Protection Specialist Salary in the United States

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

As of August 01, 2026, the average salary for a Protection Specialist in the United States is $66,021 per year, which breaks down to an hourly rate of $32.

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

  • Top Earners (90th percentile): $96,014
  • Majority Range (25th-75th percentile): $61,360 to $81,721
  • Entry-Level (10th percentile): $57,116
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View as table View as graph 25% $61,360 10% $57,116 90% $96,014 75% $81,721 $66,021 50%(Median) Didn’t find job title? Click

Protection Specialist Salaries by Percentile

Annual
Salary
Monthly
Pay
Weekly
Pay
Hourly
Wage
75th Percentile $81,721 $6,810 $1,572 $39
Average $66,021 $5,502 $1,270 $32
25th Percentile $61,360 $5,113 $1,180 $29
Check out Protection Specialist Job Openings in the United States
Store Protection Specialist

Ross Stores - Columbus, OH

Store Protection Specialist

Ross Stores, Inc. - Columbus, OH

Fire Protection QA QC Specialist

TP Mechanical Contractors - Columbus, OH

Asset Protection Specialist Whitehall Ohio United States

Green Thumb Industries INC - Columbus, OH

Search More Protection Specialist Jobs in the United States

Key Factors That Influence Protection Specialist Salaries

A 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 Protection Specialist Salaries?

Experience is a primary driver of a 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): $64,867
  • Early Career (1-2 years): $87,883
  • Mid-Level (2-4 years): $70,114
  • Senior-Level (5-8 years): $92,085
  • Expert (over 8 years): $107,801
Levels Salary
Protectio... Level Protection Specialist$64,867
Senior Se... Level Protection Specialist$87,883
Security ... Level Protection Specialist$70,114
Security ... Level Protection Specialist$92,085
Security ... Level Protection Specialist$107,801
$64,867 0 yr
$87,883 < 2 yrs
$70,114 2-4 yrs
$92,085 5-8 yrs
$107,801 > 8 yrs
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What Am I Worth?

How Do 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 Protection Specialists. For example, consider the average annual salaries in these key locations:

  • District of Columbia: $73,098.
  • California: $72,821.
  • Massachusetts: $71,851.

Top Paying Cities for 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: $83,272
  • San Francisco: $82,361
  • Oakland: $80,625

What Skills Can Increase a Protection 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 Protection Specialist's salary.
  • Category Management: Can increase your salary by up to 59%.
  • Customer Engagement: Can increase your salary by up to 26%.
  • Brand Awareness: Can increase your salary by up to 18%.
Skill Salary Salary % Increase
Category Management
$104,973
59%
Customer Engagement
$83,186
26%
Brand Awareness
$77,905
18%
Services Marketing
$75,924
15%
Sales and Marketing
$75,924
15%
Collaboration
$71,963
9%
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Protection Specialist Salary by Industry: Top Paying Sectors

For Protection Specialist roles, the industry you choose can affect earning potential by as much as 90% (the gap between the highest and lowest paying industries). Data shows that the Software & Networking and Financial Services sectors offer the strongest compensation, at 54% above the average. In contrast, Protection Specialist positions in Hospitality & Leisure or Retail & Wholesale typically offer lower base pay, as these industries often view Protection Specialist as a support function rather than a direct revenue driver.

The top paying industries for a Protection Specialist

Industry Sector Average Annual Salary Average Hourly Rate Pay vs.Avg
Software & Networking$101,672$49.054%
Financial Services$95,070$46.044%
Pharmaceuticals$88,468$43.034%
Aerospace & Defense$81,866$39.024%
Internet$78,565$38.019%

How Education impacts a Protection Specialist's Salary?

Your level of education can impact your salary potential. While many Protection 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 Protection Specialist with a Associate's Degree is between $64,745 and $71,842).

Protection Specialist Salaries by Degree Level

Typical Education for Protection 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%
view as graph

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

Understanding how a 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 August 01, 2026

Salary Trends for Protection Specialist

Salaries for a Protection Specialist can change over time, reflecting shifts in market demand and the overall economy. The median salary decreased from $56,620 in 2023 to around $56,257 in 2025, reflecting changes in demand, location, experience, and the wider economy. For a detailed analysis of Protection Specialist salary trends, .

Average Annual Salary of Protection Specialist Over Time

2022
$???
2023
$56,620
2024
$56,493
2025
$56,257
2026
$???
2027
$???
Year Average Annual Salary
2022
View More
2023 $56,620
2024 $56,493
2025 $56,257
2026
View More
2027
View More

Most common benefits for Protection Specialist

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

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

Find Your Next Protection Specialist Job

Ready to take the next step in your career? Browse thousands of current Protection Specialist job openings on our job board. Use the search bar below to find your perfect match.

United States
  • MD Staff, LLC

    Columbus, OH

    MD Staff, LLC | Columbus, OH

    Emergency Medicine Physician Needed near Columbus, Ohio. An excellent opportunity for a full-time EM Physician to join an Emergency Department team near Co... more

    1 Day Ago

  • Continuum Medical Staffing

    Columbus, OH

    Continuum Medical Staffing | Columbus, OH

    PSYCHIATRIST- CHILD/ADOLESCENT COLUMBUS OHIO We are seeking a Board-Certified Child/ Adolescent Psychiatrist for a permanent position in Columbus Ohio No V... more

    2 Days Ago

  • MD Staff, LLC

    Columbus, OH

    MD Staff, LLC | Columbus, OH

    Neurologist Locum Tenens Opportunity Near Columbus, OH. We are excited to offer a rewarding locum tenens opportunity for a Board Certified or Board Eligibl... more

    2 Days Ago

  • C.R. England

    Columbus, OH

    C.R. England | Columbus, OH

    Job Description. C.R. England is Now Urgently Hiring Local Dedicated CDL-A Truck Drivers. \n. Dedicated Local Fleet - Home Daily - Competitive Pay* - Full ... more

    14 Days Ago

  • Confidential

    Columbus, OH

    Confidential | Columbus, OH

    Vice President, Credit Risk Strategy & Data Science. About the Company. High-growth SMB lender building the next generation of credit decisioning. Industry... more

    14 Days Ago

  • KreilKamp Trucking

    Columbus, OH

    KreilKamp Trucking | Columbus, OH

    Regional CDL A Drivers | NEW Grads Welcome | Earn $70,000+ Annually. We're proud to be a 4th generation family truck line, started in 1935, but even proude... more

    14 Days Ago

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FAQ about Protection Specialist

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

The Software & Networking industry offers the highest average compensation for Protection Specialist roles, with salaries approximately 54% 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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