Career Overview
Implement procedures and systems to prevent merchandise loss. Conduct audits and investigations of employee activity. May assist in developing policies, procedures, and systems for safeguarding assets.
Also Known As
- Loss Prevention Agent
- Loss Prevention Associate (LPA)
- Loss Prevention Detective
- Loss Prevention Officer
Alternate Job Titles
- Asset Protection Agent
- Asset Protection Associate (APA)
- Asset Protection Coordinator
- Asset Protection Detective
- Asset Protection Greeter
- Asset Protection Investigator
- Asset Protection Manager
- Asset Protection Officer
- Asset Protection Security Guard
- Asset Protection Service Associate
- Asset Protection Specialist
- Loss Control Field Representative (Loss Control Field Rep)
- Loss Mitigation Specialist
- Loss Prevention Agent
- Loss Prevention Associate (LPA)
What You'll Do
In this role, your typical responsibilities include:
- Investigate known or suspected internal theft, external theft, or vendor fraud.
- Implement or monitor processes to reduce property or financial losses.
- Identify and report merchandise or stock shortages.
- Maintain documentation or reports on security-related incidents or investigations.
- Apprehend shoplifters in accordance with guidelines.
- Verify proper functioning of physical security systems, such as closed-circuit televisions, alarms, sensor tag systems, or locks.
- Identify and report safety concerns to maintain a safe shopping and working environment.
Emerging Responsibilities
As this field evolves, you may also:
- Use drone technology for surveillance and loss prevention.
Knowledge You'll Use
You'll need solid knowledge in these areas:
- Public Safety and Security
- English Language
- Law and Government
- Customer and Personal Service
- Education and Training
- Administration and Management
Essential Skills
Success in this career requires strong skills in:
- Critical Thinking
Key Abilities
This career requires key abilities in:
- Oral Comprehension
- Problem Sensitivity
- Deductive Reasoning
- Oral Expression
- Speech Recognition
- Inductive Reasoning
- Written Comprehension
- Speech Clarity
- Near Vision
- Selective Attention
Work Style
People who excel in this career typically demonstrate:
- Integrity
- Dependability
- Attention to Detail
- Cautiousness
- Self-Control
What Matters in This Career
This career tends to satisfy these work values:
- Independence
- Achievement
- Working Conditions
- Relationships
- Support
Education & Preparation
Typical Education: High School Diploma - or the equivalent (for example, GED)
On-the-Job Training: Over 1 month, up to and including 3 months
Education Details: Usually requires a high school diploma or GED, though some occupations may not.
Experience Required: Some occupations may need little or no previous experience; others require several months to a year of experience. For example, landscaping and groundskeeping workers might require very little training or previous experience, while agricultural equipment operators can benefit from on-the job training.
Technology You'll Use
Popular Technologies & Software
- Microsoft Access
- Microsoft Excel
- Microsoft Office software
- Microsoft Outlook
- Microsoft PowerPoint
- Microsoft Windows
- Microsoft Word
- Structured query language SQL
Tools & Equipment
- Access control systems
- Automated locks
- Closed circuit television CCTV surveillance systems
- Computer data input scanners
- Contact alarm systems
- Copy machines
- Digital video cameras
- Digital video recorders DVR
- Electronic article surveillance EAS sensing devices
- Electronic cash registers
- Electronic wanding devices
- Fire detection systems
- Key cutters
- Laptop computers
- Laser facsimile machines
Work Environment
- Contact With Others
- Work With or Contribute to a Work Group or Team
- Telephone Conversations
- Face-to-Face Discussions with Individuals and Within Teams
- Indoors, Environmentally Controlled
Salary & Job Market
Wages reported for the broader Protective Service Workers, All Other occupational group (BLS 2024), which includes Retail Loss Prevention Specialists.
| Salary Percentile | Annual Wage |
|---|---|
| Entry-Level (10th percentile) | $30,620 |
| Median | $41,600 |
| Top Earners (90th percentile) | $72,670 |
Workers Employed Nationally: 83,110
Related Careers
If you're interested in this career, you might also consider:
Loss Prevention Managers
Education: Bachelor's Degree
Median Salary: $136,550
Private Detectives and Investigators
Education: Bachelor's Degree
Median Salary: $52,370
Security Managers
Education: Bachelor's Degree
Median Salary: $104,690
First-Line Supervisors of Security Workers
Education: Associate's Degree (or other 2-year degree)
Median Salary: $58,610
Compliance Managers
Education: Bachelor's Degree
Median Salary: $136,550
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Occupational data sourced from the O*NET OnLine database, developed by the U.S. Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration. Wage data from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), 2024.