operations, maintaining the safety and security of all network systems to avoid data theft. Loss prevention associates take immediate actions on all related suspicious activities that would compromise the company's reputation and financial status. They regularly check surveillance technologies to maintain asset protection and operational stability at all times. A loss prevention associate should have excellent communication skills, both written and oral, especially on writing incident reports and escalating unusual activities to the management for immediate resolution.
Lead investigators and loss prevention associates have different pay scales, as shown below.
| Lead Investigator | Loss Prevention Associate | |
| Average salary | $60,060 | $38,861 |
| Salary range | Between $31,000 And $113,000 | Between $21,000 And $69,000 |
| Highest paying City | South San Francisco, CA | Salisbury, MD |
| Highest paying state | Delaware | Virginia |
| Best paying company | BNY Mellon | AIG |
| Best paying industry | Pharmaceutical | Utilities |
There are a few differences between a lead investigator and a loss prevention associate in terms of educational background:
| Lead Investigator | Loss Prevention Associate | |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 64% | Bachelor's Degree, 36% |
| Most common major | Criminal Justice | Criminal Justice |
| Most common college | California State University - Bakersfield | California State University - Bakersfield |
Here are the differences between lead investigators' and loss prevention associates' demographics:
| Lead Investigator | Loss Prevention Associate | |
| Average age | 44 | 33 |
| Gender ratio | Male, 68.6% Female, 31.4% | Male, 68.7% Female, 31.3% |
| Race ratio | Black or African American, 13.2% Unknown, 5.8% Hispanic or Latino, 18.2% Asian, 4.6% White, 57.9% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.3% | Black or African American, 8.5% Unknown, 7.2% Hispanic or Latino, 14.7% Asian, 4.2% White, 65.0% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.4% |
| LGBT Percentage | 8% | 7% |