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The differences between store detectives and security guards can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. Additionally, a store detective has an average salary of $32,824, which is higher than the $31,983 average annual salary of a security guard.
The top three skills for a store detective include store management, cash handling and CCTV. The most important skills for a security guard are customer service, patrol, and ladders.
| Store Detective | Security Guard | |
| Yearly salary | $32,824 | $31,983 |
| Hourly rate | $15.78 | $15.38 |
| Growth rate | 6% | 3% |
| Number of jobs | 67,322 | 101,728 |
| Job satisfaction | - | 4 |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 38% | High School Diploma, 42% |
| Average age | 44 | 43 |
| Years of experience | 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.
Security guards are responsible for maintaining and ensuring the peace and safety of the building they are assigned to. They ensure that everyone who enters the building has official business to be done in the building. They are also in charge of patrolling and monitoring activities within the area. Security guards are also tasked to immobilize anyone who seems to pose a threat to the peace and safety of the building. They are also responsible for preventing any untoward incidences or crimes that may happen in the area. Security guards must be observant and alert to be able to succeed in their roles.
Store detectives and security guards have different pay scales, as shown below.
| Store Detective | Security Guard | |
| Average salary | $32,824 | $31,983 |
| Salary range | Between $25,000 And $41,000 | Between $25,000 And $40,000 |
| Highest paying City | - | Lakewood, WA |
| Highest paying state | - | Hawaii |
| Best paying company | - | Basin Electric Power Cooperative |
| Best paying industry | - | Utilities |
There are a few differences between a store detective and a security guard in terms of educational background:
| Store Detective | Security Guard | |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 38% | High School Diploma, 42% |
| Most common major | Criminal Justice | Criminal Justice |
| Most common college | California State University - Bakersfield | - |
Here are the differences between store detectives' and security guards' demographics:
| Store Detective | Security Guard | |
| Average age | 44 | 43 |
| Gender ratio | Male, 73.9% Female, 26.1% | Male, 72.0% Female, 28.0% |
| 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, 12.7% Unknown, 5.3% Hispanic or Latino, 21.0% Asian, 5.3% White, 54.0% American Indian and Alaska Native, 1.6% |
| LGBT Percentage | 8% | 6% |