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Special agent vs loss prevention associate

The differences between special agents and loss prevention associates can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. Additionally, a special agent has an average salary of $60,916, which is higher than the $38,861 average annual salary of a loss prevention associate.

The top three skills for a special agent include professional work, national security and local law enforcement. The most important skills for a loss prevention associate are customer service, patrol, and safety standards.

Special agent vs loss prevention associate overview

Special AgentLoss Prevention Associate
Yearly salary$60,916$38,861
Hourly rate$29.29$18.68
Growth rate3%6%
Number of jobs46,23282,313
Job satisfaction--
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 68%Bachelor's Degree, 36%
Average age4433
Years of experience2-

What does a special agent do?

A special agent is responsible for investigating law violations and criminal activities by collecting pieces of evidence, including witnesses' testimonies, to release a warrant of arrest and initiate prosecution. Special agents work closely with other law enforcement agencies to identify threats, analyze occurring criminal activities, and connect intelligence records through observation and field investigations. They also attend court proceedings to present evidence for court decisions. A special agent must have excellent communication and critical-thinking skills, assessing unusual situations, and handling suspicious activities.

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.

Special agent vs loss prevention associate salary

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

Special AgentLoss Prevention Associate
Average salary$60,916$38,861
Salary rangeBetween $43,000 And $85,000Between $21,000 And $69,000
Highest paying CityWashington, DCSalisbury, MD
Highest paying stateHawaiiVirginia
Best paying companyBNSF RailwayAIG
Best paying industry-Utilities

Differences between special agent and loss prevention associate education

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

Special AgentLoss Prevention Associate
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 68%Bachelor's Degree, 36%
Most common majorCriminal JusticeCriminal Justice
Most common college-California State University - Bakersfield

Special agent vs loss prevention associate demographics

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

Special AgentLoss Prevention Associate
Average age4433
Gender ratioMale, 83.1% Female, 16.9%Male, 68.7% Female, 31.3%
Race ratioBlack or African American, 11.8% Unknown, 5.0% Hispanic or Latino, 16.8% Asian, 2.8% White, 63.0% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.7%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 Percentage9%7%

Differences between special agent and loss prevention associate duties and responsibilities

Special agent example responsibilities.

  • Manage a team of field supervisors on a project to modernize and improve the ATF system of office inspection.
  • Conduct joint planning and manage AFOSI's criminal investigations and counterintelligence operations in northern Italy.
  • Follow up on tips receive from a variety of sources, including patrol officers, community members, and confidential informants.
  • Conduct detailed and precise SIU investigations involving insurance fraud.
  • Authore products highly praise by senior FBI and DOJ officials.
  • Interview witnesses, gather evidence and prepare cases for litigation.
  • Show more

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.

Special agent vs loss prevention associate skills

Common special agent skills
  • Professional Work, 73%
  • National Security, 8%
  • Local Law Enforcement, 5%
  • Search Warrants, 2%
  • Law Enforcement Agencies, 2%
  • Counterintelligence Investigations, 1%
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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