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Other Protective Service Workers

Other Protective Service Workers safeguard people, property, and assets across diverse environments including transportation hubs, retail establishments, recreational facilities, schools, and private organizations. These professionals monitor activities, investigate suspicious behavior, enforce safety regulations, and write detailed reports of incidents or violations. They may operate security equipment, conduct surveillance, or provide direct protection services to ensure public safety and prevent theft, fraud, or other unlawful activities.

Median Annual Pay
$37,268
Range: $22,750 - $96,600
Training Time
Less than 6 months
AI Resilience
🟡AI-Augmented
Education
High school diploma or equivalent

🎬Career Video

🤖AI Resilience Assessment

AI Resilience Score

Score 3/6: balanced factors means AI will assist but humans remain essential

🟡AI-Augmented

How we calculated this:

AI Exposure
Medium+1

44% of tasks can be accelerated by AI

Job Growth
Stable+1

0% projected (2024-2034)

Human Advantage
Moderate+1

EPOCH score: 16/25

Total Score3/6
Methodology: v2.0 - GPTs are GPTs / BLS / EPOCH Additive ScoringUpdated: 2026-01-09

📋Key Responsibilities

  • Write reports of activities, and maintain files of impoundments and dispositions of animals.
  • Investigate reports of animal attacks or animal cruelty, interviewing witnesses, collecting evidence, and writing reports.
  • Examine animals for injuries or malnutrition, and arrange for any necessary medical treatment.
  • Contact animal owners to inform them that their pets are at animal holding facilities.
  • Educate the public about animal welfare, and animal control laws and regulations.
  • Remove captured animals from animal-control service vehicles and place animals in shelter cages or other enclosures.
  • Answer inquiries from the public concerning animal control operations.
  • Capture and remove stray, uncontrolled, or abused animals from undesirable conditions, using nets, nooses, or tranquilizer darts as necessary.

💡Inside This Career

Other protective service workers spend their days actively safeguarding people, property, and assets across diverse environments. Their morning might begin with reviewing incident reports from the previous shift, checking equipment, and coordinating with supervisors about priority areas or special concerns. Throughout the day, they conduct regular patrols, monitor surveillance systems, or maintain watchful positions at key locations. Whether walking through retail spaces, observing gaming floors through camera networks, or positioned at transportation checkpoints, these professionals maintain constant vigilance while interacting with the public in a helpful, authoritative manner.

The work involves a blend of routine monitoring and rapid response to unexpected situations. A typical shift might include documenting violations, conducting investigations, writing detailed reports, and communicating with law enforcement or emergency services when situations escalate beyond their scope. Many collaborate closely with other security personnel, sharing information through radio communications or briefing sessions. Some roles require physical intervention—from directing traffic around construction sites to responding to disturbances—while others focus primarily on observation and documentation of suspicious activities.

Technology plays an increasingly important role in daily operations, with many workers using computer systems, surveillance equipment, metal detectors, or specialized monitoring devices. The work environment varies dramatically depending on specialization—from outdoor patrol routes and transportation hubs to climate-controlled security offices and recreational facilities. Regardless of setting, these professionals must remain alert and professional throughout their shifts, balancing the need for security vigilance with positive public interaction, often serving as the first point of contact for people seeking assistance or information.

📈Career Progression

What does this mean?

This shows how earnings typically grow with experience. Entry level represents starting salaries, while Expert shows top earners (90th percentile). Most workers reach mid-career earnings within 5-10 years. Figures are national averages and vary by location and employer.

1
Entry (10th %ile)
0-2 years experience
$22,750
$20,475 - $25,025
2
Early Career (25th %ile)
2-6 years experience
$28,557
$25,701 - $31,413
3
Mid-Career (Median)
5-15 years experience
$37,268
$33,541 - $40,995
4
Experienced (75th %ile)
10-20 years experience
$66,934
$60,241 - $73,627
5
Expert (90th %ile)
15-30 years experience
$96,600
$86,940 - $106,260

📚Education & Training

Requirements

  • Entry Education: High school diploma or equivalent
  • Experience: Some experience helpful
  • On-the-job Training: Few months to one year

Time & Cost

Education Duration
0-0 years (typically 0)
Estimated Education Cost
$0 - $0
Can earn while learning
Source: college board (2024)
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💻Technology Skills

Animal tracking databasesMicrosoft OfficeGPS systemsCommunication toolsInvestigation databasesSurveillance equipmentGPS trackingReport writingSurveillance systemsDatabase systemsFacial recognitionReporting toolsAccess control systemsIncident reportingMicrosoft Word

Key Abilities

Oral Expression
Problem Sensitivity
Oral Comprehension
Deductive Reasoning
Inductive Reasoning
Speech Clarity
Written Comprehension
Written Expression
Information Ordering
Category Flexibility

🏷️Also Known As

Other Protective Service WorkersACO (Animal Control Officer)Animal AttendantAnimal Control SpecialistAnimal CopAnimal Cruelty InvestigatorAnimal Enforcement OfficerAnimal Instructor OfficerAnimal OfficerAnimal Ordinance Enforcement Officer+20 more

📑Specializations

This career includes 10 specialized roles with different focuses and compensation levels.

🔗Related Careers

Other careers in protective-services

🔗Data Sources

Last updated: 2026-01-09

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