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Retail Loss Prevention Specialist

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.

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.

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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.

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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:

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How many years of work experience do I need?

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Where Retail Loss Prevention Specialists Work

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Retail Loss Prevention Specialists work in the following industries:

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References:

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More about our data sources and methodologies.

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