Career Explorer Protective services
Human edge, steady
Bailiffs
Maintain order in courts of law.
In the middle of the pack: more resilient than 45% of the 831 careers we score. AI exposure is moderate (the Bureau of Labor Statistics rates it moderate), and US jobs are projected to change by -1.9% by 2035, expected to shrink. The work leans on emotional intelligence and ethical judgement.
AI struggles with much of this work. Hiring is expected to grow slower than average, or to shrink.
- Median pay (2025)
- $56,600
- Job growth to 2035
- -1.9%
- Openings a year
- 1,600
- People doing it (2025)
- 18,000
- Usual route in
- High school diploma, then moderate on-the-job training
Where people already use AI for this work
- Maintain safety or security
- Provide information or assistance to the public
From Microsoft Research, Working with AI (2025).
Work AI rarely helps with
- Notify others of emergencies or problems
- Escort others
- Monitor safety or security of work areas, facilities, or properties
What the work looks like
- Screen persons entering courthouse using magnetometers, x-ray machines, and other devices to collect and retain unauthorized firearms and other contraband.
- Escort prisoners to and from courthouse and maintain custody of prisoners during court proceedings.
- Maintain order in courtroom during trial and guard jury from outside contact.
- Provide security by patrolling interior and exterior of courthouse and escorting judges and other court employees.
- Guard lodging of sequestered jury.
From O*NET 31.0, US Department of Labor.
What the Bureau of Labor Statistics expects
- Fewer of these jobs, as caseloads continue to decline and courts consolidate.
Careers using similar strengths, with a stronger outlook
- Lifeguards, ski patrol, and other recreational protective service workersHuman edge, growing, Index 96, +5.5%
- Pharmacy aidesHuman edge, steady, Index 47, -0.7%
- Security guardsHuman edge, steady, Index 63, +0.9%
- Pharmacy techniciansGrows with AI, Index 56, +6.4%
Also known as: Bailiff, Court Bailiff, Court Officer, Court Security Officer, Court Constable, Court Deputy, Deputy Bailiff, Deputy Court Services Sheriff.
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Sources: US Bureau of Labor Statistics Employment Projections 2025 to 2035; O*NET 31.0; Microsoft Research (2025); Anthropic Economic Index (2026); Eloundou and colleagues (Science, 2024); Felten, Raj and Seamans (2023). How we score. Updated 12 October 2026.