What it pays
Government survey numbers — not estimates, not ads.
Half of all Protective Service Workers, All Other in the U.S. earn more than $42,540 a year — the middle 80% land between $32,470 and $74,590. About 81,500 people in the U.S. do this work. Figures are for the U.S. occupation group “Protective Service Workers, All Other”. (U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics survey, published 2025.) In India, Service and sales workers earn about ₹15,575 a month on average — around ₹1.9 lakh a year (government PLFS survey via ILOSTAT, occupation-family figure).
$42,540typical pay / year
81,500people in this work
$74,590+top 10% earn
₹1.9 lakha year in India (family avg)
Think you get this job?Six quick questions on how it really works — with a hint and the reason behind every answer.
Test yourself →The work, task by task
These are the real jobs-to-be-done, not a wish list. Each task shows where we found it, and the prompt underneath is written for that exact task.
Analysing2
Analyze data to identify theft or fraud patterns
+Analyze the last six months of shipment, POS and incident logs to find repeat patterns of mismatched SKUs,…
Analyze data to identify theft or fraud patterns
+Analyze the last six months of shipment, POS and incident logs to find repeat patterns of mismatched SKUs, refund spikes, or employee overrides tied to specific registers and names, and flag suspects for a follow-up interview this week.
The tools that do the workMicrosoft ExcelStructured query language SQLjob descriptionsO*NET
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Implement inventory control measures
+Design and roll out a tightened inventory control plan that adds daily high-value item counts, mandatory…
Implement inventory control measures
+Design and roll out a tightened inventory control plan that adds daily high-value item counts, mandatory register receipt checks for returns, and a backroom access log, then send the procedures and implementation timeline to store managers for rollout next Monday.
The tools that do the workMicrosoft WordMicrosoft Exceljob descriptionsO*NET
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Protecting1
Collaborate with law enforcement agencies
+Coordinate an information-sharing packet for the local police narcotics and theft units containing incident…
Collaborate with law enforcement agencies
+Coordinate an information-sharing packet for the local police narcotics and theft units containing incident reports, timestamped CCTV stills, suspect descriptions and case numbers, propose a joint meeting for Tuesday to agree on next steps and evidence handover.
The tools that do the workCase management systemjob descriptionsO*NET
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Keeping the record2
Prepare written reports on investigations.
+Write a clear investigative report summarising the incident timeline, witness statements, recovered evidence,…
Prepare written reports on investigations.
+Write a clear investigative report summarising the incident timeline, witness statements, recovered evidence, loss estimate and recommended charges, then submit it to the regional loss prevention manager and copy legal before Friday close of business.
The tools that do the workMicrosoft Wordjob descriptionsO*NET
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Conduct audits of store premises
+Execute a full walk-through audit of the store today checking entry/exit points, blind spots, stockroom logs,…
Conduct audits of store premises
+Execute a full walk-through audit of the store today checking entry/exit points, blind spots, stockroom logs, signage and staff adherence to cash-handling rules, record failures on the audit form and schedule corrective training by the end of the week.
The tools that do the workMicrosoft ExcelESCOjob descriptions
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Learning1
Train employees on loss prevention techniques
+Prepare a one-hour practical training session for floor staff covering suspicious behaviour indicators,…
Train employees on loss prevention techniques
+Prepare a one-hour practical training session for floor staff covering suspicious behaviour indicators, receipt and return handling, and safe confrontation techniques, include a short quiz and roll it out with store supervisors on Thursday morning.
The tools that do the workMicrosoft PowerPointMicrosoft Wordjob descriptionsO*NET
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The daily work14
Recommend methods to reduce potential financial fraud losses.
+Draft a concise recommendation memo for the director listing five specific controls to cut theft and payment…
Recommend methods to reduce potential financial fraud losses.
+Draft a concise recommendation memo for the director listing five specific controls to cut theft and payment fraud losses—include estimated annual savings, implementation difficulty, responsible departments, and the quickest win to start next quarter.
The tools that do the workMicrosoft WordMicrosoft ExcelO*NET
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Inspect buildings, equipment, or access points to determine security risks.
+Write a one-page inspection report after my walk-through of the downtown store: note damaged locks, blind…
Inspect buildings, equipment, or access points to determine security risks.
+Write a one-page inspection report after my walk-through of the downtown store: note damaged locks, blind camera zones, unsecured loading bay, faulty exit alarm, and three recommended fixes with urgencies and who to task this week.
The tools that do the workCase management systemO*NET
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Train establishment personnel in loss prevention activities.
+Create a 60-minute training outline for floor supervisors on shrink prevention covering spotting suspicious…
Train establishment personnel in loss prevention activities.
+Create a 60-minute training outline for floor supervisors on shrink prevention covering spotting suspicious behaviour, safe confrontation, till audits, and reporting procedures, plus two short role-play scenarios and a one-page quick reference handout.
The tools that do the workMicrosoft PowerPointMicrosoft WordO*NET
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Testify in civil or criminal court proceedings.
+Prepare my sworn testimony draft for the upcoming hearing: timeline of incident, evidence I handled, chain of…
Testify in civil or criminal court proceedings.
+Prepare my sworn testimony draft for the upcoming hearing: timeline of incident, evidence I handled, chain of custody steps I followed, and concise answers to five likely cross-examination questions.
The tools that do the workMicrosoft WordO*NET
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Respond to critical incidents, such as catastrophic events, violent weather, or civil disorders.
+Compose an immediate action checklist and incident command note for today’s critical-incident response:…
Respond to critical incidents, such as catastrophic events, violent weather, or civil disorders.
+Compose an immediate action checklist and incident command note for today’s critical-incident response: secure perimeter, casualty triage points, evidence preservation steps, liaison with police and facilities, and next-24-hour priorities.
The tools that do the workCase management systemMicrosoft OutlookO*NET
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Conduct employee background investigations and review reports with operational or human resources managers.
+Draft a background-investigation brief for HR on a candidate of concern: summarize criminal-record checks,…
Conduct employee background investigations and review reports with operational or human resources managers.
+Draft a background-investigation brief for HR on a candidate of concern: summarize criminal-record checks, reference call notes, unexplained employment gaps, risk assessment, and recommended hiring restrictions to discuss at Friday’s review.
The tools that do the workEnterprise application integration EAIO*NET
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Detain offenders
+Hold the two shoplifters by the east exit, call store manager and security backup, read them their…
Detain offenders
+Hold the two shoplifters by the east exit, call store manager and security backup, read them their detained-rights script, secure their IDs and witness statements, photograph stolen goods and injuries, then complete and submit the incident report before shift end.
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Surveillance methods
+Set up covert observation on aisle seven and the fitting rooms for the afternoon shift, monitor suspicious…
Surveillance methods
+Set up covert observation on aisle seven and the fitting rooms for the afternoon shift, monitor suspicious individuals for patterns, log times and behaviours, capture video clips of theft attempts, and hand the surveillance log and clips to investigations by 5pm.
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Monitor CCTV footage for suspicious activity
+Watch the live CCTV wall for the next two-hour shift, flag and tag any loitering, unusual entry after hours,…
Monitor CCTV footage for suspicious activity
+Watch the live CCTV wall for the next two-hour shift, flag and tag any loitering, unusual entry after hours, or tailgating incidents with time, camera ID, and brief description, and immediately alert the floor supervisor if escalation is needed.
The tools that do the workAspect Loss Prevention Aspect EliteLPjob descriptions
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Identify potential security vulnerabilities
+Walk the sales floor checklists with a focus on blind spots, unattended exits, package drop zones, and…
Identify potential security vulnerabilities
+Walk the sales floor checklists with a focus on blind spots, unattended exits, package drop zones, and merchandise displays, record three highest-risk vulnerabilities with photo evidence and recommended fixes, and send to store manager by end of day.
The tools that do the workCase management systemjob descriptions
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Ensure public safety and security
+Patrol the front and back of the store during opening hours, engage staff on floor coverage, log crowding or…
Ensure public safety and security
+Patrol the front and back of the store during opening hours, engage staff on floor coverage, log crowding or hazardous conditions, remove immediate threats, and update the daily safety checklist before shift handover.
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Confront offenders
+Approach the individual calmly when suspicious behaviour is observed, identify yourself, state reason for…
Confront offenders
+Approach the individual calmly when suspicious behaviour is observed, identify yourself, state reason for stop, attempt verbal deterrence, and if noncompliant escalate to detainment procedure while calling for backup.
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Identify suspicious behaviour
+Observe customer movements for repeated aisle returns, concealment gestures, or odd dressing for weather,…
Identify suspicious behaviour
+Observe customer movements for repeated aisle returns, concealment gestures, or odd dressing for weather, note three behavioral indicators with timestamps and camera IDs, then cross-check recent loss reports for patterns.
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Interrogate individuals
+Bring the individual to a private office, read them the store questioning policy, ask focused open questions…
Interrogate individuals
+Bring the individual to a private office, read them the store questioning policy, ask focused open questions about their activity, record answers verbatim, and file a signed witness statement before releasing or detaining per policy.
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Says who?
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The logs, files & records this job keeps
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Same family of work — each with its own tasks and prompts.
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Built on public evidence: O*NET®, ESCO, Wikipedia, U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, ILOSTAT. All sources & licenses
Built on public evidence: O*NET®, ESCO, Wikipedia, U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, ILOSTAT. All sources & licenses