Store detective vs loss prevention officer

The differences between store detectives and loss prevention officers can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. Additionally, a loss prevention officer has an average salary of $33,768, 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 officer are patrol, loss prevention, and good judgment.

Store detective vs loss prevention officer overview

	Store Detective	Loss Prevention Officer
Yearly salary	$32,824	$33,768
Hourly rate	$15.78	$16.23
Growth rate	6%	6%
Number of jobs	67,322	106,512
Job satisfaction	-	-
Most common degree	Bachelor's Degree, 38%	High School Diploma, 31%
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 officer do?

A loss prevention officer is a part of a security team who tends to the security of a retail store. Loss prevention officers prevent theft in the store and assist the establishment with theft prevention plans and policies. Typically, they monitor the store's surveillance cameras then walk around for security. They are expected to have a strong will to place themselves in dangerous situations to maintain public safety. It is also their responsibility to determine stock shortages and report missing merchandise.

Store detective vs loss prevention officer salary

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

	Store Detective	Loss Prevention Officer
Average salary	$32,824	$33,768
Salary range	Between $25,000 And $41,000	Between $22,000 And $51,000
Highest paying City	-	Miami, FL
Highest paying state	-	Virginia
Best paying company	-	Southern Healthcare
Best paying industry	-	Hospitality

Differences between store detective and loss prevention officer education

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

	Store Detective	Loss Prevention Officer
Most common degree	Bachelor's Degree, 38%	High School Diploma, 31%
Most common major	Criminal Justice	Criminal Justice
Most common college	California State University - Bakersfield	California State University - Bakersfield

Store detective vs loss prevention officer demographics

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

	Store Detective	Loss Prevention Officer
Average age	44	33
Gender ratio	Male, 73.9% Female, 26.1%	Male, 74.6% Female, 25.4%
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, 8.4% Unknown, 7.2% Hispanic or Latino, 14.5% Asian, 4.2% White, 65.3% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.4%
LGBT Percentage	8%	7%

Differences between store detective and loss prevention officer 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 officer example responsibilities.

Manage foreclosure and bankruptcy from inception to completion and mitigate all potential losses within an acceptable range.
Certify in CPR as well as self-defense training including the use of pepper spray.
Review surveillance footage, POS data, and audio of clients operations for theft and operational deficiencies.
Conduct weekly audits in order to ensure merchandise of a certain dollar amount is properly tag EAS tags.
Conduct store, maintenance, safety, and electronic article surveillance (EAS) audits, and 801E audits.
Prepare documentation and analyze data through exception reporting, POS systems, GL, and various other resources and systems.

Store detective vs loss prevention officer 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 officer skills

Patrol, 20%
Loss Prevention, 11%
Good Judgment, 9%
Emergency Situations, 7%
Relevant Parties, 6%
Incident Reports, 6%

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Protective Service Industry
Store Detective
Store Detective vs Loss Prevention Officer

Updated January 8, 2025

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