All About Retail Loss Prevention Specialists
Example of Loss Prevention Specialist Job 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.
Loss Prevention Specialist Responsibilities
- Conduct employee background investigations and review reports with operational or human resources managers.
- Perform covert surveillance of areas susceptible to loss, such loading docks, distribution centers, or warehouses.
- Inspect buildings, equipment, or access points to determine security risks.
- Verify proper functioning of physical security systems, such as closed-circuit televisions, alarms, sensor tag systems, or locks.
- Monitor compliance with standard operating procedures for loss prevention, physical security, or risk management.
- Investigate known or suspected internal theft, external theft, or vendor fraud.
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What a Loss Prevention Specialist Should Know
These are the skills Retail Loss Prevention Specialists say are the most useful in their careers:
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.
Monitoring: Monitoring/Assessing performance of yourself, other individuals, or organizations to make improvements or take corrective action.
Speaking: Talking to others to convey information effectively.
Judgment and Decision Making: Considering the relative costs and benefits of potential actions to choose the most appropriate one.
Social Perceptiveness: Being aware of others' reactions and understanding why they react as they do.
Types of Loss Prevention Specialist Jobs
- Loss Prevention Service Ambassador
- Asset Protection Greeter
- Loss Prevention Representative
- Regional Loss Prevention Manager (Regional LP Manager)
- Asset Protection Associate (APA)
Loss Prevention Specialist Employment Estimates
In the United States, there were 133,800 jobs for Retail Loss Prevention Specialist in 2016. 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. Due to new job openings and attrition, there will be an average of 35,200 job openings in this field each 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.
Loss Prevention Specialist Average 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 do Retail Loss Prevention Specialists Use?
Below is a list of the types of tools and technologies that Retail Loss Prevention Specialists may use on a daily basis:
- Microsoft Excel
- Microsoft Word
- Microsoft Office
- Microsoft PowerPoint
- Microsoft Outlook
- Database software
- Symantec
- McAfee
- Case management system software
How do I Become a Loss Prevention Specialist?
What education or degrees do I need to become a Retail Loss Prevention Specialist?

How many years of work experience do I need?

Where do Retail Loss Prevention Specialists Work?

The table below shows the approximate number of Retail Loss Prevention Specialists employed by various industries.

References:
More about our data sources and methodologies.
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