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Loss prevention associate vs criminal investigator

The differences between loss prevention associates and criminal investigators can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. Additionally, a criminal investigator has an average salary of $54,520, which is higher than the $38,861 average annual salary of a loss prevention associate.

The top three skills for a loss prevention associate include customer service, patrol and safety standards. The most important skills for a criminal investigator are investigative reports, resourcefulness, and firearms.

Loss prevention associate vs criminal investigator overview

Loss Prevention AssociateCriminal Investigator
Yearly salary$38,861$54,520
Hourly rate$18.68$26.21
Growth rate6%3%
Number of jobs82,3135,131
Job satisfaction--
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 36%Bachelor's Degree, 59%
Average age3344
Years of experience--

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.

What does a criminal investigator do?

A criminal investigator is a law enforcement professional who endeavors to solve felony crimes. Criminal investigators may work alone or as a member of an investigative team whose goal is to uncover the certainty of a case and potentially keep suspects to prevent the ensuing criminal activity. Their tasks and responsibilities depend on various job functions and specialties. They may specialize in the information and evidence of a crime scene, conduct interviews and searches, or perform surveillance.

Loss prevention associate vs criminal investigator salary

Loss prevention associates and criminal investigators have different pay scales, as shown below.

Loss Prevention AssociateCriminal Investigator
Average salary$38,861$54,520
Salary rangeBetween $21,000 And $69,000Between $34,000 And $85,000
Highest paying CitySalisbury, MDWashington, DC
Highest paying stateVirginiaCalifornia
Best paying companyAIGNational Railroad Passenger Corporation
Best paying industryUtilitiesGovernment

Differences between loss prevention associate and criminal investigator education

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

Loss Prevention AssociateCriminal Investigator
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 36%Bachelor's Degree, 59%
Most common majorCriminal JusticeCriminal Justice
Most common collegeCalifornia State University - Bakersfield-

Loss prevention associate vs criminal investigator demographics

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

Loss Prevention AssociateCriminal Investigator
Average age3344
Gender ratioMale, 68.7% Female, 31.3%Male, 79.7% Female, 20.3%
Race ratioBlack 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%Black or African American, 11.8% Unknown, 5.0% Hispanic or Latino, 16.9% Asian, 2.8% White, 62.8% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.7%
LGBT Percentage7%9%

Differences between loss prevention associate and criminal investigator duties and responsibilities

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.

Criminal investigator example responsibilities.

  • Conduct joint planning and manage AFOSI's criminal investigations and counterintelligence operations in northern Italy.
  • Close accounts and file SAR's with FinCEN as warranted.
  • Write suspicious activity reports (SAR).
  • Follow up on sub reviews and documentation require information for FinCEN reporting.
  • Coordinate and conduct firearms training.
  • Examine discovery, prepare subpoenas, and review pertinent documents.
    • Show more

Loss prevention associate vs criminal investigator skills

Common loss prevention associate skills
  • Customer Service, 16%
  • Patrol, 13%
  • Safety Standards, 10%
  • Loss Prevention, 10%
  • Safety Inspections, 8%
  • Cash Handling, 7%
Common criminal investigator skills
  • Investigative Reports, 13%
  • Resourcefulness, 11%
  • Firearms, 11%
  • Treasury, 9%
  • Investigative Techniques, 8%
  • IRS, 6%

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Updated January 8, 2025

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