Career Explorer Protective services
Human edge, growing
First-line supervisors of security workers
Directly supervise and coordinate activities of security workers and security guards.
Among the most resilient careers: more resilient than 80% 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 +3.7% by 2035, faster than average. The work leans on ethical judgement and emotional intelligence.
AI struggles with much of this work, and US employers are expected to hire more people into it than average.
- Median pay (2025)
- $55,940
- Job growth to 2035
- +3.7%
- Openings a year
- 6,800
- People doing it (2025)
- 82,700
- Usual route in
- High school diploma
Where people already use AI for this work
- Maintain safety or security
- Explain regulations, policies, or procedures
- Communicate with others about operational plans or activities
From Microsoft Research, Working with AI (2025).
Work AI rarely helps with
- Monitor safety or security of work areas, facilities, or properties
- Operate audiovisual or related equipment
- Maintain operational records
What the work looks like
- Investigate disturbances on the premises, such as security alarms, altercations, and suspicious activity.
- Patrol the premises to prevent or detect intrusion, protect property, or preserve order.
- Monitor and authorize entry of employees, visitors, or other persons.
- Secure entrances and exits by locking doors and gates.
- Write reports documenting observations made while on patrol.
From O*NET 31.0, US Department of Labor.
What the Bureau of Labor Statistics expects
- Fewer of these jobs, as fewer security guards require proportionately fewer first-line supervisors.
Careers using similar strengths, with a stronger outlook
- Forest fire inspectors and prevention specialistsHuman edge, growing, Index 99, +13.1%
- Flight attendantsGrows with AI, Index 84, +8.8%
- First-line supervisors of firefighting and prevention workersHuman edge, growing, Index 85, +3.7%
- Licensed practical and licensed vocational nursesHuman edge, steady, Index 82, +3.0%
Also known as: Security Director, Security Shift Supervisor, Security Supervisor, Shift Supervisor, Campus Safety Chief, Public Safety Manager, Public Safety Supervisor, Security Chief.
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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.