Store detective vs loss prevention associate

The differences between store detectives and loss prevention associates can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. Additionally, a loss prevention associate has an average salary of $38,861, 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 loss prevention associate are customer service, patrol, and safety standards.

Store detective vs loss prevention associate overview

	Store Detective	Loss Prevention Associate
Yearly salary	$32,824	$38,861
Hourly rate	$15.78	$18.68
Growth rate	6%	6%
Number of jobs	67,322	82,313
Job satisfaction	-	-
Most common degree	Bachelor's Degree, 38%	Bachelor's Degree, 36%
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 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.

Store detective vs loss prevention associate salary

Store detectives and loss prevention associates have different pay scales, as shown below.

	Store Detective	Loss Prevention Associate
Average salary	$32,824	$38,861
Salary range	Between $25,000 And $41,000	Between $21,000 And $69,000
Highest paying City	-	Salisbury, MD
Highest paying state	-	Virginia
Best paying company	-	AIG
Best paying industry	-	Utilities

Differences between store detective and loss prevention associate education

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

	Store Detective	Loss Prevention Associate
Most common degree	Bachelor's Degree, 38%	Bachelor's Degree, 36%
Most common major	Criminal Justice	Criminal Justice
Most common college	California State University - Bakersfield	California State University - Bakersfield

Store detective vs loss prevention associate demographics

Here are the differences between store detectives' and loss prevention associates' demographics:

	Store Detective	Loss Prevention Associate
Average age	44	33
Gender ratio	Male, 73.9% Female, 26.1%	Male, 68.7% Female, 31.3%
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, 8.5% Unknown, 7.2% Hispanic or Latino, 14.7% Asian, 4.2% White, 65.0% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.4%
LGBT Percentage	8%	7%

Differences between store detective and loss prevention associate 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.

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.

Store detective vs loss prevention associate skills

Common store detective skills

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

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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Protective Service Industry
Store Detective
Store Detective vs Loss Prevention Associate

Updated January 8, 2025

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