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Store detective vs licensed private investigator

The differences between store detectives and licensed private 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 licensed private investigator. Additionally, a licensed private investigator has an average salary of $47,204, 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 licensed private investigator are background checks, child abuse, and insurance fraud.

Store detective vs licensed private investigator overview

Store DetectiveLicensed Private Investigator
Yearly salary$32,824$47,204
Hourly rate$15.78$22.69
Growth rate6%6%
Number of jobs67,32216,954
Job satisfaction--
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 38%Bachelor's Degree, 55%
Average age4444
Years of experience66

Store detective vs licensed private investigator salary

Store detectives and licensed private investigators have different pay scales, as shown below.

Store DetectiveLicensed Private Investigator
Average salary$32,824$47,204
Salary rangeBetween $25,000 And $41,000Between $30,000 And $74,000
Highest paying City--
Highest paying state--
Best paying company--
Best paying industry--

Differences between store detective and licensed private investigator education

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

Store DetectiveLicensed Private Investigator
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 38%Bachelor's Degree, 55%
Most common majorCriminal JusticeCriminal Justice
Most common collegeCalifornia State University - BakersfieldCalifornia State University - Bakersfield

Store detective vs licensed private investigator demographics

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

Store DetectiveLicensed Private Investigator
Average age4444
Gender ratioMale, 73.9% Female, 26.1%Male, 66.2% Female, 33.8%
Race ratioBlack 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, 13.6% Unknown, 5.7% Hispanic or Latino, 19.6% Asian, 4.7% White, 56.1% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.3%
LGBT Percentage8%8%

Differences between store detective and licensed private investigator 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.
  • Show more

Licensed private investigator example responsibilities.

  • Manage and dispose of claims in litigation by preparing and developing strategy with defense counsel and consensus relative to litigation handling.
  • Deliver subpoenas, interview witnesses and clients, write reports, some surveillance experience.
  • Serve subpoenas and legal documents, supervise special events to include short and long term security operations.
  • Create quality control documentation associate with manufacturing process, raw materials and quality testing procedures according to corporate and FDA guidelines.
  • Identify and accurately report extremely time sensitive and confidential data in accordance with HIPPA guidelines.

Store detective vs licensed private investigator skills

Common store detective skills
  • Store Management, 25%
  • Cash Handling, 21%
  • CCTV, 19%
  • Sales Floor, 8%
  • Law Enforcement Officials, 5%
  • Financial Crimes, 4%
Common licensed private investigator skills
  • Background Checks, 11%
  • Child Abuse, 10%
  • Insurance Fraud, 9%
  • Background Investigations, 8%
  • Minimum Standards, 8%
  • Administrative Hearings, 6%

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