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Boston Career Explorer

Protective Service

Protective Service Workers, All Other

All protective service workers not listed separately.

Also called: Asset Protection Associate (APA), Loss Prevention Agent, Loss Prevention Associate (LPA), Loss Prevention Detective, Loss Prevention Investigator, Loss Prevention Officer

Median pay in Greater Boston
$52,170
$25.08/hr
Jobs in Greater Boston
420
Massachusetts 2024–2034
+7.7%
140 openings a year
Typical U.S. entry requirement
High school diploma or equivalent
plus Short-term on-the-job training

Greater Boston: Boston-Cambridge-Newton, MA-NH metro area, May 2025. Growth and openings: Massachusetts statewide projection.

Pay range in Greater Boston

Yearly pay in Greater Boston by percentile
10th25thMedian75th90th
$35,050$45,680$52,170$60,320$79,150

10% of workers earn less than the first figure and 10% earn more than the last.

AI and this job

AI exposure: how much of this job’s work AI tools can do or help with, based on national research. It is not a forecast of job loss.

Moderate exposure50 of 100

The index averages three national research measures, each shown as a percentile of all jobs:

  • AIOE 48
  • Language-model AIOE 47
  • GPTs-are-GPTs 55

Observed AI use today: Some (Anthropic Economic Index)

This is a catch-all group, so the tasks vary by job. AI exposure is moderate, and observed AI use is some. AI tools may help with information tasks like reports, records, and monitoring. Protecting people, responding to problems, and using judgment in person are likely to remain with workers.

Likely to change

  • Reports and record keeping
  • Sorting and reviewing information

Still relies on people

  • Protecting people and responding in person
  • Judgment in tense or unusual situations

Written with AI from the data on this page. Check with a career coach before making a decision.

Next steps from here

Related jobs that build on what you already do.

  • Police and Sheriff's Patrol Officers

    Public safety and emergency response skills carry over. This job pays about $78,180 in Boston and typically needs a high school diploma plus on-the-job training.

    Pay difference
    +$26,010 median
    AI exposure
    Lower
    MA growth
    +4.7%
    To get started
    High school diploma or equivalent
  • Firefighters

    Emergency response and protecting people carry over. This job pays about $73,990 in Boston, with long-term training and a postsecondary nondegree award.

    Pay difference
    +$21,820 median
    AI exposure
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    MA growth
    +4.4%
    To get started
    Postsecondary nondegree award
  • Bailiffs

    Security screening and keeping order carry over. This job pays about $79,570 in Boston and typically needs a high school diploma.

    Pay difference
    +$27,400 median
    AI exposure
    Moderate
    MA growth
    +1.4%
    To get started
    High school diploma or equivalent

Training near Boston

College and school programs in the Boston metro area that lead to this job, with 2023-24 completions (IPEDS).

No college programs near Boston map to this job. Many people enter through on-the-job training or apprenticeship.

Talk to a career coach at the Office of Workforce Development about apprenticeships and City partner programs.

Related occupations

Talk to a career coach

A coach at the Office of Workforce Development can help you plan your next step, and connect you with training, apprenticeships and City partner programs that are not listed here.

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