Careers In Protective Service
An unfortunate reality is that crime is a part of society that will not ever be completely eliminated. Those who choose to work in many of the protective service careers dedicate themselves to minimizing the impact criminals have on the rest of society. Fire fighting professionals also work to protect the public, but their focus is on minimizing the impact of fires and other adversities.
Degree programs in criminal justice, law enforcement, police science, fire science and similar fields prepare individuals for careers in protective services. Employers prefer to hire candidates with this type of education although most will receive additional job training at a Police Academy, Fire Academy or other specialized institution.
The jobs below are those identified by BrainTrack as commonly requiring higher education either for entry or for advancement. Hyperlinked jobs go to detailed profiles, including lists of schools with relevant programs.
| Occupation | Jobs | Growth '08-'18 | Low - Median - High | Some College | Bachelor Degree+ |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Police And Sheriffs Patrol Officers | 642,000 | 9% | 51% | 32% | |
| Correctional Officers And Jailers | 455,000 | 9% | 49% | 12% | |
| Fire Fighters | 306,000 | 19% | 60% | 18% | |
| Detectives And Criminal Investigators | 110,000 | 17% | 38% | 52% | |
| Supervisors Of Police And Detectives | 100,000 | 8% | 46% | 38% | |
| Probation Officers | 93,000 | 19% | 31% | 52% | |
| Supervisors Of Fire Fighting And Prevention Workers | 58,000 | 8% | 59% | 22% | |
| Supervisors Of Correctional Officers | 46,000 | 9% | 47% | 25% | |
| Private Detectives And Investigators | 31,000 | 22% | 35% | 50% | |
| Fire Inspectors And Investigators | 12,000 | 9% | 47% | 29% | |
| Gaming Investigators | 8,000 | 12% | 39% | 15% | |
| Fish And Game Wardens | 8,000 | 8% | 35% | 32% | |
| Transit And Railroad Police | 4,000 | 5% | 51% | 32% | |
| Forest Fire Inspectors And Prevention Specialists | 2,000 | 8% | 47% | 29% |
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