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The differences between loss prevention agents and law enforcement officers can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. Additionally, a law enforcement officer has an average salary of $39,219, 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 law enforcement officer are patrol, public safety, and emergency situations.
| Loss Prevention Agent | Law Enforcement Officer | |
| Yearly salary | $36,455 | $39,219 |
| Hourly rate | $17.53 | $18.86 |
| Growth rate | 6% | 3% |
| Number of jobs | 103,534 | 105,817 |
| Job satisfaction | - | 4 |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 39% | Bachelor's Degree, 47% |
| 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 duties of a law enforcement officer depend on their line of work or agency of employment. In general, they are responsible for enforcing laws and regulations, prioritizing the safety of citizens and the protection of the city. Typically, their responsibilities include patrolling their designated area, responding to distress, monitoring suspicious activities and characters, conducting investigations and inspections, and coordinating various services to assist citizens. Moreover, as a law enforcement officer, it is essential to serve as a role model for citizens and uphold the oath to serve and protect.
Loss prevention agents and law enforcement officers have different pay scales, as shown below.
| Loss Prevention Agent | Law Enforcement Officer | |
| Average salary | $36,455 | $39,219 |
| Salary range | Between $21,000 And $62,000 | Between $30,000 And $50,000 |
| Highest paying City | Urban Honolulu, HI | Seattle, WA |
| Highest paying state | Virginia | Washington |
| Best paying company | Compliance | University of Nebraska System |
| Best paying industry | Retail | Government |
There are a few differences between a loss prevention agent and a law enforcement officer in terms of educational background:
| Loss Prevention Agent | Law Enforcement Officer | |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 39% | Bachelor's Degree, 47% |
| Most common major | Criminal Justice | Criminal Justice |
| Most common college | California State University - Bakersfield | Pennsylvania State University |
Here are the differences between loss prevention agents' and law enforcement officers' demographics:
| Loss Prevention Agent | Law Enforcement Officer | |
| Average age | 33 | 40 |
| Gender ratio | Male, 72.8% Female, 27.2% | Male, 80.3% Female, 19.7% |
| 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, 13.3% Unknown, 4.7% Hispanic or Latino, 18.2% Asian, 3.1% White, 59.6% American Indian and Alaska Native, 1.0% |
| LGBT Percentage | 7% | 7% |