Loss Prevention Managers
Plan and direct policies, procedures, or systems to prevent the loss of assets. Determine risk exposure or potential liability, and develop risk control measures.
Also called: Area Asset Protection Manager, Area Loss Prevention Manager, Asset Protection and Safety Manager, Asset Protection Leader, Asset Protection Manager, Asset Protection Supervisor
Median pay
$141,900
Pay for the broader BLS group “Managers, All Other”
Pay range (10th–90th)
$74,300 – $238,270
People employed
622,190
Whole BLS group
Holland code
CEI
Conventional · Enterprising · Investigative
Updated October 2026 · Data: O*NET 31.0 and BLS OEWS May 2025 · How we match careers
Is this career right for you?
These are the things that stand out in this job compared with other U.S. jobs (O*NET 31.0 work context). Answer honestly.
- 1.Are you OK working more than 40 hours a week?
- 2.Are you happy talking and working with people most of the day?
- 3.Are you OK with hours that change?
The hard parts
- Dealing with conflict is part of the job
- Tight deadlines are common
Loss Prevention Managers pay by state
Highest-paying states
Annual median pay by state (50 states and DC with published data). Source: BLS OEWS May 2025, for the broader group “Managers, All Other”.
What loss prevention managers do
- 01Coordinate or conduct internal investigations of problems such as employee theft and violations of corporate loss prevention policies.
- 02Administer systems and programs to reduce loss, maintain inventory control, or increase safety.
- 03Review loss prevention exception reports and cash discrepancies to ensure adherence to guidelines.
- 04Train loss prevention staff, retail managers, or store employees on loss control and prevention measures.
- 05Investigate or interview individuals suspected of shoplifting or internal theft.
- 06Provide recommendations and solutions in crisis situations such as workplace violence, protests, and demonstrations.
Skills that matter most
- Speaking
- Reading Comprehension
- Active Listening
- Critical Thinking
- Monitoring
- Active Learning
Knowledge
- Public Safety and Security
- Law and Government
- Administration and Management
- English Language
- Education and Training
Work styles that stand out
- Dependability
- Attention to Detail
- Integrity
- Cautiousness
- Achievement Orientation
Education and first steps
Share of workers by required education, as reported to O*NET.
How people get started
- Usually needs a bachelor's degree (O*NET Job Zone 4).
- Related work experience: over 4 years, up to and including 6 years.
- On-the-job training: over 1 month, up to and including 3 months.
- A certification can help.
Most common answers from O*NET 31.0 Education, Training and Experience.
Interest fit (Holland code)
O*NET occupational interest scores, scale 1–7. Take the Free Career Test to compare with your own.
Career changes
Change from loss prevention managers
- Security Managers94% · group pay
- Security Management Specialists91% · group pay
- Management Analysts88% · —
- Business Continuity Planners88% · group pay
- Fraud Examiners, Investigators and Analysts85% · group pay
Change into loss prevention managers
Jobs whose skills carry over best (skill match, their median pay).
- Security Managers88% · $106,660
- Fraud Examiners, Investigators and Analysts82% · $81,100
- Business Continuity Planners81% · $83,050
- Security Management Specialists81% · $83,050
- Transportation, Storage, and Distribution Managers81% · $107,230
Majors that lead here
- Environmental/Natural Resource Economics
- Digital Communication and Media/Multimedia
- Information Technology Project Management
- Library and Information Science
- Archives/Archival Administration
- Systems Science and Theory
- Cultural Resource Management and Policy Analysis
- Economics and Computer Science
- Economics and Foreign Language/Literature
- Geoarcheaology
- History and Language/Literature
- History and Political Science
From the NCES CIP 2020 to SOC 2018 crosswalk.