Retail Loss Prevention Specialists
Machines can already do 36% of this job's tasks. By 2035 that rises to 59%. The job changes before it disappears.
Share of the work machines can do
Worldwide baseline, 2026 to 2050
Retail Loss Prevention Specialists in 2026: the short answer
- Today: machines can do 36% of this job's tasks, and AI use is already seen in 6% of them.
- Forecast: machines can do half of its tasks by 2032, and 59% by 2035, according to the 311 Strategic Intelligence Unit.
- Size: 81,500 people do this job in the United States, on a median pay of $42,540 a year.
- Contact with people: it scores 84% for contact with people.
- Also called: Asset Protection Associate (APA), Loss Prevention Agent, Loss Prevention Associate (LPA), Loss Prevention Detective.
Updated by the 311 Strategic Intelligence Unit. These are worldwide baseline figures; the Workforce Starburst shows them for your country. Go deeper: How ready am I? or an executive briefing.
How the work changes, task by task
The tasks that take up most of the day, with the share of each that machines can do in 2026 (dark) and 2035 (pink). Worldwide baseline.
| Task | Share of the day | Machines can do | 2026 to 2035 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Perform covert surveillance of areas susceptible to loss, such loading docks, distribution centers, or warehouses | 14% | 36% to 68% | |
| Investigate known or suspected internal theft, external theft, or vendor fraud | 12% | 50% to 72% | |
| Implement or monitor processes to reduce property or financial losses | 10% | 36% to 68% | |
| Maintain documentation or reports on security-related incidents or investigations | 7% | 63% to 81% | |
| Conduct store audits to identify problem areas or procedural deficiencies | 6% | 3% to 25% | |
| Monitor compliance with standard operating procedures for loss prevention, physical security, or risk management | 6% | 76% to 82% | |
| Apprehend shoplifters in accordance with guidelines | 5% | 3% to 25% | |
| Verify proper functioning of physical security systems, such as closed-circuit televisions, alarms, sensor tag systems, or locks | 5% | 18% to 51% |
The skills this job runs on
The skills retail loss prevention specialists use most, most used first.
Safer jobs nearby
Jobs with a similar skill shape where machines can do less of the work by 2035.
- Transit and Railroad Police52% of tasks by 2035 · US median $90,230
- Forest Fire Inspectors and Prevention Specialists50% of tasks by 2035 · US median $56,870
- Fish and Game Wardens39% of tasks by 2035 · US median $74,060
- First-Line Supervisors of Correctional Officers40% of tasks by 2035 · US median $77,970
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Questions
When will machines do half of the tasks of Retail Loss Prevention Specialists?
Machines can do half of its tasks by 2032. That is the worldwide baseline from the 311 Workforce Starburst, before adjusting for country.
Will AI take the job of retail loss prevention specialists?
Machines can do 36% of the tasks of retail loss prevention specialists today and 59% by 2035. The job changes before it disappears: the routine tasks move first.
Sources and citing
Tasks and their share of the day: O*NET 31.0, occupation 33-9099.02 (US Department of Labor, CC BY 4.0). Pay and jobs: US Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025. AI use today: Anthropic Economic Index (CC BY). Scoring and forecast: the 311 Strategic Intelligence Unit; after 2035 the figures extend each trend, with lower confidence. Foresight, not advice.
Cite as: 311 Institute (2026). Retail Loss Prevention Specialists: the outlook to 2050. 311 Workforce Starburst. https://www.311institute.com/jobs/retail-loss-prevention-specialists/