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What You Need to Know About Retail Loss Prevention Specialist
Occupation Description 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.
What Do Retail Loss Prevention Specialists Do On a Daily Basis?
- Maintain documentation or reports on security-related incidents or investigations.
- Testify in civil or criminal court proceedings.
- Conduct store audits to identify problem areas or procedural deficiencies.
- Conduct employee background investigations and review reports with operational or human resources managers.
- Recommend new or improved processes or equipment to reduce risk exposure.
- Direct work of contract security officers or other loss prevention agents.
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Things a Loss Prevention Specialist Should Know How to Do
Retail Loss Prevention Specialists state the following job skills are important in their day-to-day work.
Critical Thinking: Using logic and reasoning to identify the strengths and weaknesses of alternative solutions, conclusions or approaches to problems.
Active Listening: Giving full attention to what other people are saying, taking time to understand the points being made, asking questions as appropriate, and not interrupting at inappropriate times.
Speaking: Talking to others to convey information effectively.
Monitoring: Monitoring/Assessing performance of yourself, other individuals, or organizations to make improvements or take corrective action.
Social Perceptiveness: Being aware of others’ reactions and understanding why they react as they do.
Judgment and Decision Making: Considering the relative costs and benefits of potential actions to choose the most appropriate one.
Types of Retail Loss Prevention Specialist
- Loss Prevention Guard
- Loss Prevention Service Ambassador
- Retail Asset Protection Specialist
- Loss Prevention Associate (LPA)
- Loss Prevention Supervisor
Loss Prevention Specialist Job Outlook
In 2016, there was an estimated number of 133,800 jobs in the United States for Retail Loss Prevention Specialist. New jobs are being produced at a rate of 8.4% which is above the national average. The Bureau of Labor Statistics predicts 11,300 new jobs for Retail Loss Prevention Specialist by 2026. There will be an estimated 35,200 positions for Loss Prevention Specialist per year.
The states with the most job growth for Loss Prevention Specialist are Texas, Nevada, and Washington. Watch out if you plan on working in New Jersey, Alaska, or Connecticut. These states have the worst job growth for this type of profession.
Average Retail Loss Prevention Specialists Salary
The typical yearly salary for Retail Loss Prevention Specialists is somewhere between $20,530 and $54,130.
Retail Loss Prevention Specialists who work in District of Columbia, Virginia, or Nevada, make the highest salaries.
Below is a list of the median annual salaries for Retail Loss Prevention Specialists in different U.S. states.
| State | Annual Mean Salary |
|---|---|
| Alabama | $26,370 |
| Alaska | $42,150 |
| Arizona | $33,890 |
| Arkansas | $31,120 |
| California | $39,840 |
| Colorado | $34,770 |
| Connecticut | $40,040 |
| Delaware | $26,810 |
| District of Columbia | $54,200 |
| Florida | $34,390 |
| Georgia | $37,390 |
| Hawaii | $34,170 |
| Idaho | $33,470 |
| Illinois | $28,800 |
| Indiana | $27,090 |
| Iowa | $43,460 |
| Kansas | $27,000 |
| Kentucky | $40,810 |
| Louisiana | $38,600 |
| Maine | $33,160 |
| Maryland | $39,590 |
| Massachusetts | $36,720 |
| Michigan | $31,920 |
| Minnesota | $36,730 |
| Mississippi | $31,980 |
| Missouri | $38,230 |
| Montana | $32,950 |
| Nevada | $44,560 |
| New Hampshire | $36,140 |
| New Jersey | $31,730 |
| New Mexico | $47,310 |
| New York | $31,410 |
| North Carolina | $37,790 |
| North Dakota | $43,740 |
| Ohio | $31,510 |
| Oklahoma | $44,330 |
| Oregon | $41,900 |
| Pennsylvania | $29,200 |
| Rhode Island | $33,200 |
| South Carolina | $32,040 |
| Tennessee | $36,250 |
| Texas | $27,070 |
| Utah | $36,690 |
| Virginia | $47,960 |
| Washington | $42,450 |
| West Virginia | $33,490 |
| Wisconsin | $35,170 |
| Wyoming | $37,350 |
What Tools & Technology do Retail Loss Prevention Specialists Use?
Although they’re not necessarily needed for all jobs, the following technologies are used by many Retail Loss Prevention Specialists:
- Microsoft Excel
- Microsoft Word
- Microsoft Office
- Microsoft PowerPoint
- Microsoft Outlook
- Database software
- Symantec
- McAfee
- Case management system software
Becoming a Loss Prevention Specialist
Individuals working as a Retail Loss Prevention Specialist have obtained the following education levels:
How many years of work experience do I need?
Where Retail Loss Prevention Specialists Work
Retail Loss Prevention Specialists work in the following industries:
References:
More about our data sources and methodologies.