Explore jobs
Find specific jobs
Explore careers
Explore professions
Best companies
Explore companies
The differences between protective officers and unarmed security officers 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 $31,496 average annual salary of an unarmed security officer.
The top three skills for a protective officer include customer service, emergency situations and patrol. The most important skills for an unarmed security officer are patrol, customer service, and unarmed security.
| Protective Officer | Unarmed Security Officer | |
| Yearly salary | $40,529 | $31,496 |
| Hourly rate | $19.49 | $15.14 |
| Growth rate | 3% | 3% |
| Number of jobs | 103,885 | 121,723 |
| Job satisfaction | - | - |
| 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.
An unarmed security officer is primarily responsible for securing an establishment and maintaining the safety of people within the premises. They are typically in charge of conducting patrols, monitoring surveillance cameras and alarm systems, responding to distress reports, keeping an eye on suspicious activities and behaviors, and coordinating with the law enforcement should there be any emergencies. An unarmed security officer may also assist clients and respond to inquiries, all while maintaining a safe and worry-free environment for everyone.
Protective officers and unarmed security officers have different pay scales, as shown below.
| Protective Officer | Unarmed Security Officer | |
| Average salary | $40,529 | $31,496 |
| Salary range | Between $28,000 And $58,000 | Between $24,000 And $41,000 |
| Highest paying City | New York, NY | Eagan, MN |
| Highest paying state | Alaska | Alaska |
| Best paying company | National Security | Inter-Con Security Systems |
| Best paying industry | Professional | Utilities |
There are a few differences between a protective officer and an unarmed security officer in terms of educational background:
| Protective Officer | Unarmed Security Officer | |
| 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 unarmed security officers' demographics:
| Protective Officer | Unarmed Security Officer | |
| Average age | 43 | 43 |
| Gender ratio | Male, 81.0% Female, 19.0% | Male, 65.0% Female, 35.0% |
| 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, 16.7% Unknown, 5.3% Hispanic or Latino, 16.5% Asian, 5.8% White, 54.1% American Indian and Alaska Native, 1.6% |
| LGBT Percentage | 6% | 6% |