Why would anyone want to work in any protective service position?
Someone must do it, so it might as well be you if you feel destined for this demanding career track.
You probably won’t have to worry about finding a job no matter what occupational subset you choose for this field.
Many possibilities await you.
1. Corrections Officer
Why Become a Corrections Officer?
If you want to stop people from becoming repeat offenders, you can make a difference as a corrections officer.
You could shape programs that motivate them to improve their lives and stay out of trouble.
Maybe they’ll even reach their utmost dreams and goals because of you or achieve levels of emotional, mental, or physical stability they never thought they could.
The need for someone in this occupation might drop by about 7 percent, but don’t let that stop you if it’s what you want to do.
You can make more than $50,000 per year.
| Corrections Officer Key Stats | |
|---|---|
| Avg. Salary / year | $53,420 |
| Avg. Pay / hour | $25.69 |
| Education | 0-6 Months |
| Outlook | -7% |
Read the full career guide: How to Become a Corrections Officer
2. Fire Inspector
Why Become a Fire Inspector?
You’d like this job if you care about fire safety but don’t feel qualified to become a firefighter.
The primary responsibility centers on building examinations that determine compliance with local, state, and federal guidelines.
With a 24 percent need increase from 2021-2029, you shouldn’t have a problem securing a position as a fire inspector.
You might have to attend school for about 3-4 years beyond high school, but you’ll earn at least $64,000.
The Bureau of Labor Statistics reports the median annual salary for related positions as about $62,120 or $29.87 per hour.
| Fire Inspector Key Stats | |
|---|---|
| Avg. Salary / year | $69,680 |
| Avg. Pay / hour | $33.50 |
| Education | 3-4 Years |
| Outlook | 24% |
Read the full career guide: How to Become a Fire Inspector
3. Firefighter
Why Become a Firefighter?
You could call the “firefighter” job title one of the noblest professions in the world.
It also will keep you in shape because you’re going to constantly move when putting out fires or rescuing people and pets.
Your primary role as a firefighter would be served, but the $54,650 you would make per year would support you and your household after about 2-4 years of school.
The need may increase by about 7 percent within 10 years as of 2021.
| Firefighter Key Stats | |
|---|---|
| Avg. Salary / year | $55,290 |
| Avg. Pay / hour | $26.58 |
| Education | 2-4 Years |
| Outlook | 7.2% |
Read the full career guide: How to Become a Firefighter
4. Police Detective
Why Become a Police Detective?
You can become a police detective to help you gain officer experience.
However, this position may also require similar academy training as would becoming a part of a local law enforcement team.
If you have a passion for research and mysteries, this job might suit you.
You can make about $86,000 a year after about 3-4 years of college, and the need may increase by at least 3 percent this coming decade (after 2021).
| Police Detective Key Stats | |
|---|---|
| Avg. Salary / year | $90,370 |
| Avg. Pay / hour | $43.45 |
| Education | 3-4 Years |
| Outlook | 3% |
Read the full career guide: How to Become a Police Detective
5. Security Officer
Why Become a Security Officer?
The highest level of security officer works in a government position.
You could, for instance, control cybersecurity or remain on guard in classified federal facilities.
Not many people in this world qualify for these types of jobs because they require the employment of trustworthy individuals.
The annual salary averages at the federal level could total more than $100,000 per year.
You also can find entry-level jobs at local establishments that pay an annual wage of 33,000.
The minimum amount of schooling to start typically is only about six months.
However, you could seek police science training or seek other advanced certifications to open up higher-paying opportunities.
Outlook reports indicate a 4 percent increase of open security positions within 10 years.
| Security Officer Key Stats | |
|---|---|
| Avg. Salary / year | $35,830 |
| Avg. Pay / hour | $17.23 |
| Education | 0-6 Months |
| Outlook | 4% |
Read the full career guide: How to Become a Security Officer
6. Body Guard
Why Become a Body Guard?
Maybe you have a dream of meeting a favorite celebrity one day.
Becoming a bodyguard might be one way to do it.
However, you shouldn’t take this role lightly.
Famous people often receive threats or experience bouts of theft from burglars and always have to watch where they go in public – if they can even walk down the street without the paparazzi after them.
You’d become the physical counterpart of a public relations specialist, but you might sometimes have to physically defend people.
In many ways, you’d act like a police officer.
You wouldn’t get paid as much as in other careers, (average starting salary about $33,000 per year), but there’s a 4% increase in open positions predicted.
Perhaps you’ll get paid more than this, depending on who you protect.
To start, you need about 2-4 years of schooling but could also try security guard training first, which you could do on the job.
| Body Guard Key Stats | |
|---|---|
| Avg. Salary / year | $35,830 |
| Avg. Pay / hour | $17.23 |
| Education | 2-4 Years |
| Outlook | 4% |
Read the full career guide: How to Become a Body Guard
7. Private Investigator
Why Become a Private Investigator?
Becoming a private investigator might provide you more freedom than working in a police department if you work independently.
However, you’ll still need to secure proper licensing and seek training, which typically takes 2-4 years.
For some positions, you might gain on-the-job experience and work from there.
You can make about $76,000-$87,000 per year, and the increased openings outlook totals about 3 percent within the next 10 years.
| Private Investigator Key Stats | |
|---|---|
| Avg. Salary / year | $60,970 |
| Avg. Pay / hour | $29.31 |
| Education | 4+ Years |
| Outlook | 8% |
Read the full career guide: How to Become a Private Investigator
8. Police Officer
Why Become a Police Officer?
If you aspire to make the world safe and want to stop criminals in their tracks, this job’s for you.
Becoming a police officer requires much time and energy, but it also has its rewards.
Not all cops have to chase dangerous people or drug dealers all day, however.
You might just be assigned a traffic corner or perform administrative duties.
You can decide the risk level you’re willing to take while employed in law enforcement and could make about $67,600 a year as a police officer.
The need within 10 years may increase by about 5 percent. Some positions, such as community cops, might only require a year of schooling.
Others would take about 3-4 years.
| Police Officer Key Stats | |
|---|---|
| Avg. Salary / year | $70,750 |
| Avg. Pay / hour | $34.02 |
| Education | 4+ Years |
| Outlook | 5% |
Read the full career guide: How to Become a Police Officer
9. Crime Scene Investigator
Why Become a Crime Scene Investigator?
You might feel the satisfaction of solving crimes that could find perpetrators guilty and achieve justice for the victims.
This position connects you with law enforcement teams, and you could operate on your own or with a department.
An estimated 3-5 years of training will make you an expert in the forensics field of your choice, and you could make more than $86,000 per year.
A 3 percent increase in openings could occur in about a decade.
| Crime Scene Investigator Key Stats | |
|---|---|
| Avg. Salary / year | $90,370 |
| Avg. Pay / hour | $43.45 |
| Education | 4+ Years |
| Outlook | 14% |
Read the full career guide: How to Become a Crime Scene Investigator
10. Cop
Why Become a Cop?
| Cop Key Stats | |
|---|---|
| Avg. Salary / year | $70,750 |
| Avg. Pay / hour | $34.02 |
| Education | 1-2 Years |
| Outlook | 5% |
Read the full career guide: How to Become a Cop
