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The differences between loss prevention agents and patrol officers can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. Additionally, a loss prevention agent has an average salary of $36,455, which is higher than the $35,621 average annual salary of a patrol officer.
The top three skills for a loss prevention agent include loss prevention, store management and sales floor. The most important skills for a patrol officer are patrol, customer service, and public safety.
| Loss Prevention Agent | Patrol Officer | |
| Yearly salary | $36,455 | $35,621 |
| Hourly rate | $17.53 | $17.13 |
| Growth rate | 6% | 3% |
| Number of jobs | 103,534 | 123,265 |
| Job satisfaction | - | - |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 39% | Bachelor's Degree, 43% |
| 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 job of patrol officers is to enforce ordinances, laws, prevent crime, control crowds, arrest violators, and regulate traffic. They also perform other duties that may include monitoring an assigned area for unauthorized or suspicious activity, responding to reports of emergencies and possible crime such as robberies, and building good relationships with community members. To be a successful patrol officer, you should have solid judgment, excellent communication skills, and decision-making skills in stressful situations.
Loss prevention agents and patrol officers have different pay scales, as shown below.
| Loss Prevention Agent | Patrol Officer | |
| Average salary | $36,455 | $35,621 |
| Salary range | Between $21,000 And $62,000 | Between $27,000 And $46,000 |
| Highest paying City | Urban Honolulu, HI | Seattle, WA |
| Highest paying state | Virginia | North Dakota |
| Best paying company | Compliance | Mount St. Mary's University |
| Best paying industry | Retail | Government |
There are a few differences between a loss prevention agent and a patrol officer in terms of educational background:
| Loss Prevention Agent | Patrol Officer | |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 39% | Bachelor's Degree, 43% |
| Most common major | Criminal Justice | Criminal Justice |
| Most common college | California State University - Bakersfield | California State University - Long Beach |
Here are the differences between loss prevention agents' and patrol officers' demographics:
| Loss Prevention Agent | Patrol Officer | |
| Average age | 33 | 40 |
| Gender ratio | Male, 72.8% Female, 27.2% | Male, 82.9% Female, 17.1% |
| 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, 12.5% Unknown, 4.6% Hispanic or Latino, 18.5% Asian, 3.5% White, 59.8% American Indian and Alaska Native, 1.0% |
| LGBT Percentage | 7% | 7% |