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The differences between protective officers and security guards can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. Additionally, a protective officer has an average salary of $40,529, which is higher than the $31,983 average annual salary of a security guard.
The top three skills for a protective officer include customer service, emergency situations and patrol. The most important skills for a security guard are customer service, patrol, and ladders.
| Protective Officer | Security Guard | |
| Yearly salary | $40,529 | $31,983 |
| Hourly rate | $19.49 | $15.38 |
| Growth rate | 3% | 3% |
| Number of jobs | 103,885 | 101,728 |
| Job satisfaction | - | 4 |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 38% | High School Diploma, 42% |
| Average age | 43 | 43 |
| Years of experience | - | - |
A protective officer is in charge of preventing theft and damages in stores and other establishments. Among their responsibilities include monitoring alarm systems and surveillance cameras, patrolling areas, keeping an eye on suspicious activities and behavior, developing strategies to enforce security protocols, and responding to distress. There are also instances where they must conduct inspections and produce reports. Furthermore, as a protective officer, it is essential to coordinate with law enforcement should the situation require.
Security guards are responsible for maintaining and ensuring the peace and safety of the building they are assigned to. They ensure that everyone who enters the building has official business to be done in the building. They are also in charge of patrolling and monitoring activities within the area. Security guards are also tasked to immobilize anyone who seems to pose a threat to the peace and safety of the building. They are also responsible for preventing any untoward incidences or crimes that may happen in the area. Security guards must be observant and alert to be able to succeed in their roles.
Protective officers and security guards have different pay scales, as shown below.
| Protective Officer | Security Guard | |
| Average salary | $40,529 | $31,983 |
| Salary range | Between $28,000 And $58,000 | Between $25,000 And $40,000 |
| Highest paying City | New York, NY | Lakewood, WA |
| Highest paying state | Alaska | Hawaii |
| Best paying company | National Security | Basin Electric Power Cooperative |
| Best paying industry | Professional | Utilities |
There are a few differences between a protective officer and a security guard in terms of educational background:
| Protective Officer | Security Guard | |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 38% | High School Diploma, 42% |
| Most common major | Criminal Justice | Criminal Justice |
| Most common college | - | - |
Here are the differences between protective officers' and security guards' demographics:
| Protective Officer | Security Guard | |
| Average age | 43 | 43 |
| Gender ratio | Male, 81.0% Female, 19.0% | Male, 72.0% Female, 28.0% |
| Race ratio | Black or African American, 14.5% Unknown, 5.3% Hispanic or Latino, 19.6% Asian, 5.6% White, 53.4% American Indian and Alaska Native, 1.6% | Black or African American, 12.7% Unknown, 5.3% Hispanic or Latino, 21.0% Asian, 5.3% White, 54.0% American Indian and Alaska Native, 1.6% |
| LGBT Percentage | 6% | 6% |