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The differences between loss prevention agents and detention officers 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 $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 a detention officer are detention facility, direct supervision, and booking.
| Loss Prevention Agent | Detention Officer | |
| Yearly salary | $36,455 | $40,087 |
| Hourly rate | $17.53 | $19.27 |
| Growth rate | 6% | -10% |
| Number of jobs | 103,534 | 116,529 |
| Job satisfaction | - | - |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 39% | Bachelor's Degree, 37% |
| Average age | 33 | 40 |
| 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.
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.
Loss prevention agents and detention officers have different pay scales, as shown below.
| Loss Prevention Agent | Detention Officer | |
| Average salary | $36,455 | $40,087 |
| Salary range | Between $21,000 And $62,000 | Between $29,000 And $54,000 |
| Highest paying City | Urban Honolulu, HI | San Francisco, CA |
| Highest paying state | Virginia | Hawaii |
| Best paying company | Compliance | Bering Straits |
| Best paying industry | Retail | Insurance |
There are a few differences between a loss prevention agent and a detention officer in terms of educational background:
| Loss Prevention Agent | Detention Officer | |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 39% | Bachelor's Degree, 37% |
| Most common major | Criminal Justice | Criminal Justice |
| Most common college | California State University - Bakersfield | - |
Here are the differences between loss prevention agents' and detention officers' demographics:
| Loss Prevention Agent | Detention Officer | |
| Average age | 33 | 40 |
| Gender ratio | Male, 72.8% Female, 27.2% | Male, 61.0% Female, 39.0% |
| 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, 15.8% Unknown, 5.3% Hispanic or Latino, 19.4% Asian, 2.0% White, 56.6% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.9% |
| LGBT Percentage | 7% | 6% |