Private investigator vs store detective

The differences between private investigators and store detectives can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. It typically takes 4-6 years to become both a private investigator and a store detective. Additionally, a private investigator has an average salary of $48,019, which is higher than the $32,824 average annual salary of a store detective.

The top three skills for a private investigator include background checks, background investigations and video surveillance. The most important skills for a store detective are store management, cash handling, and CCTV.

Private investigator vs store detective overview

	Private Investigator	Store Detective
Yearly salary	$48,019	$32,824
Hourly rate	$23.09	$15.78
Growth rate	6%	6%
Number of jobs	6,675	67,322
Job satisfaction	-	-
Most common degree	Bachelor's Degree, 54%	Bachelor's Degree, 38%
Average age	44	44
Years of experience	6	6

What does a private investigator do?

Private investigators will require skills in surveillance, research, interviewing, critical thinking, and communication. Those who choose this career path will be called on to find information for organizations and individuals, as well as engage in different cases. An investigator's goal is to find legal, personal, or financial information through background checks, interviews, and surveillance.

What does a store detective do?

Store detectives are security professionals who are hired by store or business owners to prevent the act of shoplifting. These detectives must conduct surveillance through CCTV to apprehend shoplifters and dishonest employees who committed theft within the store. They must work closely with local law enforcement and store management to prevent retail theft as well as report those offenders. Security detectives must also monitor employee and public activity by implementing a theft prevention system to protect company assets.

Private investigator vs store detective salary

Private investigators and store detectives have different pay scales, as shown below.

	Private Investigator	Store Detective
Average salary	$48,019	$32,824
Salary range	Between $29,000 And $78,000	Between $25,000 And $41,000
Highest paying City	-	-
Highest paying state	-	-
Best paying company	-	-
Best paying industry	-	-

Differences between private investigator and store detective education

There are a few differences between a private investigator and a store detective in terms of educational background:

	Private Investigator	Store Detective
Most common degree	Bachelor's Degree, 54%	Bachelor's Degree, 38%
Most common major	Criminal Justice	Criminal Justice
Most common college	University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill	California State University - Bakersfield

Private investigator vs store detective demographics

Here are the differences between private investigators' and store detectives' demographics:

	Private Investigator	Store Detective
Average age	44	44
Gender ratio	Male, 73.1% Female, 26.9%	Male, 73.9% Female, 26.1%
Race ratio	Black or African American, 13.2% Unknown, 5.6% Hispanic or Latino, 18.9% Asian, 4.6% White, 57.5% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.3%	Black or African American, 13.8% Unknown, 5.6% Hispanic or Latino, 18.0% Asian, 4.7% White, 57.7% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.3%
LGBT Percentage	8%	8%

Differences between private investigator and store detective duties and responsibilities

Private investigator example responsibilities.

Manage all business reporting to include; payroll, taxes, client billing, account reconciliations and compliance reports.
Take ownership of the queue and promptly escalate any issues or obstacles to completing daily SAR filings
Conduct SIU, fraud, criminal, civil, and exploratory investigations as defined in client contracts.
Conduct different types of SIU investigations as well as civil, criminal, and asset background courthouse checks.
Serve subpoenas, coordinate witness court appearances, compile information from interviews, and developed/maintain community and informant contacts.
Create quality control documentation associate with manufacturing process, raw materials and quality testing procedures according to corporate and FDA guidelines.

Store detective example responsibilities.

Manage foreclosure and bankruptcy from inception to completion and mitigate all potential losses within an acceptable range.
Patrol and secure perimeter of the facility and grounds.
Keep vigilant patrol over the store's sales areas to ensure a safe shopping experience for customers.
Conduct daily surveillance using CCTV system and undercover observation.
Initiate and conduct investigations concerning illegal narcotics and firearms trafficking and perform official duty as an undercover operative during those investigations.
Conduct safety and EAS audits.

Private investigator vs store detective skills

Common private investigator skills

Background Checks, 15%
Background Investigations, 12%
Video Surveillance, 12%
Subpoenas, 5%
Law Enforcement Agencies, 5%
Computer Database, 4%

Common store detective skills

Store Management, 25%
Cash Handling, 21%
CCTV, 19%
Sales Floor, 8%
Law Enforcement Officials, 5%
Financial Crimes, 4%

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Private Investigator
Private Investigator vs Store Detective

Updated January 8, 2025

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