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What is a store protection specialist and how to become one

Updated January 8, 2025
3 min read
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Store protection specialists maintain a safe and secure environment for associates and customers. They are responsible for preventing financial loss caused by theft and fraud. They ensure that the stores they work for comply with the state and federal regulations related to the line of work. Store protection specialists earn an average salary of $43,000 annually or $20 per hour.

Store protection specialists primarily keep the stores safe and secure by utilizing tools to minimize loss to the company by performing some duties that include reviewing CCTV and inspection reports, identifying theft and fraud incidents, interacting with law enforcement, and testifying in criminal, civil court actions. They also report any hazardous or unsafe condition to the manager on duty and endeavor to minimize the risk of injury to themselves, customers, and the company.

Store protection specialists typically have a high school diploma or equivalent, but some employers prefer an associate's degree. Gaining some years of retail supervisor experience or similar training may prove advantageous in the long run.

ScoreStore Protection SpecialistUS Average
Salary
2.7

Avg. Salary $35,100

Avg. Salary $59,228

Stability level
8.6

Growth rate 3%

Growth rate 0.3%

Diversity
10.0
Race

American Indian and Alaska Native 1.59%

Asian 5.01%

Black or African American 14.13%

Hispanic or Latino 25.59%

Unknown 5.32%

White 48.35%

Gender

female 32.21%

male 67.79%

Age - 43
Race

American Indian and Alaska Native 3.00%

Asian 7.00%

Black or African American 14.00%

Hispanic or Latino 19.00%

White 57.00%

Gender

female 47.00%

male 53.00%

Age - 43
Stress level
8.6

Stress level is very high

7.1 - high

Complexity level
4.9

Complexity level is intermediate

7 - challenging

Work life balance
9.4

Work life balance is excellent

6.4 - fair

Store protection specialist career paths

Key steps to become a store protection specialist

  1. Explore store protection specialist education requirements

    Most common store protection specialist degrees

    Bachelor's

    39.1 %

    High School Diploma

    25.1 %

    Associate

    24.5 %
  2. Start to develop specific store protection specialist skills

    SkillsPercentages
    Customer Service25.40%
    Sales Floor20.06%
    Professional Appearance19.09%
    Store Leadership13.55%
    Conference Calls11.48%
  3. Complete relevant store protection specialist training and internships

    Accountants spend an average of Less than 1 month on post-employment, on-the-job training. New store protection specialists learn the skills and techniques required for their job and employer during this time. The chart below shows how long it takes to gain competency as a store protection specialist based on U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics data and data from real store protection specialist resumes.
  4. Research store protection specialist duties and responsibilities

    • Manage safety and hazmat procedures.
    • Respond to EAS alarms and conduct bag checks
    • Perform maintenance on existing CCTV and providing assistance with installation of new surveillance hardware.
    • Implement or monitor processes via CCTV surveillance monitoring equipment to reduce property or financial losses.
  5. Prepare your store protection specialist resume

    When your background is strong enough, you can start writing your store protection specialist resume.

    You can use Zippia's AI resume builder to make the resume writing process easier while also making sure that you include key information that hiring managers expect to see on a store protection specialist resume. You'll find resume tips and examples of skills, responsibilities, and summaries, all provided by Zippi, your career sidekick.

    Choose from 10+ customizable store protection specialist resume templates

    Build a professional store protection specialist resume in minutes. Browse through our resume examples to identify the best way to word your resume. Then choose from 10+ resume templates to create your store protection specialist resume.
    Store Protection Specialist Resume
    Store Protection Specialist Resume
    Store Protection Specialist Resume
    Store Protection Specialist Resume
    Store Protection Specialist Resume
    Store Protection Specialist Resume
    Store Protection Specialist Resume
    Store Protection Specialist Resume
    Store Protection Specialist Resume
  6. Apply for store protection specialist jobs

    Now it's time to start searching for a store protection specialist job. Consider the tips below for a successful job search:

    1. Browse job boards for relevant postings
    2. Consult your professional network
    3. Reach out to companies you're interested in working for directly
    4. Watch out for job scams

How did you land your first store protection specialist job

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Average store protection specialist salary

The average store protection specialist salary in the United States is $35,100 per year or $17 per hour. Store protection specialist salaries range between $24,000 and $50,000 per year.

Average store protection specialist salary
$35,100 Yearly
$16.88 hourly

What am I worth?

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How do store protection specialists rate their job?

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Store protection specialist reviews

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A zippia user wrote a review on Jan 2022
Pros

Meeting a lot of different people have helped people in this job

Cons

The pay is not worth what you have to do sometimes


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A zippia user wrote a review on Nov 2021
Pros

Protecting people and the property where I’m sign at.


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A zippia user wrote a review on Jun 2020
Pros

Yes because is a job that deal with helping people that your help and there's a wonderful happiness while working properly and helping people at the sometime.

Cons

One sometimes people will not like you but they need a help from you but to me a don't call it anything now because I know the status of the job even in a building I have work in that area as a security guard department with my license from United Arab Emirates.


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Updated January 8, 2025

Zippia Research Team
Zippia Team

Editorial Staff

The Zippia Research Team has spent countless hours reviewing resumes, job postings, and government data to determine what goes into getting a job in each phase of life. Professional writers and data scientists comprise the Zippia Research Team.

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