Protective Service Worker Salary in 2026
How Much Do Protective Service Workers Make?
Protective Service Workers earn a median annual salary of $41,600 as of 2026, based on BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) data. Wages span from $30,620 at the 10th percentile to $72,670 at the 90th percentile — a range of $42,050. The highest-paying state is District of Columbia at $84,360.
| Percentile | Annual salary |
|---|---|
| 10th percentile | $30,620 |
| 25th percentile | $35,540 |
| Median (50th) | $41,600 |
| 75th percentile | $54,310 |
| 90th percentile | $72,670 |
Protective Service Worker Salary by State
Median annual salary across all 50 states. Click a column to sort.
| State | Median salary |
|---|---|
| District of Columbiatop | $84,360 |
| New Hampshire | $83,510 |
| New Mexico | $66,640 |
| Rhode Island | $64,140 |
| Hawaii | $60,900 |
| New York | $59,830 |
| Maryland | $55,870 |
| Wisconsin | $55,660 |
| Nevada | $55,440 |
| Alaska | $55,370 |
| North Dakota | $53,480 |
| Nebraska | $53,350 |
| Missouri | $50,230 |
| Michigan | $49,670 |
| Arizona | $49,590 |
| Utah | $49,000 |
| Massachusetts | $47,840 |
| New Jersey | $47,370 |
| Mississippi | $46,800 |
| West Virginia | $46,760 |
| Wyoming | $46,520 |
| Minnesota | $46,190 |
| Florida | $45,700 |
| Idaho | $45,590 |
| Tennessee | $44,900 |
| Oregon | $44,590 |
| Georgia | $44,540 |
| Maine | $44,450 |
| Kansas | $44,250 |
| Oklahoma | $43,990 |
| Indiana | $43,570 |
| Colorado | $42,510 |
| South Dakota | $42,480 |
| Washington | $42,310 |
| North Carolina | $42,120 |
| Ohio | $41,730 |
| South Carolina | $41,600 |
| Iowa | $41,420 |
| Kentucky | $40,910 |
| Louisiana | $40,810 |
| Connecticut | $40,590 |
| California | $39,690 |
| Montana | $39,560 |
| Vermont | $39,560 |
| Delaware | $38,100 |
| Arkansas | $36,400 |
| Illinois | $35,520 |
| Pennsylvania | $35,260 |
| Alabama | $32,910 |
| Texas | $32,910 |
| Virginia | $32,080 |
Highest-Paying Metros for Protective Service Workers
Protective Service Worker Salary by Experience
Estimated salary ranges derived from BLS wage percentiles. Entry level corresponds to P10–P25, mid-career to the median, experienced to P75, and senior to P90+.
| Experience level | Estimated salary |
|---|---|
| Entry level (0–2 yrs) | ~$30,620 – $35,540 |
| Mid career (3–7 yrs) | ~$41,600 |
| Experienced (8–15 yrs) | ~$54,310 |
| Senior (15+ yrs) | $72,670+ |
How to Earn More as a Protective Service Worker
Location is the single biggest salary lever: Protective Service Workers in Albuquerque, NM earn $100,210 — $58,610 above the national median. Earning an additional certification or completing a bachelor's degree can push your salary from the median toward the 75th percentile. Reaching the 75th percentile ($54,310) typically requires 5–10 years of experience plus specialization in a high-demand area.
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SOC: 33-9099.00 · Data: BLS OEWS 2026, O*NET 29.1 · Salary figures are national medians unless otherwise noted.