🛡️

Protective Services

Protect people and property. Includes police, firefighters, and security.

29 careers$54,580 median payMedium AI risk

📋 What You'll Do

•Respond to emergencies and calls for service
•Patrol areas and maintain public safety
•Investigate crimes and incidents
•Rescue people from dangerous situations
•Enforce laws and regulations
•Write reports and testify in court

🎓 Education & Training

Typical Path

High school diploma plus academy training

Time Investment

6 months to 2 years for entry, ongoing training

Common Credentials

• Police academy certification
• Firefighter certification
• EMT/Paramedic certification

👤 Who This Is For

Good fit if you:

✓Those driven to serve and protect others
✓People who stay calm under pressure
✓Physically fit individuals who enjoy action
✓Those comfortable with authority and confrontation

Not ideal if you:

✗Those uncomfortable with physical danger
✗People who struggle with shift work

About Protective Services Careers

Protective services careers safeguard people, property, and public safety. From police officers maintaining order to firefighters responding to emergencies, these professionals put themselves at risk to protect others.

This field offers opportunities in law enforcement, fire services, corrections, and security, each with unique demands and rewards.

Core Skills Needed

Physical fitness and staminaQuick decision-making under pressureCommunication and de-escalationSituational awareness and observationIntegrity and ethical judgmentTeamwork and coordinationWeapons and equipment proficiency

Protective Services Careers

Explore all 29 careers in this category

Pay ≥

AI:

Showing 29 of 29 careers

Sort by:

Career	Category	Median Pay	Training	AI Resilience
Security Managers	Protective Services	$102,340	4-5 years	🟡AI-Augmented
First-Line Supervisors of Police and Detectives	Protective Services	$101,750	<6mo	🟡AI-Augmented
Detectives and Criminal Investigators	Protective Services	$91,100	<6mo	🟡AI-Augmented
Police Identification and Records Officers	Protective Services	$91,100	<6mo	🟡AI-Augmented
Intelligence Analysts	Protective Services	$91,100	4-5 years	🟡AI-Augmented
First-Line Supervisors of Firefighting and Prevention Workers	Protective Services	$86,220	<6mo	🟡AI-Augmented
Fire Inspectors and Investigators	Protective Services	$74,160	6-24mo	🟡AI-Augmented
Police and Sheriff's Patrol Officers	Protective Services	$72,280	<6mo	🟡AI-Augmented
Customs and Border Protection Officers	Protective Services	$72,280	<6mo	🟡AI-Augmented
Transit and Railroad Police	Protective Services	$72,250	4-5 years	🟡AI-Augmented
First-Line Supervisors of Correctional Officers	Protective Services	$70,530	<6mo	🟡AI-Augmented
First-Line Supervisors of Protective Service Workers, All Other	Protective Services	$65,050	4-5 years	🟡AI-Augmented
Fish and Game Wardens	Protective Services	$60,380	4-5 years	🟡AI-Augmented
Firefighters	Protective Services	$57,120	<6mo	🟡AI-Augmented
First-Line Supervisors of Security Workers	Protective Services	$54,580	2-4yr	🟡AI-Augmented
Forest Fire Inspectors and Prevention Specialists	Protective Services	$54,080	<6mo	🟡AI-Augmented
Correctional Officers and Jailers	Protective Services	$53,300	<6mo	🟡AI-Augmented
Bailiffs	Protective Services	$53,040	<6mo	🟡AI-Augmented
Transportation Security Screeners	Protective Services	$50,020	<6mo	🟡AI-Augmented
Private Detectives and Investigators	Protective Services	$49,540	4-5 years	🟠In Transition
Parking Enforcement Workers	Protective Services	$46,840	<6mo	🟡AI-Augmented
Animal Control Workers	Protective Services	$43,170	<6mo	🟡AI-Augmented
Protective Service Workers, All Other	Protective Services	$39,360	4-5 years	🟡AI-Augmented
Retail Loss Prevention Specialists	Protective Services	$39,360	<6mo	🟡AI-Augmented
Gambling Surveillance Officers and Gambling Investigators	Protective Services	$39,210	<6mo	🟠In Transition
Security Guards	Protective Services	$37,070	<6mo	🟡AI-Augmented
Crossing Guards and Flaggers	Protective Services	$36,370	<6mo	🟡AI-Augmented
School Bus Monitors	Protective Services	$33,130	4-5 years	🟡AI-Augmented
Lifeguards, Ski Patrol, and Other Recreational Protective Service Workers	Protective Services	$30,380	<6mo	🟡AI-Augmented