Target Protection Specialist Salary in the United States

How much does a Target Protection Specialist make in the United States?

As of October 01, 2026, the average salary for a Target Protection Specialist in the United States is $38,438 per year, which breaks down to an hourly rate of $18.

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

  • Top Earners (90th percentile): $46,457
  • Majority Range (25th-75th percentile): $34,135 to $42,636
  • Entry-Level (10th percentile): $30,217

Key Factors That Influence Target Protection Specialist Salaries

A Target Protection 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 Target Protection Specialist Salaries?

Experience is a primary driver of a Target Protection 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): $38,019
  • Early Career (1-2 years): $38,318
  • Mid-Level (2-4 years): $38,916
  • Senior-Level (5-8 years): $39,806
  • Expert (over 8 years): $41,019
Levels Salary
Entry Level Target Protection Specialist$38,019
Intermediate Level Target Protection Specialist$38,318
Senior Level Target Protection Specialist$38,916
Specialist Level Target Protection Specialist$39,806
Expert Level Target Protection Specialist$41,019

How Do Target Protection 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 Target Protection Specialists. For example, consider the average annual salaries in these key locations:
  • District of Columbia: $42,558.
  • California: $42,397.
  • Massachusetts: $41,832.

Top Paying Cities for Target Protection 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: $48,482
  • San Francisco: $47,951
  • Oakland: $46,940

What Skills Can Increase a Target Protection Specialist's Salary?

Demanded Skills for the Role:

  • Commitment (Mentioned in 8.4% Job Postings): An agreement or pledge to do something in the future a commitment to improve conditions at the prison especially : an engagement to assume a financial obligation at a future date.
  • Food Service (Mentioned in 3.6% Job Postings): The foodservice or catering industry includes the businesses, institutions, and companies which prepare meals outside the home.
  • Safety Regulations (Mentioned in 1.59% Job Postings): Regulations or rules that are put in place to ensure a product, event, etc., is safe and not dangerous.
Skills Demand Percentage
Commitment 8.4%
Food Service 3.6%
Safety Regulations 1.59%

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 Target Protection Specialist's salary.

  • Commitment: Can increase your salary by up to 19%.
  • Coaching: Can increase your salary by up to 10%.
  • Merchandising: Can increase your salary by up to 8%.
Skill Salary Salary % Increase
Commitment $45,741
19%
Coaching $42,282
10%
Merchandising $41,513
8%

Target Protection Specialist Salary by Industry: Top Paying Sectors

For Target Protection Specialist roles, the industry you choose can affect earning potential by as much as 50% (the gap between the highest and lowest paying industries). Data shows that the Pharmaceuticals and Software & Networking sectors offer the strongest compensation, at 30% above the average. In contrast, Target Protection Specialist positions in Retail & Wholesale or Edu., Gov't. & Nonprofit typically offer lower base pay, as these industries often view Target Protection Specialist as a support function rather than a direct revenue driver.

The top paying industries for a Target Protection Specialist

Industry Sector Average Annual Salary Average Hourly Rate Pay vs.Avg
Pharmaceuticals$49,969$24.030%
Software & Networking$48,047$23.025%
Construction$46,125$22.020%
Energy & Utilities$44,203$21.015%
Business Services$42,282$20.010%

How Education impacts a Target Protection Specialist's Salary?

Your level of education can impact your salary potential. While many Target Protection Specialists enter the field with a No Diploma 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 Target Protection Specialist with a No Diploma is between $38,281 and $41,120).

Target Protection Specialist Salaries by Degree Level

Typical Education for Target Protection Specialist
Degree Level % of user with this level of education
No Diploma 2.3%
High School 43.4%
Associates 37.6%
Bachelors 15.7%
Masters 0.6%
Doctorate 0.3%

Target Protection Specialist Salary: Hourly Rate, Weekly Pay, and Monthly Pay

Understanding how a Target Protection 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 October 01, 2026
$34,135
Average $38,438/year
$42,636
$2,845
Average $3,203/month
$3,553
$656
Average $739/week
$820
$16
Average $18/hour
$20
Annual Salary Monthly Pay Weekly Pay Hourly Wage
75th Percentile $42,636 $3,553 $820 $20
Average $38,438 $3,203 $739 $18
25th Percentile $34,135 $2,845 $656 $16

Most common benefits for Target Protection Specialist

  • Social Security
  • 401 (k)
  • Disability
  • Healthcare
  • Pension
  • Time Off (days)

Common company salaries for Target Protection Specialist

Here are companies hiring for Target Protection Specialist and their salaries, click below for more details.

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FAQ about Target Protection Specialist

1. What industry pays the highest salary for Target Protection Specialist?

The Pharmaceuticals industry offers the highest average compensation for Target Protection Specialist roles, with salaries approximately 30% above the market median.

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.)

With the most extensive online, real-time compensation data available, Salary.com helps you pinpoint your exact pay target.

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