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Job outlook for protection specialists in the United States
Protection specialist job growth summary. After extensive research, interviews, and analysis, Zippia's data science team found that:
The projected protection specialist job growth rate is 3% from 2018-2028.
About 38,000 new jobs for protection specialists are projected over the next decade.
Protection specialist salaries have increased 20% for protection specialists in the last 5 years.
There are over 23,801 protection specialists currently employed in the United States.
There are 83,627 active protection specialist job openings in the US.
The average protection specialist salary is $76,307.
Are protection specialist jobs in demand?
Protection specialist job and salary trends over time
Protection specialist jobs over time
Protection specialist job growth rate over time
| Year | # of jobs | % of population |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 23,801 | 0.01% |
| 2020 | 28,936 | 0.01% |
| 2019 | 31,145 | 0.01% |
| 2018 | 28,666 | 0.01% |
| 2017 | 27,917 | 0.01% |
Average protection specialist salary over time
Protection specialist salary by year
| Year | Avg. salary | Hourly rate | % Change |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 | $76,307 | $36.69 | +4.6% |
| 2025 | $72,940 | $35.07 | +4.2% |
| 2024 | $70,016 | $33.66 | +5.9% |
| 2023 | $66,108 | $31.78 | +4.4% |
| 2022 | $63,331 | $30.45 | +4.6% |
Protection specialist jobs by state
Most common states for protection specialists
| Rank | State | Population | # of jobs | Employment/ 1000ppl |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | District of Columbia | 693,972 | 190 | 27% |
| 2 | Delaware | 961,939 | 204 | 21% |
| 3 | Alaska | 739,795 | 113 | 15% |
| 4 | Colorado | 5,607,154 | 787 | 14% |
| 5 | Montana | 1,050,493 | 142 | 14% |
| 6 | Wyoming | 579,315 | 80 | 14% |
| 7 | Georgia | 10,429,379 | 1,390 | 13% |
| 8 | Virginia | 8,470,020 | 1,136 | 13% |
| 9 | Massachusetts | 6,859,819 | 901 | 13% |
| 10 | Iowa | 3,145,711 | 407 | 13% |
| 11 | Utah | 3,101,833 | 388 | 13% |
| 12 | Hawaii | 1,427,538 | 185 | 13% |
| 13 | California | 39,536,653 | 4,715 | 12% |
| 14 | Florida | 20,984,400 | 2,612 | 12% |
| 15 | Maryland | 6,052,177 | 720 | 12% |
| 16 | Wisconsin | 5,795,483 | 684 | 12% |
| 17 | Alabama | 4,874,747 | 569 | 12% |
| 18 | Nebraska | 1,920,076 | 240 | 12% |
| 19 | New Hampshire | 1,342,795 | 163 | 12% |
| 20 | Minnesota | 5,576,606 | 595 | 11% |
Most common cities for protection specialists
| Rank | City | # of jobs | Employment/ 1000ppl | Avg. salary |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Alpharetta | 1 | 2% | $74,856 |
| 2 | Boca Raton | 1 | 1% | $69,584 |
| 3 | Costa Mesa | 1 | 1% | $94,376 |
| 4 | Lakeland | 1 | 1% | $70,426 |
| 5 | Boston | 2 | 0% | $86,549 |
| 6 | Phoenix | 2 | 0% | $81,808 |
| 7 | Atlanta | 1 | 0% | $74,674 |
| 8 | Chicago | 1 | 0% | $85,892 |
| 9 | Detroit | 1 | 0% | $83,326 |
| 10 | Los Angeles | 1 | 0% | $94,872 |
| 11 | San Jose | 1 | 0% | $99,861 |
| 12 | Seattle | 1 | 0% | $92,020 |
| 13 | Tampa | 1 | 0% | $70,465 |
Protection Specialist job outlook: Expert opinions
Our panel of protection specialist experts
Curry College
American University
La Sierra University
University of Wisconsin - Oshkosh
What will help Protection Specialists increase their earning potential?
Jennifer Balboni: It's certainly been said before, but soft skills-the ability to communicate effectively with different individuals and groups, as well as the ability to advocate for others--are key competencies in the justice field. Being able to communicate with others, as well as understand and empathize with others--is a vital skill in this field.
More technically, graduates who are able to navigate the virtual/digital world will be prepared to help agencies transition to build more permanent digital programming into the fields of corrections, courts, and law enforcement moving forward. The digital programming that has cropped up as a result of this pandemic is likely not going away entirely once the pandemic is more under control-people like the flexibility it provides. The same is true in the justice realm: virtual connections have been integrated in various processes, facilitating important connections between support services and folks involved in the justice system.
How have salaries changed over time for Protection Specialists?
Trace Lasley Ph.D.: Federal salaries are an open record. Check out the Office of Personnel Management https://www.opm.gov/policy-data-oversight/pay-leave/salaries-wages/#url=2021. You can see the salaries for the last 10 years, and there's a link that will take you back to 1949. For a Masters level homeland security practitioner, you're generally looking at a GS-9 salary, which will vary by location.
T.Christopher Bell
ProfessorLa Sierra University
Criminal Justice Program
What type of skills will young Protection Specialists need?
T.Christopher Bell: The skills graduates will need are much improved in VERBAL COMMUNICATIONS skills-the ability to de-escalate and resolve conflict through verbal communication. Students who are majoring in Criminal Justice must be able to understand multiculturalism. The ability to understand different and not perceive it as harmful.
What experience really stands out on Protection Specialist resumes?
T.Christopher Bell: Students who have good critical thinking skills, communication skills and those that can adapt and improvise will do well in the 21st century. Also, students who have interned, volunteered, or worked in any capacity and showed their ability to be a TEAM PLAYER would have successful careers.
Dr. Durmus Alper CAMLIBEL Ph.D.
Assistant ProfessorUniversity of Wisconsin - Oshkosh
Department of Criminal Justice
What general advice would you give to a Protection Specialist?
Dr. Durmus Alper CAMLIBEL Ph.D.: They need to avoid being overzealous officers. They should not put their career at the center of their life. They need to spend quality time with their family. In law enforcement, good relations with the public and colleagues are essential. They need to develop good relationships with the people and their colleagues and expand their professional network. They always try to be a "problem solver officer" rather than a "problem creator officer." If someone asks for help from them, they should treat this person with dignity and respect. They should avoid being arrogant in their interaction with the public. Because arrogance is the worst plague, and Humility is the greatest virtue.