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Armed Protective Security Officer Salary in the United States

How much does an Armed Protective Security Officer make in the United States?

As of September 01, 2026, the average salary for an Armed Protective Security Officer in the United States is $48,705 per year, which breaks down to an hourly rate of $23.

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

  • Top Earners (90th percentile): $58,183
  • Majority Range (25th-75th percentile): $45,609 to $53,666
  • Entry-Level (10th percentile): $42,790
Salary Factors Salary-Boosting Skills Salary by Experience Related Job Salaries Top Paying Cities Explore Related Jobs

Key Factors That Influence Armed Protective Security Officer Salaries

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

How Do Armed Protective Security Officer 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 Armed Protective Security Officers. For example, consider the average annual salaries in these key locations:
  • District of Columbia: $53,926.
  • California: $53,721.
  • Massachusetts: $53,005.

Top Paying Cities for Armed Protective Security Officers

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: $61,431
  • San Francisco: $60,759
  • Oakland: $59,478

What Skills Can Increase an Armed Protective Security Officer's Salary?

Demanded Skills for the Role:

  • Customer Service (Mentioned in 26.84% 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.
  • First Aid (Mentioned in 4.25% Job Postings): First aid refers to medical attention that is usually administered immediately after the injury occurs and at the location where it occurred.
  • CCTV (Mentioned in 1.47% Job Postings):
Skills Demand Percentage
Customer Service 26.84%
First Aid 4.25%
CCTV 1.47%
See More Skills

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 an Armed Protective Security Officer's salary.

  • Commitment: Can increase your salary by up to 10%.
  • Diversity and Inclusion: Can increase your salary by up to 6%.
  • Problem Solving: Can increase your salary by up to 5%.
Skill Salary Salary % Increase
Commitment $53,575
10%
Diversity and Inclusion $51,627
6%
Problem Solving $51,140
5%
Get Latest Data

Armed Protective Security Officer Salary by Industry: Top Paying Sectors

For Armed Protective Security Officer roles, the industry you choose can affect earning potential by as much as 60% (the gap between the highest and lowest paying industries). Data shows that the Construction and Pharmaceuticals sectors offer the strongest compensation, at 30% above the average. In contrast, Armed Protective Security Officer positions in Edu., Gov't. & Nonprofit or Retail & Wholesale typically offer lower base pay, as these industries often view Armed Protective Security Officer as a support function rather than a direct revenue driver.

The top paying industries for an Armed Protective Security Officer

Industry Sector Average Annual Salary Average Hourly Rate Pay vs.Avg
Construction$63,316$30.030%
Pharmaceuticals$60,881$29.025%
Aerospace & Defense$58,446$28.020%
Business Services$56,011$27.015%
Healthcare$53,575$26.010%

How Education impacts an Armed Protective Security Officer's Salary?

Your level of education can impact your salary potential. While many Armed Protective Security Officers enter the field with a High School Diploma or Technical Certificate degree, higher education can lead to more specialized and higher-paying roles.

According to our 100% employer-reported salary data, the median salary for an Armed Protective Security Officer with a High School Diploma or Technical Certificate is between $45,730 and $48,921).

Armed Protective Security Officer Salaries by Degree Level

Typical Education for Armed Protective Security Officer
Degree Level % of user with this level of education
No Diploma 1.1%
High School 51.6%
Associates 29.0%
Bachelors 12.9%
Masters 4.3%
Doctorate 1.1%
View as Graph

Armed Protective Security Officer Salary: Hourly Rate, Weekly Pay, and Monthly Pay

Understanding how an Armed Protective Security Officer'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 September 01, 2026
$45,609
Average $48,705/year
$53,666
$3,801
Average $4,059/month
$4,472
$877
Average $937/week
$1,032
$22
Average $23/hour
$26
Annual Salary Monthly Pay Weekly Pay Hourly Wage
75th Percentile $53,666 $4,472 $1,032 $26
Average $48,705 $4,059 $937 $23
25th Percentile $45,609 $3,801 $877 $22

Most common benefits for Armed Protective Security Officer

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

Common company salaries for Armed Protective Security Officer

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

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FAQ about Armed Protective Security Officer

1. What industry pays the highest salary for Armed Protective Security Officer?

The Construction industry offers the highest average compensation for Armed Protective Security Officer 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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