Protective Security Specialist Salary in the United States

How much does a Protective Security Specialist make in the United States?

As of May 18, 2021, the average salary for a Protective Security Specialist in the United States is $65,315 per year, which breaks down to an hourly rate of $31.

However, a Protective Security Specialist's salary can vary significantly. Here’s a look at the typical salary range:

  • Top Earners (90th percentile): $95,288
  • Majority Range (25th-75th percentile): $59,944 to $81,004
  • Entry-Level (10th percentile): $55,053
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View as table View as graph 25% $59,944 10% $55,053 90% $95,288 75% $81,004 $65,315 50%(Median) Didn’t find job title? Click

Protective Security Specialist Salaries by Percentile

Annual
Salary
Monthly
Pay
Weekly
Pay
Hourly
Wage
75th Percentile $81,004 $6,750 $1,558 $39
Average $65,315 $5,443 $1,256 $31
25th Percentile $59,944 $4,995 $1,153 $29
Check out Protective Security Specialist Job Openings in the United States
CYBER SECURITY SPECIALIST

Robert Half - Hamilton, OH

Contract Specialist

Solutions Through Innovative Technologies, Inc. - Dayton, OH

Journeyman IT Technology Specialist

Aeyon - Dayton, OH

Senior IT Technology Specialist

Aeyon - Dayton, OH

Search More Protective Security Specialist Jobs in the United States

Key Factors That Influence Protective Security Specialist Salaries

A Protective Security Specialist's salary isn't a fixed number. It's shaped by several important factors. Below, we'll explore how your years of experience, geographic location, education and company size can directly affect your earning potential.

How Experience Level Affects Protective Security Specialist Salaries?

Experience is a primary driver of a Protective Security Specialist's salary. As you build your skills and take on more complex tasks, your compensation generally increases. Here's how the average salary grows at different career stages:

  • Entry-Level (less than 1 year): $63,194
  • Early Career (1-2 years): $85,777
  • Mid-Level (2-4 years): $68,230
  • Senior-Level (5-8 years): $89,806
  • Expert (over 8 years): $105,149
Levels Salary
Protectiv... Level Protective Security Specialist$63,194
Senior Se... Level Protective Security Specialist$85,777
Security ... Level Protective Security Specialist$68,230
Security ... Level Protective Security Specialist$89,806
Security ... Level Protective Security Specialist$105,149
$63,194 0 yr
$85,777 < 2 yrs
$68,230 2-4 yrs
$89,806 5-8 yrs
$105,149 > 8 yrs
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What Am I Worth?

How Do Protective Security Specialist Salaries Vary from State to State?

Your salary can change significantly depending on where you work. States with a higher cost of living and strong industrial sectors often pay more to attract Protective Security Specialists. For example, consider the average annual salaries in these key locations:

  • District of Columbia: $72,317.
  • California: $72,043.
  • Massachusetts: $71,083.

Top Paying Cities for Protective Security Specialists

Salaries can also vary between different cities. Major metropolitan areas or cities with a high demand for technicians often offer more competitive pay. Here are a few examples of average annual salaries in different U.S. cities:

  • San Jose: $82,382
  • San Francisco: $81,572
  • Oakland: $79,763

What Skills Can Increase a Protective Security Specialist's Salary?

Demanded Skills for the Role:

  • Customer Service (Mentioned in 11.09% Job Postings): Customer service is the provision of service to customers before, during and after a purchase. The perception of success of such interactions is dependent on employees "who can adjust themselves to the personality of the guest". Customer service concerns the priority an organization assigns to customer service relative to components such as product innovation and pricing. In this sense, an organization that values good customer service may spend more money in training employees than the average organization or may proactively interview customers for feedback. From the point of view of an overall sales process engineering effort, customer service plays an important role in an organization's ability to generate income and revenue. From that perspective, customer service should be included as part of an overall approach to systematic improvement. One good customer service experience can change the entire perception a customer holds towards the organization.
  • Case Management (Mentioned in 2.46% Job Postings): Connecting patients with suitable healthcare providers, resources, and services to ensure they receive optimal, cost-effective care.
  • Sales and Marketing (Mentioned in 1.64% Job Postings): Marketing consists of the strategies your company employs to generate interest in your business. Sales are the methods by which you convert that interest into a transaction.
See More Skills
Skills Demand Percentage
Customer Service 11.09%
Case Management 2.46%
Sales and Marketing 1.64%
What skills can make your compensation higher?
Mastering certain specialized skills can lead to a significant increase in pay. Here are examples of skills and the potential impact they can have on a Protective Security Specialist's salary.
  • Collaboration: Can increase your salary by up to 9%.
  • Analysis: Can increase your salary by up to 8%.
  • Presentation: Can increase your salary by up to 8%.
Skill Salary Salary % Increase
Collaboration
$71,194
9%
Analysis
$70,540
8%
Presentation
$70,540
8%
Project Management
$69,887
7%
Initiative
$69,887
7%
Time Management
$69,234
6%
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How Education impacts a Protective Security Specialist's Salary?

Your level of education can impact your salary potential. While many Protective Security Specialists enter the field with a Associate's Degree degree, higher education can lead to more specialized and higher-paying roles.

According to our 100% employer-reported salary data, the median salary for a Protective Security Specialist with a Associate's Degree is between $64,745 and $71,842).

Protective Security Specialist Salaries by Degree Level

Typical Education for Protective Security Specialist
Degree Level % of user with this level of education
No Diploma 25.0%
High School 25.0%
Associates 6.3%
Bachelors 56.3%
Masters 12.5%
Doctorate 0.0%
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Protective Security Specialist Salary: Hourly Rate, Weekly Pay, and Monthly Pay

Understanding how a Protective Security Specialist's annual salary breaks down can help with budgeting. Below, you can see the average hourly rate, weekly pay, and monthly pay for this role. Use the buttons to switch between different pay periods.

Last Updated on May 18, 2021

Salary Trends for Protective Security Specialist

Salaries for a Protective Security Specialist can change over time, reflecting shifts in market demand and the overall economy. The median salary decreased from $55,236 in 2023 to around $54,883 in 2025, reflecting changes in demand, location, experience, and the wider economy. For a detailed analysis of Protective Security Specialist salary trends, .

Average Annual Salary of Protective Security Specialist Over Time

2022
$???
2023
$55,236
2024
$55,113
2025
$54,883
2026
$???
2027
$???
Year Average Annual Salary
2022
View More
2023 $55,236
2024 $55,113
2025 $54,883
2026
View More
2027
View More

Most common benefits for Protective Security Specialist

Social Security
401(k)
Disability
Healthcare
Pension
Time Off (days)
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Common company salaries for Protective Security Specialist

Here are companies hiring for Protective Security Specialist and their salaries, click below for more details.

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Where Does Our Salary Data Come From?

Salary.com provides salary estimates, histograms, trends, and comparisons using data from employer job postings and third-party sources.

We offer detailed salary information across multiple percentiles for your reference. (Click here to learn Why the Salary Midpoint Formula Is Crucial for Achieving Pay Equity.)

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