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The differences between loss prevention specialists and security assistants can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. Additionally, a loss prevention specialist has an average salary of $47,451, which is higher than the $38,261 average annual salary of a security assistant.
The top three skills for a loss prevention specialist include customer service, safety program and store management. The most important skills for a security assistant are customer service, security clearance, and patrol.
| Loss Prevention Specialist | Security Assistant | |
| Yearly salary | $47,451 | $38,261 |
| Hourly rate | $22.81 | $18.39 |
| Growth rate | 6% | 3% |
| Number of jobs | 59,094 | 102,858 |
| Job satisfaction | - | - |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 46% | Bachelor's Degree, 50% |
| Average age | 49 | 43 |
| Years of experience | 4 | - |
A loss prevention specialist is responsible for maintaining the safety and security of the store premises from shoplifters and even from employees' suspicious activities. Loss prevention specialists manage the installation of surveillance devices, monitor the daily store operations, and track business and financial transactions from the database. They also coordinate with law enforcement personnel for investigation on theft cases and other related retail complications. A loss prevention specialist must have excellent communication and critical-thinking skills, especially on preparing incident reports and apprehending violators.
A security assistant is in charge of performing support tasks in a company or establishment's security department. Their responsibilities typically include monitoring alarm systems and surveillance cameras, organizing equipment such as radios and flashlights, keeping an eye on the inventory of supplies, and liaising with external and internal parties. They may also perform clerical tasks such as preparing and processing documentation, arranging requests, answering calls and correspondence, maintaining records of transactions, and handling paperwork. There are also instances where they must assist clients and employees, adhering to protocols as needed.
Loss prevention specialists and security assistants have different pay scales, as shown below.
| Loss Prevention Specialist | Security Assistant | |
| Average salary | $47,451 | $38,261 |
| Salary range | Between $25,000 And $87,000 | Between $24,000 And $59,000 |
| Highest paying City | San Francisco, CA | Washington, DC |
| Highest paying state | Hawaii | Alaska |
| Best paying company | Booz Allen Hamilton | Inter-Con Security Systems |
| Best paying industry | Automotive | Government |
There are a few differences between a loss prevention specialist and a security assistant in terms of educational background:
| Loss Prevention Specialist | Security Assistant | |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 46% | Bachelor's Degree, 50% |
| Most common major | Criminal Justice | Criminal Justice |
| Most common college | California State University - Bakersfield | - |
Here are the differences between loss prevention specialists' and security assistants' demographics:
| Loss Prevention Specialist | Security Assistant | |
| Average age | 49 | 43 |
| Gender ratio | Male, 72.0% Female, 28.0% | Male, 56.4% Female, 43.6% |
| Race ratio | Black or African American, 5.9% Unknown, 7.3% Hispanic or Latino, 11.9% Asian, 1.2% White, 71.9% American Indian and Alaska Native, 1.8% | Black or African American, 15.6% Unknown, 5.3% Hispanic or Latino, 18.4% Asian, 6.1% White, 52.9% American Indian and Alaska Native, 1.6% |
| LGBT Percentage | 18% | 6% |