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Retail Loss Prevention Specialists in West Virginia

Thinking about a career as a Retail Loss Prevention Specialists in West Virginia? Here’s what you need to know. All protective service workers not listed separately.

What do Retail Loss Prevention Specialists Make in West Virginia?

For a retail loss prevention specialists working in West Virginia, the typical annual salary is $46,760 per year (or roughly $22.48/hour).Pay can range from $33,230 at the 10th percentile to $91,190 at the 90th percentile.

Wage Statistic	Annual	Hourly
10th percentile	$33,230	$15.98
25th percentile	$39,560	$19.02
Median (50th)	$46,760	$22.48
75th percentile	$70,080	$33.69
90th percentile	$91,190	$43.84

The job concentration index in West Virginia relative to the national average — is 0.48, suggesting fewer retail loss prevention specialists per worker than the national average.

National Wage Comparison

Nationally, retail loss prevention specialists earn a median of $59,221 per year ($28.47/hour), lower than the West Virginia median.

Employment Outlook

Nationally, total employment in this occupation is 125,274 retail loss prevention specialists nationwide. In West Virginia alone, around 180 people work in this role. That’s below the typical state, which employs around 570 retail loss prevention specialists.

Top West Virginia Metros for Retail Loss Prevention Specialists

The metro areas below employ the most retail loss prevention specialists in West Virginia.

Metro Area	Number Employed	Annual Median Salary
Charleston, WV	40	$49,320

Top States for Retail Loss Prevention Specialists Employment

These states have the highest employment of retail loss prevention specialists work.

State	Number Employed
California	23,390
Texas	5,970
Virginia	5,170
Colorado	5,020
Pennsylvania	4,670
Washington	4,560
Florida	3,790
New Jersey	3,410
Ohio	2,840
Oregon	2,480
Louisiana	2,020
New York	1,660
Arizona	1,430
Maryland	1,270
Nevada	1,120
Georgia	1,030
Michigan	990
Wisconsin	840
Tennessee	820
Connecticut	770

Highest-Paying States for Retail Loss Prevention Specialists

Where retail loss prevention specialists earn the most: retail loss prevention specialists.

State	Annual Median Salary
District of Columbia	$84,360
New Hampshire	$83,510
New Mexico	$66,640
Rhode Island	$64,140
Hawaii	$60,900
New York	$59,830
Maryland	$55,870
Wisconsin	$55,660
Nevada	$55,440
Alaska	$55,370

Skills

The most important retail loss prevention specialists skills, rated on an importance scale of 0 to 5:

Knowledge Areas

Key knowledge areas for this occupation, rated on an importance scale of 0 to 5:

Abilities

The abilities that matter most for retail loss prevention specialists, rated on an importance scale of 0 to 5:

Daily Tasks

Common tasks 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.
• Conduct store audits to identify problem areas or procedural deficiencies.
• Monitor compliance with standard operating procedures for loss prevention, physical security, or risk management.
• Inspect buildings, equipment, or access points to determine security risks.
• Perform covert surveillance of areas susceptible to loss, such loading docks, distribution centers, or warehouses.
• Prepare written reports on investigations.

Work Activities

• Identifying Objects, Actions, and Events
• Processing Information
• Communicating with Supervisors, Peers, or Subordinates
• Getting Information
• Documenting/Recording Information
• Evaluating Information to Determine Compliance with Standards
• Making Decisions and Solving Problems
• Analyzing Data or Information
• Organizing, Planning, and Prioritizing Work
• Monitoring Processes, Materials, or Surroundings
• Updating and Using Relevant Knowledge
• Establishing and Maintaining Interpersonal Relationships

Tools & Technology

Software and systems commonly involved: Hot technologies: Microsoft Access In-demand technologies: Microsoft Excel

Related Careers

Careers similar to retail loss prevention specialists include:

• Security Managers
• Emergency Management Directors
• Compliance Managers
• Loss Prevention Managers
• Management Analysts
• Business Continuity Planners

Also Known As

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).

References

• U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics — https://www.bls.gov/oes/
• O*NET Online — https://www.onetonline.org/
• BLS Employment Projections — https://www.bls.gov/emp/
• O*NET-SOC code: 33-9099.02