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The differences between store detectives and background investigators can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. It typically takes 4-6 years to become both a store detective and a background investigator. Additionally, a background investigator has an average salary of $51,076, 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 a background investigator are excellent time management, work ethic, and face-to-face interviews.
| Store Detective | Background Investigator | |
| Yearly salary | $32,824 | $51,076 |
| Hourly rate | $15.78 | $24.56 |
| Growth rate | 6% | 6% |
| Number of jobs | 67,322 | 4,428 |
| Job satisfaction | - | - |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 38% | Bachelor's Degree, 64% |
| Average age | 44 | 44 |
| Years of experience | 6 | 6 |
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.
The primary job of background investigators is to conduct background checks into an individual's personal and professional history that can validate or disprove their identity and character. They perform background investigations as part of hiring new employees, making an investment, and choosing a public official. Background investigators are responsible for obtaining and reviewing witness statements and arrest reports and meeting with candidates or the management to keep them updated on the investigation's progress and status. They are also responsible for completing background packages for final review and recommendation.
Store detectives and background investigators have different pay scales, as shown below.
| Store Detective | Background Investigator | |
| Average salary | $32,824 | $51,076 |
| Salary range | Between $25,000 And $41,000 | Between $28,000 And $90,000 |
| Highest paying City | - | - |
| Highest paying state | - | - |
| Best paying company | - | - |
| Best paying industry | - | - |
There are a few differences between a store detective and a background investigator in terms of educational background:
| Store Detective | Background Investigator | |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 38% | Bachelor's Degree, 64% |
| Most common major | Criminal Justice | Criminal Justice |
| Most common college | California State University - Bakersfield | California State University - Bakersfield |
Here are the differences between store detectives' and background investigators' demographics:
| Store Detective | Background Investigator | |
| Average age | 44 | 44 |
| Gender ratio | Male, 73.9% Female, 26.1% | Male, 49.6% Female, 50.4% |
| 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, 15.2% Unknown, 5.8% Hispanic or Latino, 18.8% Asian, 4.6% White, 55.2% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.3% |
| LGBT Percentage | 8% | 8% |