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Will AI replace protective service jobs?

The 26 protective service jobs in the index score 29 out of 100 on average, which is moderate exposure to AI. That ranks the field #13 of 22, where #1 is the most exposed. Together these jobs employ about 4,655,290 people in the US.

Most exposed

Least exposed

All 26 protective service jobs, most exposed first

Scores run from 0 (AI can speed up almost none of the tasks) to 100 (almost all of them). How scores work.

#JobExposureLevelUS workersMedian pay
1Intelligence AnalystsProtective Service53Elevated114,430$93,790
2Customs and Border Protection OfficersProtective Service45Elevated670,520$76,210
3Gambling Surveillance Officers and Gambling InvestigatorsProtective Service44Elevated9,520$43,370
4First-Line Supervisors of Firefighting and Prevention WorkersProtective Service42Elevated99,140$93,530
5First-Line Supervisors of Security WorkersProtective Service40Elevated81,480$55,940
6Private Detectives and InvestigatorsProtective Service39Moderate35,580$51,220
7Retail Loss Prevention SpecialistsProtective Service38Moderate81,500$42,540
8Animal Control WorkersProtective Service35Moderate12,070$45,660
9Police Identification and Records OfficersProtective Service35Moderate114,430$93,790
10First-Line Supervisors of Police and DetectivesProtective Service33Moderate154,610$106,040
11Parking Enforcement WorkersProtective Service32Moderate9,050$46,730
12Detectives and Criminal InvestigatorsProtective Service32Moderate114,430$93,790
13Fire Inspectors and InvestigatorsProtective Service29Moderate13,800$75,920
14Fish and Game WardensProtective Service28Moderate5,770$74,060
15First-Line Supervisors of Correctional OfficersProtective Service28Moderate53,380$77,970
16Correctional Officers and JailersProtective Service26Moderate380,500$58,940
17Transportation Security ScreenersProtective Service26Moderate50,290$66,770
18Police and Sheriff's Patrol OfficersProtective Service25Moderate670,520$76,210
19Transit and Railroad PoliceProtective Service25Moderate4,390$90,230
20Forest Fire Inspectors and Prevention SpecialistsProtective Service22Moderate2,780$56,870
21School Bus MonitorsProtective Service17Low78,420$35,100
22Security GuardsProtective Service17Low1,283,470$38,020
23FirefightersProtective Service14Low345,990$59,280
24Crossing Guards and FlaggersProtective Service11Low94,360$38,100
25Lifeguards, Ski Patrol, and Other Recreational Protective Service WorkersProtective Service8Low157,550$33,580
26BailiffsProtective Service4Low17,310$56,600

Questions about protective service jobs and AI

Will AI replace protective service jobs?

Not as a whole. The 26 protective service jobs in the index have an average AI exposure score of 29 out of 100 (moderate), #13 of 22 fields. Exposure means parts of the work are likely to change, not that the jobs will disappear.

Which protective service jobs are most exposed to AI?

Intelligence Analysts (53/100), Customs and Border Protection Officers (45/100), Gambling Surveillance Officers and Gambling Investigators (44/100).

Which protective service jobs are safest from AI?

Bailiffs (4/100), Lifeguards, Ski Patrol, and Other Recreational Protective Service Workers (8/100), Crossing Guards and Flaggers (11/100).

How many people work in protective service jobs?

About 4,655,290 people in the US work in the jobs listed here (BLS, May 2025).

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