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Protective Service Workers, All Other

The short answer

Parts of this job are expected to change. AI can already assist with some of its tasks. In New York State, the number of these jobs is expected to grow over the next decade, with about 566 openings expected each year.

Step 1

Where your job stands

Compared with other New York jobs, this one is in the middle fifth for how much AI could touch it—right around the middle.

How much AI could touch this job

Middleband 3 of 5
least exposedmost exposed

Looking at the job itself, AI could help with about a third of this job's tasks.

What this means

Compared with other New York jobs, this one is in the middle fifth, out of 656 jobs we could rank. Read more in the methodology.

Step 2

What AI can and can’t help with in this job

The score comes from the real, day-to-day tasks of this job—not a guess about the job as a whole. Below are the tasks that matter most in this job, split by whether AI can help with them.

AI can help with or automate about 67% of the tasks in this job.

Tasks AI can help with or automate

  1. Investigate known or suspected internal theft, external theft, or vendor fraud.

    AI could help, but needs extra software

  2. Implement or monitor processes to reduce property or financial losses.

    AI could help, but needs extra software

  3. Identify and report merchandise or stock shortages.

    AI could help, but needs extra software

  4. Maintain documentation or reports on security-related incidents or investigations.

    AI could do much of this on its own

  5. Identify and report safety concerns to maintain a safe shopping and working environment.

    AI could help, but needs extra software

Tasks AI can't do much of

  1. Apprehend shoplifters in accordance with guidelines.

    AI is unlikely to speed this up

  2. Verify proper functioning of physical security systems, such as closed-circuit televisions, alarms, sensor tag systems, or locks.

    AI is unlikely to speed this up

  3. Perform covert surveillance of areas susceptible to loss, such loading docks, distribution centers, or warehouses.

    AI is unlikely to speed this up

  4. Testify in civil or criminal court proceedings.

    AI is unlikely to speed this up

  5. Train establishment personnel in loss prevention activities.

    AI is unlikely to speed this up

Step 3

Jobs you could switch to

If you're thinking about a change, these are jobs your experience already fits—related work you could move into. Pick your area to see local options.

See related jobs in

The closest matches by the skills they use—each has projected openings in New York State, pays within reach of your job now, and is no more exposed to AI than your job. Each card shows what the move would take.

  • Private Detectives and Investigators

    Very similar work
    +12% pay311 openings/yrAbout as exposed as your job now

    Pays about 12% more—$60,641 vs your $54,029 here.

    What the move takes

    Usually requires a high school diploma or equivalent, with less than 5 years of experience, plus moderate-term on-the-job training.

    Getting ready typically takes one to two years.

    Skills you already have

    • English Language
    • Customer and Personal Service
    • Law and Government
    • Oral Comprehension
    • Problem Sensitivity

    New skills to build

    • Active Listening
  • First-line Supervisors of Security Workers

    Very similar work
    +14% pay825 openings/yrAbout as exposed as your job now

    Pays about 14% more—$61,403 vs your $54,029 here.

    What the move takes

    Usually requires a high school diploma or equivalent, with less than 5 years of experience.

    Getting ready typically takes up to about a year.

    Skills you already have

    • Public Safety and Security
    • English Language
    • Customer and Personal Service
    • Education and Training
    • Law and Government

    New skills to build

    • Psychology
    • Administrative
    • Administration and Management
    • Personnel and Human Resources
    • Engineering and Technology
  • Detectives and Criminal Investigators

    Very similar work
    +92% pay903 openings/yrAbout as exposed as your job now

    Pays about 92% more—$103,800 vs your $54,029 here.

    What the move takes

    Usually requires a high school diploma or equivalent, with less than 5 years of experience, plus moderate-term on-the-job training.

    Getting ready typically takes one to two years.

    Skills you already have

    • Public Safety and Security
    • English Language
    • Customer and Personal Service
    • Law and Government
    • Oral Comprehension

    New skills to build

    • Written Comprehension
    • Information Ordering
    • Active Listening
    • Reading Comprehension
    • Deductive Reasoning
  • Facilities Managers

    Similar work
    +147% pay1,181 openings/yrAbout as exposed as your job now

    Pays about 147% more—$133,553 vs your $54,029 here.

    What the move takes

    A step up—usually requires a bachelor's degree, with less than 5 years of experience.

    Getting ready typically takes one to two years.

    Skills you already have

    • Public Safety and Security
    • English Language
    • Customer and Personal Service
    • Education and Training
    • Oral Comprehension

    New skills to build

    • Building and Construction
    • Administration and Management
    • Management of Financial Resources
    • Mechanical
    • Management of Material Resources
  • Emergency Management Directors

    Similar work
    +74% pay116 openings/yrAbout as exposed as your job now

    Pays about 74% more—$94,125 vs your $54,029 here.

    What the move takes

    A step up—usually requires a bachelor's degree, with 5 years or more of experience.

    Getting ready typically takes two to four years.

    Skills you already have

    • Public Safety and Security
    • English Language
    • Customer and Personal Service
    • Education and Training
    • Law and Government

    New skills to build

    • Service Orientation
    • Complex Problem Solving
    • Communications and Media
    • Telecommunications
    • Geography
  • Management Analysts

    Somewhat similar work
    +111% pay9,427 openings/yrAbout as exposed as your job now

    Pays about 111% more—$114,128 vs your $54,029 here.

    What the move takes

    A step up—usually requires a bachelor's degree, with less than 5 years of experience.

    Getting ready typically takes two to four years.

    Skills you already have

    • English Language
    • Customer and Personal Service
    • Education and Training
    • Oral Comprehension
    • Problem Sensitivity

    New skills to build

    • Sales and Marketing
    • Operations Analysis
    • Economics and Accounting
    • Administration and Management
    • Sociology and Anthropology
  • Occupational Health and Safety Specialists

    Somewhat similar work
    +82% pay1,913 openings/yrAbout as exposed as your job now

    Pays about 82% more—$98,402 vs your $54,029 here.

    What the move takes

    A step up—usually requires a bachelor's degree.

    Getting ready typically takes two to four years.

    Skills you already have

    • English Language
    • Customer and Personal Service
    • Education and Training
    • Public Safety and Security
    • Oral Comprehension

    New skills to build

    • Chemistry
    • Biology
    • Engineering and Technology
    • Building and Construction
    • Physics
  • Occupational Health and Safety Technicians

    Somewhat similar work
    +32% pay181 openings/yrAbout as exposed as your job now

    Pays about 32% more—$71,589 vs your $54,029 here.

    What the move takes

    Usually requires a high school diploma or equivalent, plus moderate-term on-the-job training.

    Getting ready typically takes one to two years.

    Skills you already have

    • Public Safety and Security
    • English Language
    • Customer and Personal Service
    • Education and Training
    • Oral Comprehension

    New skills to build

    • Engineering and Technology
    • Physics
    • Chemistry
    • Building and Construction
    • Biology