How to hire a protective officer

How to hire a protective officer, step by step

Here's a step-by-step protective officer hiring guide:

• Step 1: Identify your hiring needs
• Step 2: Create an ideal candidate profile
• Step 3: Make a budget
• Step 4: Write a protective officer job description
• Step 5: Post your job
• Step 6: Interview candidates
• Step 7: Send a job offer and onboard your new protective officer
• Step 8: Go through the hiring process checklist

What does a protective officer do?

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1. Identify your hiring needs

   Before you post your protective officer job, you should take the time to determine what type of worker your business needs. While certain jobs definitely require a full-time employee, it's sometimes better to find a protective officer for hire on a part-time basis or as a contractor.

   Determine employee vs contractor status

   Is the person you're thinking of hiring a US citizen or green card holder?

   Yes

   No

   Hiring the perfect protective officer also involves considering the ideal background you'd like them to have. Depending on what industry or field they have experience in, they'll bring different skills to the job. It's also important to consider what levels of seniority and education the job requires and what kind of salary such a candidate would likely demand.

   Here's a comparison of protective officer salaries for various roles:

   Type of Protective Officer	Description	Hourly rate
   Protective Officer	Security guards and gaming surveillance officers patrol and protect property against theft, vandalism, terrorism, and illegal activity.	$13-27
   Security Agent	Security Agents guard the entrance and exit of a building, watching CCTV footage for unusual activities, and holding trespassers until authorities arrive. Being a security agent is usually a shift-based job and can sometimes last overnight... Show more	$11-25
   Criminal Investigator	A criminal investigator is a law enforcement professional who endeavors to solve felony crimes. Criminal investigators may work alone or as a member of an investigative team whose goal is to uncover the certainty of a case and potentially keep suspects to prevent the ensuing criminal activity... Show more	$16-40

   Show more

2. Create an ideal candidate profile

   Common skills:

   • Customer Service
   • Emergency Situations
   • Patrol
   • CCTV
   • Security Systems
   • Safety Hazards
   • Patients
   • Security Procedures
   • Incident Reports
   • Criminal Justice
   • CPR
   • Loss Prevention
   • Vehicle Inspections
   • English Language

   Check all skills

   Responsibilities:

   • Arm weapons for PSO, baton, OC .. and PSO skills if need ..
   • Assist in basic operations during EMT emergencies.
   • Collaborate with and build relationships across CPO team.
   • Work independently to check alertness and compliance of public order.
   • Work as a CPO security officer for DCH regional medical center.
   • Maintain a DAR and secure entrance and other designate spaces after hours.

   More protective officer duties

3. Make a budget

   Including a salary range in your protective officer job description is one of the best ways to attract top talent. A protective officer can vary based on:

   • Location. For example, protective officers' average salary in mississippi is 56% less than in alaska.
   • Seniority. Entry-level protective officers 52% less than senior-level protective officers.
   • Certifications. A protective officer with certifications usually earns a higher salary.
   • Company. Working for an established firm or a new start-up company can make a big difference in a protective officer's salary.

   Average protective officer salary

   $40,529yearly

   $19.49 hourly rate

   ---

   Entry-level protective officer salary

   $28,000 yearly salary

   Updated January 22, 2026

   Average protective officer salary by state

   Rank	State	Avg. salary	Hourly rate
   1	New York	$55,444	$27
   2	California	$52,013	$25
   3	District of Columbia	$50,282	$24
   4	Massachusetts	$49,450	$24
   5	Washington	$48,992	$24
   6	Virginia	$48,148	$23
   7	Minnesota	$43,115	$21
   8	Michigan	$42,458	$20
   9	Arizona	$42,076	$20
   10	Connecticut	$41,543	$20
   11	Pennsylvania	$41,004	$20
   12	Wyoming	$40,694	$20
   13	Missouri	$38,484	$19
   14	Colorado	$37,621	$18
   15	Illinois	$36,149	$17
   16	New Mexico	$36,147	$17
   17	Ohio	$35,764	$17
   18	Texas	$35,612	$17
   19	South Carolina	$34,549	$17
   20	North Carolina	$33,660	$16

   Average protective officer salary by company

   Company

   Rank	Company	Average salary	Hourly rate	Job openings
   1	National Security	$59,938	$28.82
   2	Inter-Con Security Systems	$56,470	$27.15	422
   3	Northrop Grumman	$47,460	$22.82	3
   4	City and County of Denver Government	$47,459	$22.82	2
   5	Wabtec Corporation	$47,457	$22.82
   6	USAA	$44,566	$21.43	7
   7	Victoria's Secret	$44,302	$21.30	3
   8	City of Austin	$44,150	$21.23	1
   9	Mattel	$42,996	$20.67	4
   10	Fifth Third Bank	$41,788	$20.09	30
   11	Risk International	$40,248	$19.35	1
   12	Gavin de Becker & Associates	$39,385	$18.94	4
   13	Big Lots	$38,302	$18.41
   14	Homeland Stores	$37,334	$17.95
   15	City of Aurora	$37,292	$17.93	5
   16	Missouri History Museum	$37,256	$17.91	2
   17	Virginia Mason Institute	$37,092	$17.83	2
   18	Meijer	$37,006	$17.79	26
   19	Hennepin Healthcare	$36,406	$17.50
   20	Yakima Valley Memorial	$36,211	$17.41

4. Writing a protective officer job description

   A protective officer job description should include a summary of the role, required skills, and a list of responsibilities. It's also good to include a salary range and the first name of the hiring manager. To help get you started, here's an example of a protective officer job description:

   Protective officer job description example

   1. Conducts safety, security and procedural incident investigations and audits.
   
   2. Ensures security-level compliance with key company standards of physical security, safety, facility maintenance and other administrative duties as identified and/or as directed by the DC Loss Prevention Supervisor.
   
   3. Documents and reports issues relating to fire, life safety, OSHA compliance, company policy, dishonest activity or any other issues relating to the protection of company assets including property and our associates. Reports findings to DC Loss Prevention Supervisor and/or DC Loss Prevention Manager.
   
   4. Develops a good working relationship with all associates within the company. 5. May be involved with installing various types of security equipment (i.e. CCTV, troubleshooting and service).
   
   6. Performs semi-routine duties where some judgment is required. Work is performed under defined and uniform procedures.
   
   7. Maintains the integrity of our Mission, Vision and Values statement while performing daily job duties.
   
   Qualifications
   
   1. Previous experience in private security or Law Enforcement preferred.
   
   2. High School diploma or GED required. Must have a valid driver's license. Must pass a criminal background check.
   
   3. Ability to communicate fluently in English, good oral and written communication skills, average reading, Math and PC skills, organizational and strong interpersonal skills required. Bilingual a plus.
   
   4. Working knowledge of basic OSHA regulations, physical security, CPR/AED and First Aid preferred.
   
   5. Working knowledge in physical security of a distribution center in protecting company assets, property and associates preferred.
   
   6. Ability to work a flexible shift and position schedule, as well as, work in inclement weather required.
   
   7. Ability to maintain a positive working relationship with all associates within immediate department, distribution center and general office and to use good judgment in recognizing scope of authority.
   
   8. Ability to handle multiple tasks, be detail oriented, able to maintain confidentiality and perform duties without immediate and constant supervision.
   
   9. Ability to perform physical activity at a sustained pace within the Distribution Center environment including walking, driving an automobile and lifting (50 pounds) is required.
   
   We will consider for employment all qualified applicants, including those with criminal histories, in a manner consistent with the requirements of applicable state and local laws.

   Copy this example

   

5. Post your job

   There are a few common ways to find protective officers for your business:

   • Promoting internally or recruiting from your existing workforce.
   • Ask for referrals from friends, family members, and current employees.
   • Attend job fairs at local colleges to meet candidates with the right educational background.
   • Use social media platforms like LinkedIn, Facebook, and Twitter to recruit passive job-seekers.

   Post your job online:

   • Post your protective officer job on Zippia to find and recruit protective officer candidates who meet your exact specifications.
   • Use field-specific websites.
   • Post a job on free websites.

6. Interview candidates

   Your first interview with protective officer candidates should focus on their interest in the role and background experience. As the hiring process goes on, you can learn more about how they'd fit into the company culture in later rounds of interviews.

   Remember to include a few questions that allow candidates to expand on their strengths in their own words. Asking about their unique skills might reveal things you'd miss otherwise. At this point, good candidates can move on to the technical interview.

   The right interview questions can help you assess a candidate's hard skills, behavioral intelligence, and soft skills.

7. Send a job offer and onboard your new protective officer

   Once you've selected the best protective officer candidate for the job, it's time to write an offer letter. In addition to salary, this letter should include details about the benefits and perks you offer the candidate. Ensuring that your offer is competitive is essential, as qualified candidates may be considering other job opportunities. The candidate may wish to negotiate the terms of the offer, and you should be open to discussion. After you reach an agreement, the final step is formalizing the agreement with a contract.

   It's also important to follow up with applicants who do not get the job with an email letting them know that the position is filled.

   Once that's done, you can draft an onboarding schedule for the new protective officer. Human Resources should complete Employee Action Forms and ensure that onboarding paperwork is completed, including I-9s, benefits enrollment, federal and state tax forms, etc. They should also ensure that new employee files are created for internal recordkeeping.

8. Go through the hiring process checklist

   • Determine employee type (full-time, part-time, contractor, etc.)
   • Submit a job requisition form to the HR department
   • Define job responsibilities and requirements
   • Establish budget and timeline
   • Determine hiring decision makers for the role
   • Write job description
   • Post job on job boards, company website, etc.
   • Promote the job internally
   • Process applications through applicant tracking system
   • Review resumes and cover letters
   • Shortlist candidates for screening
   • Hold phone/virtual interview screening with first round of candidates
   • Conduct in-person interviews with top candidates from first round
   • Score candidates based on weighted criteria (e.g., experience, education, background, cultural fit, skill set, etc.)
   • Conduct background checks on top candidates
   • Check references of top candidates
   • Consult with HR and hiring decision makers on job offer specifics
   • Extend offer to top candidate(s)
   • Receive formal job offer acceptance and signed employment contract
   • Inform other candidates that the position has been filled
   • Set and communicate onboarding schedule to new hire(s)
   • Complete new hire paperwork (i9, benefits enrollment, tax forms, etc.)

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How much does it cost to hire a protective officer?