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The differences between loss prevention agents and assets protection specialists can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. Additionally, an assets protection specialist has an average salary of $42,374, which is higher than the $36,455 average annual salary of a loss prevention agent.
The top three skills for a loss prevention agent include loss prevention, store management and sales floor. The most important skills for an assets protection specialist are CCTV, physical security, and exception reports.
| Loss Prevention Agent | Assets Protection Specialist | |
| Yearly salary | $36,455 | $42,374 |
| Hourly rate | $17.53 | $20.37 |
| Growth rate | 6% | 3% |
| Number of jobs | 103,534 | 83,267 |
| Job satisfaction | - | - |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 39% | Bachelor's Degree, 42% |
| Average age | 33 | 33 |
| Years of experience | - | - |
A loss prevention agent is responsible for averting theft and securing a retail store or similar establishment. They are primarily in charge of monitoring surveillance cameras and roaming around the premises while dressed in civilian clothing, all to observe the surroundings and spot any suspicious behavior. Furthermore, a loss prevention agent must adhere to the policies and standards of the establishment, implement safety and security measures, and coordinate with the police should there be any person caught stealing.
An assets protection specialist is an individual who is responsible for implementing safety and environmental programs to their assigned store or multiple stores as well as prevent financial loss caused by theft and fraud. Asset protection specialists are required to monitor the store's physical security and audit electronic article surveillance. They also prepare accurate and detailed case reports and interact with law enforcement as well as testify in criminal and civil court actions. Asset protection specialists must also report any hazardous or unsafe condition to the manager on duty.
Loss prevention agents and assets protection specialists have different pay scales, as shown below.
| Loss Prevention Agent | Assets Protection Specialist | |
| Average salary | $36,455 | $42,374 |
| Salary range | Between $21,000 And $62,000 | Between $22,000 And $78,000 |
| Highest paying City | Urban Honolulu, HI | Arlington, VA |
| Highest paying state | Virginia | Hawaii |
| Best paying company | Compliance | Credit Suisse |
| Best paying industry | Retail | Retail |
There are a few differences between a loss prevention agent and an assets protection specialist in terms of educational background:
| Loss Prevention Agent | Assets Protection Specialist | |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 39% | Bachelor's Degree, 42% |
| Most common major | Criminal Justice | Criminal Justice |
| Most common college | California State University - Bakersfield | California State University - Bakersfield |
Here are the differences between loss prevention agents' and assets protection specialists' demographics:
| Loss Prevention Agent | Assets Protection Specialist | |
| Average age | 33 | 33 |
| Gender ratio | Male, 72.8% Female, 27.2% | Male, 77.0% Female, 23.0% |
| Race ratio | Black or African American, 8.4% Unknown, 7.4% Hispanic or Latino, 14.6% Asian, 4.2% White, 65.0% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.4% | Black or African American, 8.3% Unknown, 7.2% Hispanic or Latino, 14.3% Asian, 4.2% White, 65.7% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.4% |
| LGBT Percentage | 7% | 7% |