Loss prevention agent vs loss prevention associate

The differences between loss prevention agents and loss prevention associates can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. Additionally, a loss prevention associate has an average salary of $38,861, 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 loss prevention associate are customer service, patrol, and safety standards.

Loss prevention agent vs loss prevention associate overview

	Loss Prevention Agent	Loss Prevention Associate
Yearly salary	$36,455	$38,861
Hourly rate	$17.53	$18.68
Growth rate	6%	6%
Number of jobs	103,534	82,313
Job satisfaction	-	-
Most common degree	Bachelor's Degree, 39%	Bachelor's Degree, 36%
Average age	33	33
Years of experience	-	-

What does a loss prevention agent do?

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.

What does a loss prevention associate do?

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.

Loss prevention agent vs loss prevention associate salary

Loss prevention agents and loss prevention associates have different pay scales, as shown below.

	Loss Prevention Agent	Loss Prevention Associate
Average salary	$36,455	$38,861
Salary range	Between $21,000 And $62,000	Between $21,000 And $69,000
Highest paying City	Urban Honolulu, HI	Salisbury, MD
Highest paying state	Virginia	Virginia
Best paying company	Compliance	AIG
Best paying industry	Retail	Utilities

Differences between loss prevention agent and loss prevention associate education

There are a few differences between a loss prevention agent and a loss prevention associate in terms of educational background:

	Loss Prevention Agent	Loss Prevention Associate
Most common degree	Bachelor's Degree, 39%	Bachelor's Degree, 36%
Most common major	Criminal Justice	Criminal Justice
Most common college	California State University - Bakersfield	California State University - Bakersfield

Loss prevention agent vs loss prevention associate demographics

Here are the differences between loss prevention agents' and loss prevention associates' demographics:

	Loss Prevention Agent	Loss Prevention Associate
Average age	33	33
Gender ratio	Male, 72.8% Female, 27.2%	Male, 68.7% Female, 31.3%
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, 8.5% Unknown, 7.2% Hispanic or Latino, 14.7% Asian, 4.2% White, 65.0% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.4%
LGBT Percentage	7%	7%

Differences between loss prevention agent and loss prevention associate duties and responsibilities

Loss prevention agent example responsibilities.

Manage foreclosure and bankruptcy from inception to completion and mitigate all potential losses within an acceptable range.
Perform camera surveillance and patrol the assigned store and assign location while ensuring to maintain a safe and secure store environment.
Conduct surveillance and counter-surveillance to detect and apprehend shoplifters, and other criminal activity utilizing CCTV.
Patrol assign facility areas to enforce rules and regulations.
Operate and monitor security control and access control devices using CCTV, life/safety alarms and systems alerting the necessary authority.
Protect company's assets by utilizing state-of-the-art detection and investigation surveillance system, which identify shoplifters and prevent loss of merchandise.

Loss prevention associate example responsibilities.

Manage foreclosure and bankruptcy from inception to completion and mitigate all potential losses within an acceptable range.
Greet customers, operate CCTV security monitors and prevent shrinkage of merchandise.
Job duties include the personal detainment and apprehension of retail shoplifters utilizing plain view self-observation and/or CCTV cameras.
Analyze bankruptcy and foreclosure files in order to devise a strategy to minimize loss and maximize financial recovery.
Protect company's assets by utilizing state-of-the-art detection and investigation surveillance system, which identify shoplifters and prevent loss of merchandise.

Loss prevention agent vs loss prevention associate skills

Common loss prevention agent skills

Loss Prevention, 14%
Store Management, 12%
Sales Floor, 10%
CCTV, 10%
Customer Service, 9%
Internal Investigations, 5%

Common loss prevention associate skills

Customer Service, 16%
Patrol, 13%
Safety Standards, 10%
Loss Prevention, 10%
Safety Inspections, 8%
Cash Handling, 7%

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Protective Service Industry
Loss Prevention Agent
Loss Prevention Agent vs Loss Prevention Associate

Updated January 8, 2025

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