EXPLORE A CAREER FAMILY · SOC 33

Protective ServiceFind the work that fits.

Explore firefighting, law enforcement, security, emergency protection and related service occupations.

National occupation wages · across employer industries

Published wages do not replace an agency’s salary schedule or establish overtime, special assignments, pension value or rank-based compensation.

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28 careers · Page 1 of 2

Occupational wages · May 2025
Protective Service

Animal Control Workers

Handle animals for the purpose of investigations of mistreatment, or control of abandoned, dangerous, or unattended animals.

National median annual wage$45,660Source occupation group · May 2025
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Protective Service

Bailiffs

Maintain order in courts of law.

National median annual wage$56,600Source occupation group · May 2025
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Protective Service

Correctional Officers and Jailers

Guard inmates in penal or rehabilitative institutions in accordance with established regulations and procedures. May guard prisoners in transit between jail, courtroom, prison, or other point. Includes deputy sheriffs and police who spend the majority of their time guarding prisoners in correctional institutions.

National median annual wage$58,940Source occupation group · May 2025
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Protective Service

Crossing Guards and Flaggers

Guide or control vehicular or pedestrian traffic at such places as streets, schools, railroad crossings, or construction sites.

National median annual wage$38,100Source occupation group · May 2025
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Protective Service

Customs and Border Protection Officers

Investigate and inspect persons, common carriers, goods, and merchandise, arriving in or departing from the United States or between states to detect violations of immigration and customs laws and regulations.

National median annual wage$76,210Source occupation group · May 2025
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Protective Service

Detectives and Criminal Investigators

Conduct investigations related to suspected violations of federal, state, or local laws to prevent or solve crimes.

National median annual wage$93,790Source occupation group · May 2025
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Protective Service

Fire Inspectors and Investigators

Inspect buildings to detect fire hazards and enforce local ordinances and state laws, or investigate and gather facts to determine cause of fires and explosions.

National median annual wage$75,920Source occupation group · May 2025
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Protective Service

Firefighters

Control and extinguish fires or respond to emergency situations where life, property, or the environment is at risk. Duties may include fire prevention, emergency medical service, hazardous material response, search and rescue, and disaster assistance.

National median annual wage$59,280Source occupation group · May 2025
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Protective Service

First-Line Supervisors of Correctional Officers

Directly supervise and coordinate activities of correctional officers and jailers.

National median annual wage$77,970Source occupation group · May 2025
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Protective Service

First-Line Supervisors of Firefighting and Prevention Workers

Directly supervise and coordinate activities of workers engaged in firefighting and fire prevention and control.

National median annual wage$93,530Source occupation group · May 2025
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Protective Service

First-Line Supervisors of Police and Detectives

Directly supervise and coordinate activities of members of police force.

National median annual wage$106,040Source occupation group · May 2025
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Protective Service

First-Line Supervisors of Protective Service Workers, All Other

All protective service supervisors not listed separately above.

National median annual wage$76,400Source occupation group · May 2025
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Protective Service

First-Line Supervisors of Security Workers

Directly supervise and coordinate activities of security workers and security guards.

National median annual wage$55,940Source occupation group · May 2025
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Protective Service

Fish and Game Wardens

Patrol assigned area to prevent fish and game law violations. Investigate reports of damage to crops or property by wildlife. Compile biological data.

National median annual wage$74,060Source occupation group · May 2025
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Protective Service

Forest Fire Inspectors and Prevention Specialists

Enforce fire regulations, inspect forest for fire hazards, and recommend forest fire prevention or control measures. May report forest fires and weather conditions.

National median annual wage$56,870Source occupation group · May 2025
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Protective Service

Gambling Surveillance Officers and Gambling Investigators

Observe gambling operation for irregular activities such as cheating or theft by either employees or patrons. Investigate potential threats to gambling assets such as money, chips, and gambling equipment. Act as oversight and security agent for management and customers.

National median annual wage$43,370Source occupation group · May 2025
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Protective Service

Intelligence Analysts

Gather, analyze, or evaluate information from a variety of sources, such as law enforcement databases, surveillance, intelligence networks or geographic information systems. Use intelligence data to anticipate and prevent organized crime activities, such as terrorism.

National median annual wage$93,790Source occupation group · May 2025
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Protective Service

Lifeguards, Ski Patrol, and Other Recreational Protective Service Workers

Monitor recreational areas, such as pools, beaches, or ski slopes, to provide assistance and protection to participants.

National median annual wage$33,580Source occupation group · May 2025
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Protective Service

Parking Enforcement Workers

Patrol assigned area, such as public parking lot or city streets to issue tickets to overtime parking violators and illegally parked vehicles.

National median annual wage$46,730Source occupation group · May 2025
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Protective Service

Police Identification and Records Officers

Collect evidence at crime scene, classify and identify fingerprints, and photograph evidence for use in criminal and civil cases.

National median annual wage$93,790Source occupation group · May 2025
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Protective Service

Police and Sheriff's Patrol Officers

Maintain order and protect life and property by enforcing local, tribal, state, or federal laws and ordinances. Perform a combination of the following duties: patrol a specific area; direct traffic; issue traffic summonses; investigate accidents; apprehend and arrest suspects, or serve legal processes of courts. Includes police officers working at educational institutions.

National median annual wage$76,210Source occupation group · May 2025
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Protective Service

Private Detectives and Investigators

Gather, analyze, compile, and report information regarding individuals or organizations to clients, or detect occurrences of unlawful acts or infractions of rules in private establishment.

National median annual wage$51,220Source occupation group · May 2025
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Protective Service

Protective Service Workers, All Other

All protective service workers not listed separately.

National median annual wage$42,540Source occupation group · May 2025
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Protective Service

Retail Loss Prevention Specialists

Implement procedures and systems to prevent merchandise loss. Conduct audits and investigations of employee activity. May assist in developing policies, procedures, and systems for safeguarding assets.

National median annual wage$42,540Source occupation group · May 2025
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About these career references

Occupation descriptions are adapted from the O*NET® 31.0 Database by the U.S. Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration (USDOL/ETA), under CC BY 4.0. Wages.fyi organizes the profiles into career-family guides and adds navigation and explanatory context. USDOL/ETA has not approved, endorsed, or tested these modifications. O*NET® is a trademark of USDOL/ETA. Database license and attribution requirements.

Where shown, occupational wages use the BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics reference available through official O*NET wage exports. A detailed career may share a broader wage group. Missing values remain unavailable; percentiles are not career levels or starting-salary promises. Read the methodology.