Store detective vs assets protection specialist

The differences between store detectives and assets protection specialists can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. Additionally, an assets protection specialist has an average salary of $42,374, which is higher than the $32,824 average annual salary of a store detective.

The top three skills for a store detective include store management, cash handling and CCTV. The most important skills for an assets protection specialist are CCTV, physical security, and exception reports.

Store detective vs assets protection specialist overview

	Store Detective	Assets Protection Specialist
Yearly salary	$32,824	$42,374
Hourly rate	$15.78	$20.37
Growth rate	6%	3%
Number of jobs	67,322	83,267
Job satisfaction	-	-
Most common degree	Bachelor's Degree, 38%	Bachelor's Degree, 42%
Average age	44	33
Years of experience	6	-

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.

What does an assets protection specialist do?

An assets protection specialist is an individual who is responsible for implementing safety and environmental programs to their assigned store or multiple stores as well as prevent financial loss caused by theft and fraud. Asset protection specialists are required to monitor the store's physical security and audit electronic article surveillance. They also prepare accurate and detailed case reports and interact with law enforcement as well as testify in criminal and civil court actions. Asset protection specialists must also report any hazardous or unsafe condition to the manager on duty.

Store detective vs assets protection specialist salary

Store detectives and assets protection specialists have different pay scales, as shown below.

	Store Detective	Assets Protection Specialist
Average salary	$32,824	$42,374
Salary range	Between $25,000 And $41,000	Between $22,000 And $78,000
Highest paying City	-	Arlington, VA
Highest paying state	-	Hawaii
Best paying company	-	Credit Suisse
Best paying industry	-	Retail

Differences between store detective and assets protection specialist education

There are a few differences between a store detective and an assets protection specialist in terms of educational background:

	Store Detective	Assets Protection Specialist
Most common degree	Bachelor's Degree, 38%	Bachelor's Degree, 42%
Most common major	Criminal Justice	Criminal Justice
Most common college	California State University - Bakersfield	California State University - Bakersfield

Store detective vs assets protection specialist demographics

Here are the differences between store detectives' and assets protection specialists' demographics:

	Store Detective	Assets Protection Specialist
Average age	44	33
Gender ratio	Male, 73.9% Female, 26.1%	Male, 77.0% Female, 23.0%
Race ratio	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%	Black or African American, 8.3% Unknown, 7.2% Hispanic or Latino, 14.3% Asian, 4.2% White, 65.7% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.4%
LGBT Percentage	8%	7%

Differences between store detective and assets protection specialist duties and responsibilities

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.

Assets protection specialist example responsibilities.

Manage safety and hazmat procedures.
Manage foreclosure and bankruptcy from inception to completion and mitigate all potential losses within an acceptable range.
Assist with maintaining sales floor and backroom safe and clean for employees, vendors, and guests following OSHA guidelines.
Provide plain clothes physical security in local area stores-Install and operate CCTV cameras in store.-Conduct internal/external investigations to prevent loss.
Respond to traffic accidents involving DOD personnel.
Apprehend individuals relate to crimes against Meijer.

Store detective vs assets protection specialist skills

Common store detective skills

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

Common assets protection specialist skills

CCTV, 26%
Physical Security, 20%
Exception Reports, 6%
Criminal Justice, 5%
POS, 4%
Electronic Article Surveillance, 3%

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Protective Service Industry
Store Detective
Store Detective vs Assets Protection Specialist

Updated January 8, 2025

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