How long does the training take?

Typically no schooling after high school, then less than 5 years of related work first. That is the usual route rather than a rule — people arrive by other paths all the time.

Do you need a degree for this work?

No. Most people are hired and trained on the job; a program is optional.

Where can you train for this work?

81 US colleges, community colleges and trade schools award credentials in a matching program. See which ones →

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First-line supervisors of protective service workers, all other: pay, training and the programs that lead there

Protective service · SOC 33-1099

$76,400US median pay, 2025

+1.9%Projected growth, 2025–35

1,700Openings per year

On the jobUsual way in

How you get in

Most people are hired and trained on the job, so school is optional. A program can still help you stand out.

High school diploma or equivalent (a program is optional for this job)
Less than 5 years of experience in a related job
Work in: first-line supervisors of protective service workers, all other

Programs that lead to this job

These are the federal program codes (CIP) that the Department of Education maps to this occupation, and how many US colleges, community colleges or trade schools report awarding credentials in each.

Program	Code	Schools
Cybersecurity Defense Strategy/Policy	CIP 43.0404	40
Securities Services Administration/Management	CIP 43.0112	30
Homeland Security, Other	CIP 43.0399	14
Security Science and Technology, General	CIP 43.0401	1
Cultural/Archaelogical Resources Protection	CIP 43.0123	0

See the 81 schools that offer these programs →

Common questions

How long does the training take?: Typically no schooling after high school, then less than 5 years of related work first. That is the usual route rather than a rule — people arrive by other paths all the time.
How much do first-line supervisors of protective service workers, all other make?: The US median is $76,400 a year, meaning half earn more and half less. Pay varies widely by state, employer and experience.
Do you need a degree for this work?: No. Most people are hired and trained on the job; a program is optional.
Where can you train for this work?: 81 US colleges, community colleges and trade schools award credentials in a matching program. See which ones →

Pay and growth are national figures. What you earn depends on where you work, your employer and your experience, and these are projections rather than promises. Education requirements describe how most people enter the job, not a rule — plenty of people take another route.

Pay, growth, openings and entry requirements: US Bureau of Labor Statistics, Employment Projections 2025–35. Program-to-occupation mapping: NCES CIP–SOC crosswalk (2020/2018). School counts: IPEDS completions, 2022–23.

Related careers in Protective service

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